Preterm Labour
Preterm labour is labour that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy (a full-term pregnancy lasts 37 to 42 weeks). Preterm labour occurs in 5-10% of all pregnancies and premature babies account for over 70% of all infant deaths and illnesses in Canada.
Babies born too early may:
- have problems with breathing, eating and growing
- ne more likely to get infections
- need special medical care
- have a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- have long-term health problems
Preterm labour may feel like pressure in the pelvic area, as if the baby is pushing down. Signs of preterm labour include:
- regular contractions that may or may not be painful
- bleeding or leaking fluid from your vagina
- period-like or stomach cramps with or without diarrhea
- low, dull backache
- pressure in the pelvic area (like the baby is pushing down)
If you feel like things are “not right”, go to your doctor. If symptoms worsen, go to the hospital.
To reduce the risk of preterm labour:
- get early and regular prenatal care
- choose healthy foods more often
- get lots of rest
- avoid alcohol, tobacco and other drugs when pregnant
- learn about the signs of preterm labour
- find healthy ways of dealing with stress
For more information on preterm labour, please refer to our on-line Resource Catalogue for resources.
