What Is Preterm Labor and Premature Birth?
A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks after the first day of the last period (38 weeks after fertilization). Contractions and dilation (opening) of the cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy is called preterm labor. Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are called premature babies. The danger of preterm labor is that it may lead to the premature birth of a baby that has not fully developed, and therefore the baby has a higher risk of problems. About 10% of all pregnancies result in premature birth. The majority of serious complications or infant deaths are due to consequences of premature birth. Unfortunately, the number of babies born prematurely in the U.S. has risen in recent years. Preterm labor can be extremely frightening, because parents-to-be quite naturally fear that their baby will be born too early and suffer the problems of prematurity. If your baby is born too soon, there is a good chance that his or her lungs will be underdeveloped. If so, he or she will need to be put
