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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Premature Labor
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Diagnosis & Tests
How is the condition diagnosed?
A woman who notices any of the signs of premature labor should see the healthcare provider right away. The cervix is checked immediately to see whether it has begun to change. This is the only way to know for sure if preterm labor has begun.
Mobile home monitoring is also available to help identify preterm labor. The woman wears a uterine contraction monitor several times a day. A recording of the contractions is sent by phone to a central unit so it can be evaluated by doctors or nurses.
Fetal monitoring is used to record the heartbeat of the fetus and the contractions of the uterus. Pregnancy ultrasound may also be used to estimate the size and age of the baby and to see where it is in the uterus.