Premature labour

How to spot the signs and what happens next

• Your labour is premature if it starts before 37 completed weeks
• Around 7 per cent of babies are born prematurely
• Only about 1.5 per cent of premature babies are born before 32 weeks
• Babies born after 30 weeks are unlikely to suffer any long-term problems
• About 20-40 per cent of premature births are thought to be caused by infection
• You are more likely to have a premature baby if you smoke

Potential signs of premature labour

• Your waters breaking
• Low abdominal or back pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Regular contractions
• A show

What to do

• Get in touch with your midwife or maternity unit immediately and ask their advice

At the maternity unit

• Doctors will check for infection and to see if your amniotic fluid is leaking
• If your waters have gone, they will check that the umbilical cord isn’t being squashed by your baby’s head (prolapsed)
• If you are 35 weeks or less you may be given a steroid injection to mature your baby’s lungs
• If your contractions are strong or your baby is at risk doctors will deliver either vaginally or by caesarean
• If your waters are intact and your contractions are mild, you will be given a drug to stop the contractions and you’ll be put on bed rest

If your baby is born prematurely

• They may be taken to a special care baby unit
• You and your baby may need to be transferred to a different hospital
• If needed your baby will be given help with breathing and feeding
• You will be involved in their care as much as possible
• Most premature babies suffer no long-term problems from their early birth
• For more information about premature birth go to www.bliss.org.uk.