MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It was built as an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.

MedlinePlus presents high-quality, easy to understand, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted.

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MedlinePlus at a Glance

Offers information on health topics, human genetics, medical tests, medications, dietary supplements, and healthy recipes.
Sourced from more than 1,600 selected organizations.
Provides 40,000 links to authoritative health information in English and 18,000 links to information in Spanish.
In 2018, 277 million users viewed MedlinePlus more than 700 million times.

Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is labor that starts before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. It can lead to premature birth. Premature babies may face serious health risks.

Symptoms of preterm labor include:

Contractions every 10 minutes or more often
Leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina
Feeling of pressure in the pelvis
Low, dull backache
Cramps that feel like menstrual cramps
Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

If you think you might be having preterm labor, contact your health care provider.

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development