Pre-term or early labour means going into labour before 37 weeks. After this point, your pregnancy is classed as full term.
About 8 babies out of every 100 in the UK are born before the 37th week of pregnancy.
This page will explain the signs and symptoms of premature labour. If you think you may be going into early labour, call the hospital straight away for advice.
Pre-term labour may feel similar to normal labour or it may be faster or less painful, particularly if very pre-term.
If you have any of the following symptoms, contact the hospital straight away, because you could be in
labour:
Contact the hospital immediately if:
Many women and birthing people experience Braxton Hicks, sometimes known as practice contractions.
These can become quite strong during the third trimester (after 28 weeks), and it's easy to mistake them for the real thing. They are usually not painful, so it is important to get checked in hospital if you are having painful contractions.
You should continue to feel your baby move in the pattern that is normal for you right up to the time you go into labour and during labour.
Call your hospital immediately if you think your baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed.
The midwife or doctor will talk to you about whether it’s best to birth your baby now (either
by vaginal delivery or caesarean section) or try to slow down labour using medication. They will
consider:
You may need to be moved to a hospital that has facilities for premature babies.
When a baby is born pre-term, they need special care in hospital because they are not quite ready for life outside the womb. In some circumstances a pre-term baby is better born in a tertiary unit that gives specialised care.
Our local tertiary units are the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital and The Rosie in Cambridge. However, it may be necessary to transfer you to a tertiary unit further away if the local unit is full and does not have enough cots to care for your baby or babies.
If labour hasn't started, your healthcare professional will investigate what may be causing your symptoms and if you and your baby would benefit from further treatment.
It might be recommended that you stay in hospital so they can monitor you and your baby.
In 7 out of 10 cases, the symptoms go away and women give birth at term (after 37 weeks). More than 9 out of 10 women do not give birth within 14 days of having these symptoms.
Contacting Your Hospital
If you have any of the signs and symptoms of pre-term labour, please contact the hospital you have booked your pregnancy with on the following numbers to get advice:
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Call Maternity Triage on 01603 287328
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn
Call Maternity Triage on 01553 214829
James Paget University Hospital
Call the Delivery Suite on 01493 452480 or 452190
If you feel worried and would like more advice you can speak to your midwife throughout your pregnancy and up to 28 days after the birth of your baby.
If you live in Norfolk
If you live in Suffolk
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