Labor that occurs before or during the 37th week of pregnancy. Preterm labor can threaten the life of the fetus. The warning signs of preterm labor include vaginal bleeding, watery vaginal discharge, abdominal cramps that may be accompanied by diarrhea and fever, pressure in the pelvis, low backache, and uterine contractions or tightening. Any of these signs should be reported to the doctor or midwife immediately.
Labor that begins before completion of 37 weeks from the last menstrual period. The condition affects 7% to 10% of all live births and is one of the most important risk factors for preterm birth, the primary cause of perinatal and neonatal mortality. Although associated risk factors do exist, in most cases the cause is unknown.