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 Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Causes of Premature Birth

There are many causes of preterm birth, such as cervical loosening during pregnancy, gynecological inflammations, underdeveloped uterus, congenital uterine malformations, and uterine fibroids, as well as pregnancy-related hypertension and diabetes, which can also lead to preterm labor. Additionally, carrying twins can increase uterine tension and potentially cause preterm birth. Other factors include long-distance travel, fatigue, emotional fluctuations, family relocation, abdominal trauma, prolonged standing, high psychological stress, advanced maternal age, and placental abruption during pregnancy, all of which can contribute to the occurrence of preterm birth.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What is the earliest month that premature birth can occur?

Under normal circumstances, the entire childbirth process for a fetus is divided into three stages: early pregnancy, middle pregnancy, and late pregnancy. Generally, fetal development between 28 to 40 weeks is considered a viable period. During this time, if delivery occurs, the baby's chances of survival are very high. However, normally, a fetus between 37 to 40 weeks is considered full-term, so babies born before 37 weeks are referred to as premature. Premature babies need close monitoring of their developmental status after a normal delivery to avoid potential complications.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can premature birth be natural delivery?

Whether a vaginal delivery is possible in the case of preterm labor depends on the condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus, including the woman's birth canal, labor strength, the size and position of the fetus, among other factors. Generally, during a medical visit, a doctor will measure the woman's pelvis to roughly determine whether vaginal delivery is feasible. Women who experience preterm labor should go to the hospital for timely medical care and choose a hospital equipped for emergency services. If preterm delivery occurs, the baby's respiratory function may be relatively weak, necessitating the use of special equipment to assist breathing.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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How to induce lactation in premature births

The lactation induction for premature births is actually the same as for full-term births. First and foremost, it starts with the individual. Through diet, the amount of breast milk can be increased, for example, by consuming more soups, such as rice porridge, noodle soup, milk, and soy milk. Since 90% of breast milk is water, replenishing water is essential for sufficient milk supply. Additionally, it is important to keep a pleasant mood. The mother should be happy and have enough sleep, as these factors can help increase milk production. Moreover, it is important to let the baby nurse more frequently and intensively, because the act of breastfeeding stimulates the breasts as a reflex. The more frequently and the more the baby nurses, the more milk is produced through this reflex. What should one do if the baby is premature and in pediatrics? In such cases, it's necessary to pump milk every 3 hours. Pumping itself also creates stimulation that promotes milk secretion.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Premature birth refers to childbirth happening before the normal completion of pregnancy, specifically before 37 weeks of gestation.

Premature birth, as the name implies, occurs when labor happens too early. Premature birth is generally defined by gestational age, specifically when delivery occurs between 28 and 36 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. In contrast, miscarriage refers to delivery before 28 weeks; full-term birth refers to delivery between 37 and 41 weeks and 6 days; and post-term birth refers to delivery after 42 weeks of pregnancy. Premature birth can be quite harmful to the fetus, as during this period the fetus is smaller in size and less mature. If premature birth occurs, the survival rate of the fetus is relatively low. Causes of premature birth in clinical practice include vaginal inflammation, premature rupture of membranes, twin pregnancy, and shortened cervical canal. Therefore, prevention of premature birth should target these underlying causes.