Premature labor is labor that occurs more than three weeks before your due date (or before 37 weeks). A small amount of bleeding, called a bloody show and a sign that the cervix is starting to open; cramping (especially regular contractions that increase in severity and frequency despite rest and hydration); and leaking fluid are possible signs of early labor. One in 10 pregnancies experience premature labor, and urgent treatment and prevention is important. Some preventable causes of premature labor are infections, such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia and bacterial vaginosis, and drug use, including cocaine and methamphetamines. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of early labor, drink some water, lie down and see if the symptoms continue.

It is very common to experience some contractions in later pregnancy – these Braxton-Hicks contractions are considered false labor because they do not dilate the cervix and are not a sign of early labor. Think about these as the body's dress rehearsal for labor. You can tell these apart from real labor by the fact that they are irregular; they do not get closer together; they stop when you change position or rest; and they are generally only felt across your belly, not in your back.

Women with preterm labor are observed closely, since every single day that the baby is able to stay inside the uterus improves its survival. Hydration, bed rest and some medications can help slow or stop labor. At a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit, survival of the fetus at 23 weeks is possible, but the rates of death and significant illness are still very high. Preventing early labor is key.

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