Premature labor
Onset of rhythmic uterine contractions that produce cervical changes after fetal viability but before fetal maturity
Usually occurs between 20 and 37 weeks’ gestation
Fetal prognosis dependent on birth weight and length of gestation
Weight less than 737 g and less than 26 weeks’ gestation: about 10% survival rate
Weight 737 to 992 g and between 27 and 28 weeks’ gestation: greater than 50% survival rate
Weight 992 to 1,219 g and more than 28 weeks’ gestation: 70% to 90% survival rate
Increases the risk of neonate morbidity or mortality from excessive maturational deficiencies
Also known as preterm labor
Causes
Maternal causes
Cardiovascular and renal disease
Diabetes mellitus
Gestational hypertension
Infection
Smoking
Substance abuse
No prenatal care
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