Who should be screened for preterm labor?


Preterm labor refers to births before the start of week 37. It occurs in about 10% of all pregnancies and is accountable for 60-75% of all infant complications and infant mortality. 50% of preterm labor is due to premature rupture and 20% can be pinned on other maternal fetal complications. If you have a previous record of giving birth prematurely, your doctor will suggest you be screened this time round because history can repeat itself. Your risk increases with the number of consecutive preterm births.