Do contractions easily lead to premature birth?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on December 29, 2024
00:00
00:00

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

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
45sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
45sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
57sec home-news-image

How to prevent preterm birth

The causes of preterm birth are numerous, and prevention mainly involves addressing these causes. For etiological reasons, proactive treatment of some chronic diseases is necessary. For pregnant women with a history of preterm birth, it is crucial to pay close attention two to three weeks before the previous preterm birth date. They should avoid overexertion, abstain from sexual activity, and rest in bed until the expected due date. It is also important to identify the causes of preterm birth, such as cervical insufficiency. If so, a cerclage surgery can be performed around the 14th week of pregnancy. If a pregnant woman shows signs of labor or preterm birth, she should be given oxygen immediately, and an injection of vitamin K should be administered to prevent intracranial hemorrhage in the newborn.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
57sec home-news-image

What are the signs of premature birth?

Preterm birth refers to delivery occurring between the 28th and 36th week +6 days of pregnancy. Firstly, it is advised to prioritize prevention and identify the symptoms of preterm labor as early as possible to allow for early treatment. Signs of preterm labor include the following aspects: First, the occurrence of regular contractions, such as 4 contractions within 20 minutes or 8 contractions within 60 minutes, with each contraction lasting more than a minute; second, the appearance of a small amount of bloody show, which is a sign of imminent labor; third, many times pregnant women will experience a significant feeling of heaviness. Upon examination, cervical dilation and a shortening of the cervical canal may be found. When these symptoms appear, it is important to rest in bed promptly and undergo treatment with medications.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
41sec home-news-image

Premature birth is how many weeks?

Under normal circumstances, embryos that develop from 28 to 40 weeks are considered viable, and babies born during this period generally have a good survival ability. However, babies born before 37 weeks of amenorrhea are generally considered premature. Therefore, babies born between 28 weeks and 36 weeks plus 6 days are considered premature. Premature babies, due to the immaturity of their organs and systems, are prone to complications. If the baby has already been born, it is recommended to actively pursue appropriate premature care and symptomatic treatment.