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: Low birthweight is when a baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. These three risk factors make you most likely to have preterm labor and give birth early: You’ve had a premature baby in the past. You’re pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets or more). You have problems with your uterus or cervix now or you’ve had them in the past. Your uterus (also called the womb) is where your baby grows inside you. Medical risk factors before pregnancy for preterm labor and premature birth
Being underweight or overweight before pregnancy. This can include having an eating disorder, like anorexia or bulimia. Having a family history of premature birth. This means someone in your family (like your mother, grandmother or sister) has had a premature baby.