A full-term pregnancy is typically around 40 weeks. Even so, some pregnant women can deliver earlier than their expected due dates.

Premature birth refers to signs of labor such as uterus contractions and cervical dilation that appear before 37 weeks of pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, several factors are associated with increased risks to premature birth:

• History of premature birth in a previous pregnancy

• Pregnancy with twins, triplets, or more

• Shortened cervix

• Medical conditions involving the uterus or placenta

• Smoking habits

• Infections such as amniotic fluid infection or a urinary tract infection

• Chronic conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune disease, or depression

• Stressful events such as the loss of a loved one

• Excessive amniotic fluid

• Bleeding during pregnancy

• Birth defects

• Pregnancy intervals that are too short (under 12 months) or too long (more than 59 months)

As reported by Healthline, social factors can also raise the risk of premature birth:

• Maternal age under 16 or over 40 years old

• Pregnancy outside of marriage

• Physical and emotional abuse

• Alcohol or drug use and smoking during pregnancy

• Lack of support from family and loved ones

• Exposure to chemicals or pollutants

• Working overtime

How to Prevent Premature Birth

Premature birth cannot be stopped instantly, but healthy daily habits can lower the risk of this condition. As outlined by the Mayo Clinic, the following steps may help:

• Having regular prenatal checkups

• Eating healthy foods

• Avoiding harmful chemicals

• Spacing pregnancies appropriately

• Managing the likelihood of multiple fetuses in pregnancy if the parents are trying to conceive twins

• Controlling chronic health conditions

Diagnosis

If you have regular uterine contractions and your cervix begins to dilate before 37 weeks, seek a medical assessment. To determine whether labor is approaching or whether another complication is present, several tests are commonly needed, including:

• Checking cervical dilation

• Ultrasound assessment of the fetus

• Monitoring uterine activity to measure contraction duration and spacing

• Laboratory tests

Treatments

If evaluation indicates that birth is imminent, no medication or procedure can fully stop it. However, to improve outcomes for the baby and lower the risk of stillbirth, doctors may prescribe:

• Corticosteroids to help the fetal lungs mature so the baby will be better prepared if they are born early

• Magnesium sulfate when preterm birth is likely to reduce the risk of brain injury in premature infants

• Tocolytics to slow or space contractions, often given before corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate to allow time for those medicines to work

Preterm birth should not be managed at home. If you experience persistent contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy, go to a hospital with comprehensive facilities for immediate care.

Looking for more information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, women's and children's health? Click here!