Pregnancy Health Center
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Reduce The Risk Of Preterm Labor

Labor that begins before the end of the 37th week is considered "preterm" or "premature." Approximately 1 out of every 10 babies born in the United States is preterm. No one knows the exact cause of preterm labor, but certain situations increase the odds for it. Those include the following:

Also be aware of the symptoms of preterm labor, and seek medical care right away if you have:

To reduce your risk of preterm labor, continue to follow your caregiver's advice on diet, exercise, rest, and other health matters. Although the chance of miscarriage is much lower once the first trimester has passed, contact your doctor immediately if you experience any worrisome symptoms.

Review Date: 2/19/2007
Reviewed By: Douglas A. Levine, MD, Gynecology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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