What causes preterm labor and how to help reduce the risks

1. What is preterm labor?

A baby needs around 40 weeks in the womb to grow and develop. If you go into labor before 37 weeks, then it’s called a preterm labor. And if your baby is born before 37 weeks, then it’s called a premature birth. Having a preterm labor can result in a premature birth. And because premature babies—sometimes known as ‘preemie’ babies—may not be fully developed, they may need special care.

2. What are the causes of and risk factors for preterm labor?

It’s not always possible to know what causes a preterm labor, but there are risk factors that make the chances of giving birth early more likely. The top three are if you’ve previously given birth to a premature baby, if you’re expecting multiples like twins or triplets, and if you have or have had problems with your womb or cervix that may make a preterm labor more likely. There are also medical conditions before and during pregnancy that can increase the risk of premature labor, as well as factors to do with age, race, and lifestyle.

3. A healthy lifestyle for preventing preterm labor

Many lifestyle factors can have an impact on the risks of having a premature labor. Being overweight or underweight can both increase them, so try to get to, and stick to, a healthy weight before and during pregnancy. Follow a healthy diet—you might also want to take a prenatal vitamin before and during pregnancy to make sure you’re meeting your body’s vitamin and mineral needs, such as for folic acid, in growing a baby. Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs. Do something every day to keep your body active. Have a look at how much exercise is recommended in each pregnancy trimester in our article What exercise can I do and when? Seek out good prenatal care and address any chronic health conditions you may have early on. Protect yourself as much as you can from infections. And last but not least, do what you can to reduce stress in your life. Read our checklist on How to cope with first trimester anxiety for some helpful tips. Following these steps will give you and your baby the best start for pregnancy and beyond.

4. If you’re at risk of a preterm labor: what you can do

If you’ve been told you’re more at risk of having a preterm labor, or if you’re concerned that you might be, speak with your healthcare provider (HCP). They may want to monitor you and your baby more closely for issues with your baby’s development and/or signs of preterm labor so that they can treat you accordingly. They may also suggest lifestyle changes you could make to help minimize the risk of going into early labor. Experiencing a lot of stress can increase the likelihood of having a preterm labor and premature birth, so it’s worth doing what you can to manage it. Taking steps like informing yourself through trustworthy sources, getting support from organizations that focus on premature birth, taking an online tour of a neo-natal unit, and preparing yourself for hospital and the practical considerations of feeding a premature baby can all help reduce anxiety and give you back a sense of control. Read our article on Kangaroo care: How to take care of your preterm baby to learn about the importance of skin-to-skin contact between parents and premature babies and how it can help with both feeding and bonding.

5. Planning to get pregnant again? Don’t rush into it

If you’ve given birth already and are planning another baby, it’s best to wait at least 18 months before trying again. This is because your body needs time to recover from giving birth, and getting pregnant before then can increase the risk of having a preterm labor. If you’re over 35 or have had a miscarriage or still birth, speak to your HCP about how long it would be best to wait before trying to get pregnant again.

Sources

https://www.bliss.org.uk/parents/about-your-baby/before-birth (Accessed October 12 2020)
https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/preterm-labor-and-premature-… (Accessed October 12 2020)
https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/how-long-should-you-wait-before-… (Accessed October 12 2020)
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy/complications/prem-birth/risk-prematur… (Accessed October 12 2020)
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/pr… (Accessed October 12 2020)
Last revised: October, 2022