Impending Premature Birth: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate impending preterm birth:

Leading symptoms

• Premature labor
• Premature rupture of membranes*
• Cervical insufficiency (weakness of the cervix)

Associated symptoms

• Preterm labor/cervical insufficiency
  • Pulling in the abdomen
  • Pulling in the back
  • Hardness of the abdomen
  • Bleeding
• Premature rupture of the bladder/amniotic infection syndrome (AIS; infection of the membranes, egg cavity, placenta/uterine placenta, and possibly the fetus/unborn child during pregnancy or delivery; there is a risk of sepsis to the child)
  • Fever > 38 °C
  • Maternal tachycardia (heartbeat too fast): >120/minute.
  • Fetid (foul) smelling amniotic fluid.
  • Pressure painful uterus (edge pain).
  • Fetal tachycardia (fetal heart palpitations): >160/minute.

* See also under “Surgical Therapy.”