Definition

Noun: * Premature onset of childbirth: The beginning of the process of childbirth (labor) before the 37th week of pregnancy (gestation). This is a medical condition where uterine contractions and cervical changes start too early, potentially leading to the birth of a preterm infant.

Usage

• "Premature labour" is a medical term used primarily in healthcare settings, such as by doctors, midwives, and in patient education materials.
• It is often discussed in the context of risk factors, prevention, and management.
• Example: "The expectant mother was admitted to the hospital for monitoring after showing signs of premature labour."

Advanced Usage

• The term is frequently modified to specify the stage or management, e.g., "arrested premature labour" (when contractions stop), "threatened premature labour" (when signs are present but may not progress), or "management of premature labour."

Variants and Related Words

• Premature birth (n): The event of giving birth to a baby before 37 weeks of gestation. (Note: "Premature labour" refers to the beginning; "premature birth" refers to the .)
• Preterm labour (n): A synonym for "premature labour," commonly used in medical literature.
• Early labour (n): Can be a less technical term but is ambiguous, as it can also refer to the early phase of normal labour at term.

Synonyms

• Preterm labour
• Early labour (context-dependent)

Related Phrases

• To go into premature labour: A phrasal verb describing the event.
  • Example: "She was worried she might go into premature labour."
• To be at risk for premature labour: A phrase describing a state of increased probability.
  • Example: "Patients with a short cervix are at higher risk for premature labour."

Noun

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