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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIf preterm labor seems likely, your health care provider will check to see if your cervix has begun to dilate and whether the fetal membranes have ruptured. The duration and spacing of your contractions may be closely monitored. In some cases, your health care provider may use ultrasound to monitor the length of your cervix. A swab from the cervical canal may be tested for the presence of fetal fibronectin, a glue-like tissue lost during labor.
If you're in preterm labor, you and your health care provider will discuss the risks and benefits of trying to stop your labor.
