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
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
In most pregnancies, labor starts at about 40 weeks. Labor that starts before the end of the 37th week is considered preterm. Preterm labor can lead to preterm birth. About 1 in every 10 babies born in the United States is born preterm. Preterm birth accounts for 3 of every 4 newborn deaths that are not related to birth defects.
What is going on in the body?
Labor starts with regular contractions of the uterus. The cervix thins out and dilates, or opens up, so the baby can enter the birth canal. Sometimes labor begins earlier than it should. If preterm labor is caught quickly, delivery can often be postponed. This gives the baby extra time to grow and mature. Growth and development in the last part of pregnancy are critical to the baby's health. A baby born too early is at risk for fetal distress.
If a preterm delivery seems likely, the healthcare provider will try to determine if the baby's lungs are mature enough to survive outside the uterus. If the lungs are not mature enough, the baby may develop respiratory distress syndrome. This is the most common cause of death in preterm babies.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
In 50 to 60% of preterm labors, the cause is not known. The factors known to cause preterm labor can be divided into major and minor ones.
Major factors:
Minor factors: