Signs of premature labour: are you at risk?

As anyone who has given birth will know, babies will make their entrance when they’re good and ready. 

And in some cases, that means they can surprise you and come early! 

While most pregnancies last 40 weeks. If your baby is born at less than 37 weeks, this is called premature birth. 

Thankfully, if your baby is born prematurely, there is a very good chance they will survive and with time, they will thrive.

In fact, Pregnancy Birth & Baby said: “In Australia, almost 1 in every 10 babies is born prematurely. Most Australian premature babies are born between 32 and 36 weeks and don’t have any serious long-term problems.”

What causes premature birth?

Unfortunately, the cause of premature birth isn’t known. But there are some risk factors that experts believe could contribute, such as:

• a history of premature birth
• multiple pregnancies
• the mother has a problem with her uterus or cervix
• infection
• a medical condition that means the baby must be delivered early, such as pre-eclampsia
• gestational diabetes.

Signs of premature labour

If you experience any of the following signs of premature labour, contact your doctor or midwife as soon as possible. 

The signs of premature labour include:

• cramping in the lower abdomen
• pressure in the pelvis, as if the baby is pushing down
• fluid leaking from your vagina or your waters breaking
• Increased discharge
• diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
• regular contractions
• a backache that won’t go away even if you change positions. 

What happens if you go into labour prematurely?

If you do go into labour before 37 weeks, doctors might be able to slow down or stop contractions, which is especially important if you need to be transferred to a hospital that has a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). 

Additionally, Pregnancy Birth & Baby says, “You may also receive injections of corticosteroids 12 to 24 hours before the birth to help your baby’s lungs function more efficiently.”

As long as your baby is still happy and growing and the placenta is still healthy, then each extra day your baby stays inside your womb, the better. 

If you or someone you know needs support, contact: 

• Miracle Babies Foundation’s 24-hour support line on 1300 622 243.
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436