does stress cause preterm labor
The beginning of labor is a complex process that is not fully understood. Multiple hormones and body systems in both mother and baby are involved, and predicting when labor will start is very difficult. Because labor is complicated and hard to study, scientists can't say for sure that stress causes preterm labor. But there is an association. In other words, studies show that mothers who experience more stress are more likely to go into labor early, so stress increases a mother's risk of premature labor.
During the second and third trimester dehydration can lead to premature labor. Back to dehydration and premature labor: Dehydration causes blood volume to decrease, which increases the level of oxytocin (the hormone responsible for contractions), and preterm labor results.