Common Obstetric Problems

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Preterm labour and delivery, Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM), Haemorrhage, Hypertension - Raised blood pressure, Failure to thrive in the womb - intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), Reduced fetal movement, Rhesus iso-immunisation, Weblinks

Preterm labour and delivery
Labour is the onset of regular contractions combined with the cervix (neck of the womb) opening. Preterm labour is when labour starts before 37 weeks gestation. Some women will go into labour for no apparent reason, some will have ruptured their membranes (see below) or may have infection. Some will have a weak cervix and some will have twins or triplets (see twins & more). Of course some women will be delivered early, either by Caesarean section of induction of labour, because there are problems with the pregnancy and it is safest to end the pregnancy sooner rather than later. About 5 - 10% of women will have their babies early, for one reason or another.

The reason we are concerned about preterm delivery is because of the risk to the baby of being born early. (continued next page)