The reasons for premature labour are usually not known.
There's a greater risk of premature labour if you've previously had:
- a premature labour
- a late miscarriage (miscarriage at between 12 and 24 weeks)
- treatment to remove part of your cervix (the neck of your womb)
It can be hard to prevent premature labour.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP for an early hospital visit if you had:
- a late miscarriage (losing your baby between 12 to 24 weeks)
- treatments on your cervix
Your obstetrician will tell you if you:
- are at risk of premature labour
- would benefit from treatment
Sometimes a premature birth may be planned because of concerns about your or your baby's health.
If your doctors recommend an early birth, you may have either:
Reducing the risk of premature labour
There are some things you can do to try to reduce the risk of giving birth early.
Do
-
quit smoking and ask others not to smoke around you
-
talk to your GP or public health nurse (PHN) about any medicine you are on
-
prepare and store food safely
-
avoid stress and take time to rest daily
Don't
-
do not drink alcohol
-
do not take drugs
Treatments to prevent premature birth
If you're at risk of premature labour, you may be offered some treatments to prevent your cervix from opening too early.
These treatments depend on your circumstances.
They can include:
- a stitch placed around your cervix
- hormone treatment with progesterone - this is usually a small tablet which you insert into your vagina
You may also:
- have more frequent visits with you doctor or midwife
- be referred to a specialised clinic
- have more ultrasound scans
