Susan is worried. Should she be hitting the panic button? She is only 8 months pregnant but since this morning she has been having lower abdominal pain. In the beginning, it felt like menstrual cramping but now there is squeezing pain which comes every 10 minutes. Could Susan be in preterm labour?

What is preterm labour?

When labour begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it is considered preterm or premature. The exact causes of preterm labour are not known.

Warning signs of preterm labour

If preterm labour is recognized early enough, delivery may be prevented or postponed in some cases. This will give the baby extra time to grow and mature. Even a few more days may mean a healthier baby. It is important to call your doctor or go to the hospital right away if you notice any of these symptoms:  

• Watery, mucoid, or bloody vaginal discharge
•  Sudden increase in amount of vaginal discharge
• Pelvic or lower abdominal pressure
• Constant, dull, low backache
• Mild abdominal cramps like menstrual cramps
• Regular or frequent contractions or uterine tightening, sometimes painless
• A trickle or gush of fluid from the vagina