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Expert Q&A
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| By Linda Given-Welch, CNM Linda Given Welch Certified Nurse Midwife Women's Health Specialists, Chicago | ||
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I'm five months pregnant and I've been having sets of contractions off and on. Some of them get pretty regular and strong. What could be causing these so early on?
Please call your health care provider immediately to discuss this. Any regular contractions prior to term (38 weeks of pregnancy) require evaluation to rule out premature labor. Many women note mild irregular contractions (often called Braxton-Hicks) throughout pregnancy, and especially when very active, when the bladder is full and after sex. I instruct all my patients to notify me if they notice an increase in frequency, severity or length of these contractions or if there is any bleeding or leaking of fluid from the vagina."
