Common "Preterm Labor" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Preterm Labor

Labor that starts before completing 37 weeks of pregnancy is called preterm labor. The risk factors for preterm labor are smoking, being overweight or underweight, alcoholism, gestational diabetes or hypertension, and multiple pregnancy.

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Is labor induction safe for the mother and baby at 36 weeks of pregnancy?

Query: Hello doctor, My spouse is 36 weeks pregnant. We noted that her blood pressure has been fluctuating since yesterday. We called the doctor, and they kept her under observation for a couple of hours and did some blood and urine tests. She did not have any other symptoms like headache, pain in the abdo...  Read Full »


Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. This age of gestation is considered near term, and the baby is mature enough. High blood pressure is the indication for labor induction. It can be associated with albuminuria and pre-eclampsia. Also, baby movements are essential to evaluate the heartbeats of the baby...  Read Full »

I am pregnant. Is unprotected sex safe?

Query: Hello doctor, I am 11 weeks pregnant. I had unprotected sex with my husband. Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?  Read Full »


Dr. Balakrishnan R

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta is not fully formed. So in this phase, having sex is not very safe. As you know, semen is not a sterile fluid. So, if it enters the cervix or the vagina, this can provoke bleeding, pain,...  Read Full »

My pregnant wife had unexpected pain in her lower stomach and back, which resolved the next day. Is it labor pain?

Query: Hi doctor, My wife is in her 30th week, and she had pain in her lower stomach last night. Also, she was having sharp pain in her lower back. She struggled a lot, and we thought it to be labor pain, but later she was fine in the morning. Is this labor pain, and why did she have this pain? Is it some...  Read Full »


Dr. Sunita Kothari

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It can be UTI (urinary tract infection), or it can be premature labor. I suggest she take a capsule of Duvadilan Retard (Isoxsuprine) once a day for 15 days and take complete bed rest. I hope this has helped you. Thanks and regards.  Read Full »

I have fibroids. Can it cause premature labor?

Query: Hello doctor, I had preterm labor, and my baby was born at 27 weeks, but unfortunately, it had a brain bleed and passed away. I have two fibroids, about 2 to 2.3 inches. Could that cause preterm labor?  Read Full »


Dr. Uzma Arqam

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Preterm labor can be the result of many reasons like intrauterine infection, cervical incompetence, fetal anomalies, intrauterine growth restriction, high blood pressure, abnormal placentation, trauma, multiple pregnancies, maternal uterine anomaly, pre labor preterm ru...  Read Full »

I am 24 weeks pregnant and afraid of preterm labor. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, I am terrified of preterm labor. I am obsessed with checking for signs that I will go into labor early. I am currently 24 weeks pregnant. I had my last cervix checked maybe three to four days ago through digital examination by a doctor. It was long, closed and thick. Does this mean I...  Read Full »


Dr. Vedprakash Verma

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Do not worry. You have developed prepartum anxiety, no need to worry, and funneling is not there kindly go for regular prenatal checkups once in four weeks.  Read Full »

Can I work if my cervix is soft in five months of pregnancy?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 31-year-old female, and my weight is 65 kg. I am 5 months pregnant, and my doctor suggested bed rest now because my cervix is soft. Can I at least work for exactly one month from now? I had taken a TVS scan that showed the cervical length was 3.9 cm, and the internal OS was clo...  Read Full »


Dr. Uzma Arqam

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is more than five months of gestation. According to your history, you had a short and soft cervix and were advised restricted activity and bed rest due to the risk of preterm labor. You have not mentioned your previous obstetrics, gynecology, drug, or medical hist...  Read Full »

My 11-month-old baby is not able to sit. Why?

Query: Hi doctor, My baby is preterm, and the corrected age is 11 months and 6 days. He is still not sitting. When we consulted a doctor, he advised for PT. And he said, we may need to check an MRI after 15 months of age if it persists. What is your advice?  Read Full »


Dr. Deepak Patel

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concerns. A child starts to sit without support at eight months of age and with support at five months of age. So, the development is delayed in your child, and the most probable cause for this is preterm birth. The doctor has rightly said t...  Read Full »

All my pregnancies ended preterm. What could be the reason?

Query: Hello doctor, I gave birth to three babies at 27, 28 and 29 weeks. What is causing me to repeat giving birth to premature babies?  Read Full »


Dr. Tara Devi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Are you pregnant now, if so how many weeks? There are various reasons for preterm delivery. Recurrent preterm delivery can be seen in uterine anomalies, intrauterine infection, cervical incompetence and tobacco use. Being underweight and young maternal age is important ...  Read Full »

I Have Braxton Hicks At 27 Weeks. Could I Be In Preterm?

Query: Hello doctor, I am 27 weeks pregnant and have had Braxton Hicks steady for two days with my back cramping and pressure in my bum and vagina. Could I be in preterm?  Read Full »


Dr. Uzma Arqam

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have not mentioned your gynecological, obstetrics, menstrual and drug history. Have you previously had a normal delivery? If no, then the body prepares itself for normal vaginal delivery in the third trimester. In the first time mother, this process is long as it...  Read Full »

Why did I have preterm labor?

Query: Hi doctor, I had a premature pregnancy in the 6th month. That was my first pregnancy. Suddenly, I had a stomach pain in the lower side and no other symptoms were found. We visited our doctor and she said that the cervix started to open slightly. I got severe pain, some medicines were given that nigh...  Read Full »


Dr. Dattaprasad Balasaheb Inamdar

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Rubella or CMV infections (cytomegalovirus) generally do not cause mid trimester abortion, so are very less likely to be causative in your case. Rubella and CMV IgG values indicate that you have immunity to those infections and they likely had occurred in the remote past...  Read Full »

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