Editing Preterm birth (section)

== Signs and symptoms ==
[[File:Mom and Premature Baby at Kapiolani.jpg|thumb|right|A new mother holds her premature baby at [[Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children|Kapiolani Medical Center]] [[Neonatal Intensive Care Unit|NICU]] in Honolulu, Hawaii.]]
Signs and symptoms of preterm labor include four or more uterine [[Contraction (childbirth)|contraction]]s in one hour. In contrast to [[false labour]], true labor is accompanied by [[cervical dilation]] and [[Cervical effacement|effacement]]. Also, vaginal bleeding in the third trimester, heavy pressure in the pelvis, or abdominal or back pain could be indicators that a preterm birth is about to occur. A watery discharge from the vagina may indicate premature rupture of the membranes that surround the baby. While the rupture of the membranes may not be followed by labor, usually delivery is indicated as infection ([[chorioamnionitis]]) is a serious threat to both [[fetus]] and mother. In some cases, the cervix dilates prematurely without pain or perceived contractions, so that the mother may not have warning signs until very late in the birthing process.