What are the signs of premature birth?

Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
Updated on February 06, 2025
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Under normal circumstances, during preterm labor, there may first be regular uterine contractions accompanied by continuous cervical dilation. This situation should be considered a possible onset of preterm labor. Generally, the period from after 28 weeks to before 37 weeks of gestation is considered the possible range for preterm labor to occur. Therefore, if there are symptoms like regular abdominal pain, backache, or a feeling of heaviness, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly. When needed, local physical therapy, symptomatic treatment, or administration of medications to sustain the pregnancy can effectively alleviate the symptoms.

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Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is a uterus in the mediastinum prone to preterm birth?

Women with a septate uterus, if pregnant, are much more likely to experience premature birth compared to women with a normal uterus. The normal uterine cavity size accommodates the development of the embryo until full term. However, the likelihood of premature birth varies depending on the development of the septate uterus. Once diagnosed with a septate uterus, extra caution is needed during pregnancy, especially avoiding intercourse in the late stages of pregnancy to prevent premature birth, as the risks associated with preterm infants are significantly higher than those for full-term infants. Therefore, pregnant women with a septate uterus need to pay extra attention.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Will swollen feet during pregnancy lead to premature birth?

Swelling of the feet is a common clinical symptom after pregnancy, but generally, foot swelling is not directly related to preterm birth. However, sometimes, if pathological factors cause foot swelling, it may lead to preterm birth. The most common cause of foot swelling during pregnancy is the increased size of the uterus compressing the veins and arteries in the pelvis, causing obstruction of venous return, which leads to swelling of the feet. However, this is a physiological change and does not cause preterm birth. Pathological factors, such as hypertension during pregnancy or renal diseases during pregnancy, might cause generalized edema. If the condition is severe, medical intervention for medically induced preterm birth may be required. However, it is the primary disease that causes preterm birth, not the swelling of the feet.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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Are the twins premature?

The likelihood of premature birth is higher in twins than in singletons, but this does not mean that all twins will be born prematurely. In the case of twins, there are two children in the uterus. Generally, the combined weight of two children is more than that of one. Additionally, there might be more amniotic fluid and a larger placental area. Therefore, the contents of the uterus occupy more volume, and when the uterus is stretched to a certain extent, its sensitivity increases. As a result, some may experience contractions and give birth prematurely before reaching 37 weeks of pregnancy.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Causes of Premature Birth

Generally, there are many reasons that can cause symptoms of preterm birth. Normally, due to reasons such as cervical dilation, or the occurrence of regular abdominal pain, preterm labor may be induced. In some cases, long-term vaginal inflammatory conditions can lead to premature rupture of membranes, or cervical canal dilation may also cause preterm birth. If symptoms of preterm birth occur at present, it is necessary to actively suppress contractions, protect the fetus, and provide symptomatic treatment. If this is ineffective, it is advisable to actively prepare for rescuing and caring for the newborn.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How many weeks early can a premature baby survive?

Preterm birth refers to births that occur after 28 weeks of pregnancy but before 37 weeks. Preterm infants have lower resistance compared to full-term infants and generally require special care to survive. The survival rate varies with the gestational age: at 32 to 33 weeks, the survival rate can reach 95%; at 28 to 31 weeks, it is between 90% and 95%; at 26 weeks, it is around 80%; and at 27 weeks, it is about 90%. After 34 weeks of pregnancy, the survival rate of the baby is very high, almost the same as that of a full-term baby.