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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.
There is good evidence that a weekly progesterone (17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate) injection may help prevent preterm labor in patients with a history of preterm labor. Talk to your health care provider if you had a prior preterm delivery, to see if you will benefit from this treatment.
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