Frequently Asked Questions About Preterm Birth
Preterm birth — before 37 weeks gestation — is currently on the rise in the United States. According to the March of Dimes, 1 out of every 8 births in this country is preterm,1 which is one of the highest rates in the world. Several factors may make you more likely to give birth preterm, but half of all preterm births occur in women with no known risks.
Pregnancy lasts 38 to 42 weeks. Many women will deliver a few days before their due date, which generally has no negative effect on the baby. However, the earlier your baby is born, the greater the chance that he or she will suffer serious and long-term health problems.
Your baby's organs finish developing near the end of your pregnancy. If your baby is born early, those organs may not have had enough time to grow. While many health problems related to a preterm birth can be treated, some children born preterm may have problems throughout their lives, such as developmental problems and learning disabilities.
Several factors may make you more likely to give birth preterm, but half of all preterm births occur in women with no known risks. Therefore, it is best to talk with your doctor about whether your health history or any current health issues may put you at risk for giving birth early.
It is best to talk with your doctor about whether your health history or any current health issues put you at risk for preterm delivery. But you should also talk with your doctor or nurse-midwife immediately if you experience any of the common symptoms of preterm labor, such as contractions, cramps, bleeding, vaginal discharge, back pain, pelvic pressure (which feels like the baby is pushing downward), or you just don't feel quite right.
FullTerm™, The Fetal Fibronectin Test, is a safe, reliable, non-invasive test (similar to a Pap test) that measures your level of fetal fibronectin. With this simple test, your doctor can tell if your body may be getting ready for labor, even before you feel any of the symptoms. Fetal fibronectin is the "glue" your body makes to hold your baby in the uterus. When your body is getting ready for you to give birth, this glue breaks down and leaks into the vagina.