If you have regular, painful uterine contractions and changes in your cervix between your 20th and 36th weeks of pregnancy, you are having preterm labor. It is also called premature labor.
Preterm labor can lead to delivery of a premature baby.
The premature baby may die at birth or may require specialized treatment in an intensive care nursery. Even with intensive treatment, the premature baby may die or may have chronic lung disease or other serious problems. Preterm labor can sometimes be controlled with bed rest or medication and does not always result in premature delivery of the baby. Follow all of your doctor's instructions very carefully so that your baby can be born in the best condition possible. Preterm labor seldom has a recognizable cause.