You're in preterm labor (also known as premature labor) if you start to have contractions that efface or dilate your cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Call your doctor or midwife right away if you're having any of the following symptoms in your second or third trimester (before 37 weeks):
• An increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's just pink or tinged with blood)
• Vaginal spotting or bleeding
• Abdominal pain, menstrual-like cramping, or more than four contractions in one hour (even if they don't hurt)
• An increase in pressure in the pelvic area
• Low back pain, especially if you didn't previously have back pain.
