Pre-term (Premature) labor is childbirth that begins before the baby is ready. This type of labor occurs between the 20^th and 37^th week of pregnancy. If you begin to have signs of premature labor before the 20^th week it is termed a miscarriage. If you begin to have signs of labor after the 37^th week it is termed a full-term labor.

Even though smoking is a cause for preterm, generally smoking is more related to low birth weight versus preterm labor. (but that is not always the cause either) plenty of smoking moms have regular size babies as well. You should still have some ultra sounds done pretty soon (ask your doctor next time you see him/her when they have another one. Plus every visit you go to (once you start showing they will measure your belly which indicated the growth rate of the baby as well)

At a minimum, a reduction in smoking habits will at least mildly reduce some of these risks.

There is a lot of conflicting data about the degree and type of effects, smoking has on a fetus.

Just as an example.... Look at some people in general they don't smoke, eat very healthy, exercise daily, live a great life, no stress and they just die young--no indicated reasons. Then you have people that are smokers, drug users, drinkers, don't do anything, no ex cerise, stress over bills etc.. and they can live till they are old. It's all in our genetics. What is right for one person may not be for the other.. so you can't compare yourself to others..

Hope this helps Hun.