What happens if labor starts at 34 weeks

This is one reason that all pregnant women should have their urine tested for bacteria. There are a number of risk factors, but keep in mind that more than half of spontaneous preterm births occur in pregnancies in which there's no identifiable risk factor. Although it's impossible to say whether you'll give birth prematurely, it may be more likely if you:.

There also appears to be an association between high levels of stress, especially chronic stress, and preterm birth. The theory is that severe stress can lead to the release of hormones that can trigger uterine contractions and preterm labor. This may explain why women who are victims of domestic abuse have a higher risk for spontaneous preterm labor. Those who endure physical violence have an even higher risk, of course, particularly if there's trauma to the abdomen.

There are some studies that suggest women who work the night-shift or have extremely physically demanding jobs may have a higher risk of preterm birth. Two screening tests are available for women who are having symptoms of preterm labor or are otherwise at high risk for it. A negative result is particularly useful because it can put your mind at ease and help you avoid unnecessary interventions and time in the hospital. Studies haven't shown the tests to be useful for women who aren't at high risk and have no symptoms.

At your mid-trimester ultrasound around 20 weeks , your sonographer will look at your cervix and measure its length. A short cervix can be an indicator that you're at higher risk for a preterm delivery. Your doctor may also order a cervical length measurement if your pregnancy is at high risk for cervical insufficiency because of a history of preterm birth, for example, or if you go to the hospital for symptoms of preterm labor.

If the ultrasound shows that your cervix is short, your provider may recommend that you cut back on physical activity and work, abstain from sex, and stop smoking if you haven't already. Depending on your situation and your baby's gestational age, you could have another ultrasound within the next few weeks. If you're less than 24 weeks pregnant and your cervix is shortening or dilating but you're not having any contractions, a cerclage may be recommended. For this procedure, a band of strong thread is stitched around your cervix to help hold it closed.

Your doctor may suggest a cerclage if you've had a history of possible cervical insufficiency or if you've had a preterm birth before 34 weeks. The cerclage may be placed before there's cervical change or if shortening is noted. Alternately, depending on your specific case, vaginal progesterone may be offered, as it can reduce the risk of preterm delivery in women with a short cervix.

Fetal fibronectin screening. This test is usually reserved for women who are having contractions or other symptoms of preterm labor. Fetal fibronectin fFN is a protein produced by the fetal membranes.

If more than a small amount turns up in a sample of your cervical and vaginal secretions between 24 and 34 weeks, you're considered to be at higher risk for preterm delivery. A positive fFN result might prompt your provider to give you drugs to hold off labor as well as corticosteroids to help your baby's lungs mature more quickly. However, the test is actually more accurate at telling you when you won't deliver than when you will.

If you have a negative fFN result, it's highly unlikely that you'll deliver in the next two weeks. A negative result can put your mind at ease and help you avoid hospitalization or other unnecessary treatment.

Talk with your doctor about medication. If you've previously had preterm premature rupture of the membranes PPROM or spontaneous preterm labor resulting in a preterm birth before 37 weeks and are currently carrying only one baby, talk to your provider about treatment with a progesterone compound called Makena 17 alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate, or 17P for short.

Studies have shown that weekly injections of this hormone, starting at 16 to 20 weeks and continuing through 36 weeks, significantly reduce the risk of a repeat preterm delivery for women in this situation. In some cases, the medication is started later than 20 weeks. It doesn't appear to offer any benefit to women carrying more than one baby or with no previous history of preterm labor.

If you have signs of preterm labor or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, call your healthcare provider, who will probably have you go to the hospital for further assessment. You'll be monitored for contractions as your baby's heart rate is monitored, and you'll be examined to see whether your membranes have ruptured. Your urine will be checked for signs of infection, and cervical and vaginal cultures may be taken as well. You may also be given a fetal fibronectin test.

If your water hasn't broken, your provider will do a vaginal exam to assess the state of your cervix. An abdominal ultrasound will often be done as well, to check the amount of amniotic fluid present and confirm the baby's growth, gestational age, and position.

Finally, some providers will do a vaginal ultrasound to double-check the length of your cervix and look for signs of effacement. If all the tests are negative, your membranes haven't ruptured, your cervix hasn't dilated after a few hours of monitoring, your contractions have subsided, and you and your baby appear healthy, you'll most likely be sent home. For about 3 in 10 women, preterm labor stops on its own. Although each provider may manage the situation a little differently, there are some general guidelines for handling preterm labor.

If you're less than 34 weeks but 24 weeks or more pregnant and found to be in preterm labor, your membranes are intact, your baby's heart rate is reassuring, and you have no signs of a uterine infection or other problems such as severe preeclampsia or signs of a placental abruption , your practitioner will probably attempt to delay your delivery. One way she can do this is by giving you special drugs called tocolytics. Tocolytics can delay delivery for up to 48 hours though they don't always work and are not routinely used.

During that time, if your doctor thinks you're at risk of delivering within 7 days, your baby can be given corticosteroids drugs that cross the placenta to help his lungs and other organs develop faster. This will boost his chance of survival and minimizes some of the risks associated with an early birth.

Corticosteroids are most likely to help your baby when given between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, but they're also given between 23 and 24 weeks. If you're less than 32 weeks pregnant and in preterm labor, and your provider thinks you're at risk of delivering in the next 24 hours, you may also be given magnesium sulfate to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy in your baby.

Cerebral palsy, a nervous system disorder, is associated with early preterm birth. This is done just in case a culture shows you're a carrier, as it takes 48 hours to get results. To take advantage of technological advances in preterm care, a preterm infant is best cared for at a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit NICU. If you're in a small community hospital where specialized neonatal care is not available for a preterm infant, you'll be transferred to a larger institution at this point, if possible.

Hospitals generally have limits for gestational how premature a baby they're able to care for. If you haven't reached 24 weeks, neither antibiotics for GBS prevention nor corticosteroids are recommended. Your medical team will counsel you about your baby's prognosis, and you can opt to wait or be induced. If your water breaks before 34 weeks but you're not having contractions, your medical team may decide to induce labor or may opt to wait, hoping to buy the baby more time to mature.

It depends on how far along you are and whether there's any sign of infection or other reason that your baby would be better off being delivered. In any case, unless you've had a recent negative GBS test, you'll be given antibiotics to protect against group B strep. If you are at risk of having your baby prematurely, you are likely to be offered corticosteroids. Magnesium sulfate seems to protect your baby's brain and reduces their risk of having problems such as cerebral palsy , if they are born too early.

It is given as a single infusion into your vein and has some side-effects, particularly flushing, feeling warm or 'fluey', headache, dry mouth, feeling sick nausea and having blurred vision. It will be discussed with you if you are in labour between 23 and 34 weeks of gestation. It is possible for your waters to break before 37 weeks and without contractions - this happens in about 3 out of every pregnancies.

You may notice a soft popping sensation, or feel either a gush, or a slow trickle of watery fluid, which is often pinkish or clear. If you are in labour with only one baby and are less than 34 weeks pregnant, and you and your baby are well, the obstetric team may try to stop the contractions with medicines called tocolytics.

These may be taken as tablets, or given through a drip:. You may also be given intravenous antibiotics, especially if you have a temperature, if your waters have broken early, or if you are in premature labour and known to carry a bug bacterium such as group B streptococcus in your vagina.

Sometimes tocolytics do not stop labour and sometimes they are not the best choice for you and your baby. If labour is going ahead prematurely then a paediatrician and special care midwife will be on hand for your baby's birth, which may be a vaginal birth or a caesarean birth, depending on the particular circumstances.

Premature labour is often shorter than full-term labour, but it can otherwise be very similar. There are regular contractions which may need pain relief, and a period of pushing before delivery.

The pain relief options available to you will include most of those available to women in labour at the expected time. However, doctors may be keen to avoid painkillers which may suppress your baby's breathing at delivery. The smaller size of your baby's head may mean that you may not need to push for as long or as hard to deliver your baby - but everyone is different. Your baby is usually closely monitored during labour and there will usually be paediatric doctors, as well as midwives, present when your baby is born.

Having a baby born early is usually unexpected, worrying and even frightening. You will be in a situation that is hugely challenging and, for most parents, beyond anything you have ever experienced before. You may at first still be a hospital inpatient yourself. This is a time in your life that you may have expected to be natural and joyful, and instead is full of worries and questions.

On top of this you have to cope with changes in your own body caused by the delivery and the postpartum period, and you may have other children to look after.

Don't be surprised or feel guilty if you are upset, disappointed, or feel as though your plans have been ruined. These are natural feelings and are a part of coming to terms with a huge change of plan. There will be a lot to take in and you may feel overwhelmed.

It can help to keep a list of questions as you think of them, so that you don't forget to ask. The first few days, weeks or months with a premature baby can be tough.

You may feel you cannot meet all of your baby's needs and this can make you feel inadequate. Or, you may feel as if you are not the real parent, but your baby needs you more than anyone else. You will be shown how to handle and interact with your baby from very early on and you will play a vital role in caring for your baby and judging what your baby wants and needs.

You will be encouraged to express breast milk , as this is very good for premature babies, and to spend as much time with your baby as you can. You are essential and you will be as much an expert in your baby as you would be if they had been born at term. You need to stay as healthy and as well as possible, so you have the strength and energy to be there. Premature babies are small and have not yet finished developing in the womb uterus. The earlier your baby arrives, the smaller they will be.

Premature babies have less fat under the skin, so their skin can look translucent, and they have fine hair lanugo on their backs. They cry softly very early babies can't yet cry at all , and before 28 weeks your baby will not yet open their eyes. Premature babies have an increased risk of health problems, particularly with breathing, keeping warm, feeding and infection. The earlier your baby is born, the more likely he or she is to have these problems.

Your baby may need to be looked after in a specialist neonatal unit, and very early babies may spend a prolonged period in special care. More than 8 out of 10 premature babies born after 28 weeks survive. A small number of these babies will have a long-term disability. Babies born before 24 weeks of pregnancy sadly have a much lower chance of surviving, as they have missed out on so much developing and maturing time. Babies who do survive after such a premature birth often have serious long-term health disabilities.

See the separate leaflet called Premature Babies for more information. Children who are born prematurely also have a higher risk of cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. You might not be able to prevent preterm labor — but there's much you can do to promote a healthy, full-term pregnancy. For example:. If your health care provider determines that you're at increased risk of preterm labor, he or she might recommend taking additional steps to reduce your risk.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Overview Preterm labor occurs when regular contractions result in the opening of your cervix after week 20 and before week 37 of pregnancy. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references Lockwood CJ. Preterm labor: Clinical findings, diagnostic evaluation, and initial treatment. Accessed Oct. Cunningham FG, et al. Preterm birth. In: Williams Obstetrics.