Preterm labor is when a woman goes into labor before she is 37 weeks into her pregnancy. This section is designed to tell you more about preterm labor and birth, and to make you aware of some of the warning signs and treatments that are available.

Normal pregnancies last at least 37 weeks from the time of a woman's last menstrual period, or 35 weeks from conception. Your health care team is very concerned about helping you reach the full term of your pregnancy.

Very few babies survive if they are born prior to 23 weeks. The chance of the baby surviving increases from 23 to 32 weeks, but there is a serious risk of permanent and disabling conditions, especially if they are delivered at less than 28 weeks. These conditions can include cerebral palsy, chronic lung disorders, eye problems, and learning disabilities. The chance of survival increases rapidly after 28 weeks, and even a few days or weeks can have a great effect. The risk of death or severe long-term conditions is very low with deliveries after 32 weeks, but babies born between 32 and 37 weeks require longer hospital stays. These babies often require a neonatal intensive care unit for a period of time after delivery due to short-term problems that are generally not life threatening.