What should you know about preterm labour risks?

The maternity team may review a previous preterm birth, a short or weakened cervix, uterine differences, twins or a higher-order multiple pregnancy, vaginal or urinary infection, bleeding, or early rupture of the membranes. Conditions such as high blood pressure can also change pregnancy monitoring.

Some risk factors can be identified before symptoms, while others appear during pregnancy. Having a risk factor does not mean preterm labour will occur, and some people develop it without an obvious explanation. Your clinician may use your history, examination, ultrasound findings, and current symptoms to plan care.

Attend scheduled antenatal visits and tell your clinician about previous early birth, cervical treatment, bleeding, infection symptoms, or new pressure and tightenings. Take prescribed medicines as directed and ask which symptoms should prompt a same-day call.

Depending on your history, the team may discuss cervical surveillance, a cervical cerclage in selected cases, or an antenatal steroid injection if early birth becomes possible. These decisions depend on timing, examination findings, and your individual circumstances.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for regular contractions, menstrual-like cramps, pelvic pressure, low backache, bleeding, fluid leakage, fever, or reduced baby movements. Emergency help is needed for heavy bleeding, a visible cord, or an urge to push.

Which factors in my history affect monitoring? Should my cervix be checked? What symptoms require immediate assessment? Would a cervical cerclage be considered? If early birth seems possible, when might steroid treatment be offered?