Title: Preterm labor and premature birth: Are you at risk?
Headings: Preterm labor and premature birth: Are you at risk?
Preterm labor and premature birth: Are you at risk?
KEY POINTS
signs and symptoms of
preterm labor
What are preterm labor and premature birth?
What are the signs and symptoms of preterm labor?
Are you at risk for preterm labor and premature birth?
These three risk factors make you most likely to have preterm labor and give birth early:
Medical risk factors before pregnancy for preterm labor and premature birth
Medical risk factors during pregnancy for preterm labor and premature birth
Risk factors in your everyday life for preterm labor and premature birth
Age and race as risk factors for preterm labor and premature birth
Can you reduce your risk for preterm labor and premature birth?
Last reviewed: March, 2018

Content: Being pregnant with a baby who has certain birth defects, like heart defects or spina bifida. Birth defects are health conditions that are present at birth. They change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. Birth defects can cause problems in overall health, how the body develops or how the body works. Spina bifida is a birth defect of the spine. Risk factors in your everyday life for preterm labor and premature birth
Smoking, drinking alcohol, using street drugs or abusing prescription drugs
Having a lot of stress in your life. Low socioeconomic status (also called SES). SES is a combination of things like your education, your job and your income (how much money you make). Domestic violence. This is when your partner hurts or abuses you.