Preventing premature labour or delivery is a major concern for all perinatal health professionals. Premature labour is a concern for all pregnant women.

What is premature labour?

Premature (or preterm) labour is labour experienced before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. A normal term pregnancy ranges between 37 and 42 weeks. Preterm labour takes the form of regular contractions that may cause the cervix to begin to dilate (open) or stretch (shorten or thin).

• Can you recognize the signs of premature labour?
• Can you recognize premature contractions?
• Would you know what to do in the event of premature labour?

Information on preventing premature labour will allow the pregnant woman and her family to be better educated, allay any fears they may have regarding her condition, and encourage them to see a healthcare provider as soon as premature labour symptoms appear. Happy reading and viewing!