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Diagnosing possible preterm birth
At hospital, you will be examined and offered tests to confirm whether your waters have broken, you’re in labour, and whether you have an infection.¹
These tests may include:1,2
- A vaginal examination to check if your cervix is opening
- Blood tests to check for infection
- Urine tests to check for infection (or the presence of protein, which can be a sign of pre-eclampsia)
- Checking your pulse, blood pressure and temperature
- Feeling your bump to check the baby’s position
- Monitoring and recording any contractions
- Checking your baby’s heartbeat
- A vaginal swab to see if your body is preparing to give birth
If the tests show that you are in preterm labour, or you are likely to go into preterm labour, your healthcare team will discuss your care choices with you.²⁻⁴
Planned premature labour
Some preterm births are planned and induced because it's safer for the baby to be born before full-term.5 This may be because the mother or birthing person has a health condition, such as pre-eclampsia*, or the baby may have a health issue such as foetal growth restriction.⁶
The benefits and risks of continuing with the pregnancy will be explained to you by your midwife and doctor, and they may recommend a preterm birth. You will still be able to discuss your wishes for your birth plan, your birth partner, midwife and doctor.²
*Defined as hypertension (high blood pressure) along with at least one of the following conditions that has arisen after 20 weeks of gestation: proteinuria (high levels of protein in the urine), dysfunction of maternal organs (which may include acute kidney injury, liver involvement, neurological issues, or haematological [blood] complications), or dysfunction of the uteroplacental unit (the uterus and placenta).⁷