premature labor

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premature labor

A pregnant woman is being monitored by a doctor for signs of premature labor.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Premature labor: The onset of labor and childbirth that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy is completed. It is a medical condition where regular contractions cause the cervix to open earlier than normal, potentially leading to the birth of a premature infant.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The patient was admitted to the hospital for premature labor.
    • Doctors are trying to stop the premature labor to give the baby more time to develop.
    • A history of premature labor is a significant risk factor for subsequent pregnancies.
Advanced Usage
  • Medical Context: The term is primarily used in clinical and obstetric settings to describe a specific complication of pregnancy. Management may involve medications to halt contractions (tocolytics) and corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung maturity.
    • The protocol for managing premature labor includes close fetal monitoring.
Variants and Related Words
  • Premature birth (n): The event of a baby being born before 37 weeks of gestation, which can result from premature labor.
    • Premature labor often leads to premature birth.
  • Preterm labor (n): A synonymous term frequently used interchangeably with "premature labor" in medical literature.
  • Tocolysis (n): The medical treatment used to suppress premature labor.
Synonyms
  • Preterm labor: The most direct synonym.
  • Early labor: A less technical, more general term.
Related Phrases
  • Threatened premature labor: A condition where signs of premature labor are present but may not progress to active labor and delivery.
    • She was diagnosed with threatened premature labor and prescribed bed rest.
  • Arrest of premature labor: The successful stopping of labor progress.
    • The treatment resulted in the arrest of premature labor.
Notes on Meaning
  • The term specifically refers to the process of labor starting early. It is distinct from "premature birth," which refers to the outcome (the early birth itself). However, these terms are closely linked in cause and effect.
  • "Labor" in this context is defined by regular uterine contractions with cervical change.
premature labor

A pregnant woman is being monitored by a doctor for signs of premature labor.

Noun
  1. labor beginning prior to the 37th week of gestation

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