O60: Preterm labour and delivery

O60.1: Preterm spontaneous labour with preterm delivery

Preterm spontaneous labour with preterm delivery, defined by the ICD-10 code O60.1, is a single condition that describes the process in which a pregnant individual goes into labour prematurely, before the 37th week of pregnancy, and gives birth to a preterm, or early, baby. This condition can occur naturally without any apparent cause. Some common symptoms around this time may include contractions (the abdomen tightening like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often, change in vaginal discharge, a sensation of pressure in the pelvic area, or a low, dull backache. It's crucial to know that progression can be very quick, making it sometimes challenging to manage. The condition greatly affects the reproductive system and, critically, the overall wellbeing of both the carrier and the baby, who might encounter health issues owing to the premature birth.