Do contractions easily lead to premature birth?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on December 29, 2024
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There are two types of contractions. The first type is false labor contractions, which occur in the late stages of pregnancy. They generally happen more in the evening or afternoon and disappear in the morning. The true labor contractions are regular and intensify in waves, accompanied by an increase in vaginal discharge or spotting. If it's false labor, rest can usually improve the condition, and it's not a concern. However, some people, due to extreme anxiety, may experience frequent false labor contractions. In such cases, our general approach is still to recommend treatment for pregnancy maintenance. If it's true labor, there is definitely a possibility of premature birth.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Does premature birth hypoxia affect intelligence?

Under normal circumstances, if a preterm infant suffers from hypoxia, severe cases may have an impact on future intelligence. However, if preterm infants experience hypoxia after childbirth, they generally receive oxygen therapy, which also affects their intelligence to some extent. Therefore, in daily life, it is still necessary to strengthen the care of preterm infants, adjust their diet, and after oxygenation, appropriately supplement DHA and other substances that can promote brain development and effectively improve issues such as delayed brain development in infants and toddlers.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What are the signs of premature birth?

After 29 weeks of pregnancy, if the baby is born prematurely, it is called preterm birth. When preterm labor occurs, there are some early signs, mainly manifesting as the onset of abdominal pain, which is persistent and gradually worsens. Additionally, due to the contraction of the uterus, the abdomen becomes hard and localized muscle tension occurs, leading to a feeling of swelling. Moreover, when the amniotic fluid ruptures, the pregnant mother will feel a flow of liquid from the vagina and there will be an increase in intestinal activity compared to usual, along with some abnormal vaginal discharge. These are some of the signs of preterm labor.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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How many months premature can survive?

Premature infants are those born between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation. Due to the incomplete development of various organ functions, premature infants are prone to a range of complications after birth, which can be severe and may even lead to death. Generally, the survival rate of premature infants is higher if they reach at least seven months, or 28 weeks, of gestation. If premature birth is inevitable, it is recommended to seek medical care at a qualified institution with specialized neonatal resuscitation wards to enhance the chances of the infant's survival. Generally, the chances of survival significantly increase when care is received at such medical facilities.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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Does placenta previa cause preterm birth?

Placenta previa is likely to lead to premature birth. Why is that? Placenta previa refers to the condition where the placenta is positioned lower in the uterus, and the most common symptom is recurrent, painless bleeding during pregnancy. This is because the low-lying placenta often leads to frequent bleeding. If the bleeding is minimal, there is still hope to maintain the pregnancy, allowing the fetus to grow longer inside the uterus. However, in the event of heavy bleeding, if the baby remains in the uterus without delivery, a critical situation can arise due to blood loss, potentially leading to the disappearance of fetal heart activity. At this point, the pregnancy would need to be terminated, thus often resulting in premature birth.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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Premature birth: Cesarean section or natural delivery?

Whether to opt for cesarean or vaginal delivery for preterm birth needs a comprehensive grasp of the pregnant woman's entire condition before assessing and deciding on the mode of childbirth. First, it's necessary to check if the woman has any complications and the severity of these complications, as well as whether her physical condition allows for vaginal delivery. Additionally, the changes in fetal heart rate must be considered. If the fetal heart rate is particularly poor, and the duration of vaginal delivery is long such that the child cannot endure it, then a cesarean section may be needed. Beyond these conditions, it is also important to evaluate the state of the pelvis, the size of the fetus, and the condition of the cervix. Generally, if vaginal delivery is possible for preterm births, it is still encouraged.