{"id":3397,"date":"2025-11-01T16:51:28","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T14:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vythoulkas.ro\/ce-este-travaliul-prematur-si-cum-il-recunosti\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T17:38:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T15:38:34","slug":"what-preterm-labor-is-and-how-to-recognize-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vythoulkas.ro\/en\/what-preterm-labor-is-and-how-to-recognize-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What Preterm Labor Is and How to Recognize It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/a>A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. Unlike the harmless Braxton-Hicks contractions (also known as \u201cpractice contractions\u201d or \u201cfalse labor\u201d), preterm labor can lead to premature birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preterm labor can occur between 20 and 37 weeks of pregnancy and may result in a preterm birth, which is not desirable. Complications vary depending on the gestational age at delivery. While some babies born at 23\u201326 weeks do survive, the earlier the birth occurs, the lower the chances of survival. A premature infant may experience respiratory difficulties due to immature lungs, apnea, intracranial bleeding, fluid accumulation in the brain, vision, hearing or gastrointestinal problems, neurological issues, or even cerebral palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n\n
\n

\n \u201cYou deserve to be heard, seen, treated with respect, and supported throughout your life.\u201d <\/h2>\n \n <\/div>\n\n
\n
\n \"Ilustra\u021bie\n <\/div>\n \n
\n \"Ilustra\u021bie\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

Several factors can increase the risk of preterm labor, although the exact causes are not fully understood. Risk factors include multiple pregnancy, maternal and fetal stress (with cortisol potentially triggering early contractions), socio-economic factors, lifestyle, genetic predispositions, urinary, renal or vaginal infections, obesity, and pregnancy under age 18 or over 35. A short interval between pregnancies (less than 6\u20139 months from birth to the next conception) can also increase the risk. Unfortunately, preterm labor can sometimes occur without an identifiable cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Recognize Preterm Labor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is crucial to identify the warning signs and symptoms of preterm labor early to seek urgent medical care. Doctors may attempt to stop preterm labor with medication, but this is not suitable for all pregnant women and is not always effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning signs and symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n