Title: Preterm (Premature) Labor: Signs, Risks, Causes, and More
Headings: Preterm Labor and Birth -- The Basics Explained
Preterm Labor and Birth -- The Basics Explained
In this Article
What Causes Preterm Labor?
How Does Early Birth Affect a Baby?
Your Pregnancy This Week!

Content: Doctors often don't know exactly why it happens. And about half the time, there’s no known cause. If you’ve had one preterm baby, you’re likely to have another. Other factors include: High blood pressure in pregnancy ( preeclampsia)
An ongoing (chronic) condition like kidney disease, heart disease, or diabetes
Carrying more than one baby
A problem with your uterus or cervix
Being younger than 17 or older than 35
An infection
Being seriously underweight at the time you got pregnant
Smoking
Using cocaine or other street drugs
Several miscarriages or abortions in the past
Not getting prenatal care from a qualified health care professional
A cervical infection
Jobs that require heavy, physical work
Stressful life events like the death of a loved one or domestic violence
Physical injury or trauma
How Does Early Birth Affect a Baby? Not every preterm baby has health problems. But some that do need to stay in the hospital longer than those who go full term. They may spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they can get round-the-clock care. Breathing is a common problem for preemies, because their lungs aren’t fully developed. Your baby may need to help from a ventilator, a machine that helps them breathe.