Woman holding her pregnant belly.

Preterm Labour and Birth

Home Health and Wellness PregnancyPreterm Labour and Birth

Preterm labour is labour that starts before 37 weeks.

Signs that you may be having preterm labour

Bad cramps (like when you had your period) or stomach pains that don't go away.
Lower back pain or pressure, or a change in your lower backache.
Feeling that the baby is pushing down.
Increase in the amount of discharge from your vagina (blood, water or mucous).
You think your water has broken or you feel a gush of fluid from your vagina. Your underwear may also feel more wet than usual.
A feeling that something is not right.

For more information, read the resource Preterm labour: signs and symptoms.

Where do I get help?

Go to the hospital right away if you think you are in preterm labour. Call an ambulance or have someone drive you.

You should also seek immediate medical attention if you have:

Fever.
Chills.
Dizziness.
Nausea.
A bad headache.
Blurry vision or spots before your eyes.
Sudden or acute swelling of your hands, feet or face.
A change in your baby's movement.

Are preterm labour contractions any different?

Yes, preterm labour contractions can feel different than the normal tightening you might feel in the second half of your pregnancy, such as:

They may feel more regular.
They do not go away if you rest or when you move around.
You might have other signs such as leaking from the vagina or pelvic pressure.

What is preterm labour?

A normal or term pregnancy lasts 37 to 42 weeks. Labour is what happens when contractions (tightening) cause the cervix (the opening to the womb) to open. Babies born too early can have serious health problems. Sometimes it can be stopped or slowed down by medications and bed rest.

Preterm labour can happen to anyone. Even if you do "all the right things," preterm labour can still happen. Some women are more likely than others to have preterm labour or birth due to risk factors.

Risk factors

You had a preterm labour or birth in the past.
You have had several miscarriages.
You have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or certain sexually-transmitted infections.
Your water breaks before 37 weeks.
You are pregnant with more than one baby.
You were underweight before getting pregnant or you are not gaining enough weight now that you are pregnant.
You smoke or take illegal drugs.
You are under 18 or over 35-years old.
You have a lot of stress or violence in your life.
You do very hard work either at home or at your job.
You stand for long periods of time at work.
You have had less than six to nine months between last having a baby and getting pregnant.

Reduce your chances of preterm labour and birth

Although you can't always prevent preterm labour from happening, there are things you can do to help your baby be born at the right time:

Start prenatal care as early as possible.
See your health care provider regularly.
If you smoke, try to quit or cut down.
Follow Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide.
Listen to your body. Notice when things don't feel right.
If you need help with tobacco, drugs or violence, talk to your health care provider.