For many new mothers, the thought of giving birth before their due date is a terrifying one.

Preterm labor, which occurs before the 37th week of gestation, can result in health complications for both mother and baby, and it’s estimated to occur in about 12% of all pregnancies. However, while there are some known risk factors for preterm labor, such as a previous preterm delivery, preeclampsia, and multiple pregnancies, doctors and researchers are still uncovering new reasons why some women go into labor early.

What Is Preterm Labor?

Before we dive into the new findings, let’s first review what preterm labor is and why it’s such a concern. During a typical pregnancy, the baby grows and develops inside the mother’s uterus for about 40 weeks.

During this time, the uterus prepares for labor by thinning out and softening its cervical opening. When the baby is fully developed and ready for delivery, the uterus contracts rhythmically, which causes the baby to move down the birth canal and into the world.

However, in preterm labor, the uterus starts contracting and changing before the baby is fully developed and ready for delivery.

This can cause the cervix to open up too soon, which puts the mother and baby at risk for a number of complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, infections, and developmental delays. Because of these risks, doctors and researchers are constantly looking for new ways to prevent preterm labor and better manage it when it does occur.

What Are Some Known Risk Factors for Preterm Labor?

While preterm labor can happen to anyone, there are some known risk factors that increase the likelihood of it occurring. These include:.

Having a previous preterm delivery
Having a shortened cervix
Having an incompetent cervix
Being pregnant with twins, triplets, or more
Having certain infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and group B strep
Having certain medical conditions, such as preeclampsia, diabetes, and high blood pressure
Being underweight or overweight before getting pregnant

While these risk factors can contribute to preterm labor, there are still many women who go into labor early with no known risk factors. This is why new research into the causes of preterm labor is so important.

New Findings About Preterm Labor

One recent study published in the journal Nature Communications has shed light on a new potential cause of preterm labor: inflammation in the uterus.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, found that inflammation triggered by a bacterial infection can cause the uterus to contract prematurely.

The researchers found that when pregnant mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial molecule that triggers inflammation, their uteruses contracted and their cervixes opened prematurely.

The team then used a variety of techniques to examine the mechanisms behind this response, and found that the inflammation caused changes in the cells of the uterus that made them more likely to contract.

The team then examined data from 34 women who had preterm labor in their second or early third trimester.

They found that these women had higher levels of inflammatory molecules in their amniotic fluid and lower levels of a protein called insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) than women who delivered at term. IGFBP-1 is a protein that helps to keep the cervix closed during pregnancy, so lower levels of this protein could contribute to preterm labor.

What Does This Mean for Pregnant Women?

While this study is still in its early stages and more research is needed to fully understand the link between inflammation and preterm labor, it does offer some hope for women who are at risk for preterm labor.

If doctors can identify women who are at higher risk for inflammation-related preterm labor, they may be able to develop new treatments or preventive strategies to address this issue.

Additionally, this research highlights the importance of taking steps to prevent bacterial infections during pregnancy.

This can include basic hygiene practices, such as washing your hands regularly and avoiding contact with people who are sick, as well as seeking prompt medical attention if you experience symptoms of an infection.

Conclusion

Preterm labor is a serious concern for many expectant mothers, and while there are some known risk factors for this condition, new research is uncovering additional factors that may contribute to it.

The recent study into inflammation-related preterm labor offers some hope for future prevention and treatment strategies. Until more is known, women can take steps to reduce their risk of preterm labor by practicing good hygiene and seeking prompt medical attention if they experience any concerning symptoms.