US Medical Term · maternity
Preterm Labor
Trabajo de parto prematuro
Also: Parto pretérmino (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Preterm Labor |
| Spanish (Español) | Trabajo de parto prematuro |
| Chinese (中文) | 早產陣痛 |
| Korean (한국어) | 조기 진통 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Chuyển dạ sinh non |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Maagang panganganak na trabaho |
| Portuguese (Português) | Trabalho de parto prematuro |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การเจ็บครรภ์คลอดก่อนกำหนด |
| Japanese (日本語) | 早産陣痛 |
What it means
Preterm labor is regular uterine contractions that begin before 37 weeks of pregnancy, causing the cervix to open. Babies born before 37 weeks are premature and may face breathing problems, feeding difficulties, and longer hospital stays. Symptoms include regular contractions (more than 5 in an hour), pelvic pressure, low backache, or fluid leaking from the vagina. Risk factors include prior preterm birth, multiple pregnancy, infections, and cervical conditions. Your provider may give medications to slow contractions, steroid injections to speed the baby's lung development, or antibiotics to treat infection.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I'm 33 weeks and having regular contractions — could this be preterm labor?
Tengo 33 semanas y estoy teniendo contracciones regulares — ¿podría ser trabajo de parto prematuro?
What medications can stop preterm labor once it starts?
¿Qué medicamentos pueden detener el trabajo de parto prematuro una vez que comienza?
I had a preterm birth before — what can I do this pregnancy to reduce the risk?
Tuve un parto prematuro antes — ¿qué puedo hacer en este embarazo para reducir el riesgo?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
O60 Preterm laborRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026