What is the term for the onset of labor before 37 weeks gestation?

The term that refers to the onset of labor before 37 weeks of gestation is known as preterm labor. This condition is significant in obstetrics as it poses various risks to the infant, including low birth weight and developmental issues. Preterm labor can occur for a variety of reasons, including maternal health issues, complications with the pregnancy, or infections.

Labor dystocia refers to a difficult or abnormal labor, typically related to the progression of labor in terms of cervical dilation or fetal descent, rather than the timing of contractions in relation to gestational age. Post-term labor describes labor that occurs after 42 weeks of gestation, which is a different concern altogether as it involves prolonged gestation rather than early onset. Prolonged labor denotes labor that lasts too long, rather than the early initiation of labor.

Overall, this clearly establishes preterm labor as the correct term for labor that begins prior to 37 weeks of gestation, highlighting the importance of recognizing and managing this condition in obstetric care.