Which statement best defines preterm labor?

Which statement best defines preterm labor?

• A. Regular contractions after 37 weeks with cervical dilation.
• B. Regular contractions after 20 weeks and before 37 weeks with cervical dilation or effacement.
• C. Any contractions during labor.
• D. Labor occurring after 42 weeks.

Answer: (B)

Preterm labor means regular contractions that begin after 20 weeks of gestation but before 37 weeks, accompanied by cervical changes such as dilation or effacement. The timing (before 37 weeks) plus evidence of the cervix changing shows that labor is underway earlier than term. Contractions after 37 weeks define term labor, and contractions alone without cervical change don’t specify preterm labor. Labor that starts after 42 weeks is post-term.

Preterm labor means regular contractions that begin after 20 weeks of gestation but before 37 weeks, accompanied by cervical changes such as dilation or effacement. The timing (before 37 weeks) plus evidence of the cervix changing shows that labor is underway earlier than term. Contractions after 37 weeks define term labor, and contractions alone without cervical change don’t specify preterm labor. Labor that starts after 42 weeks is post-term.