Which of the following is a major diagnostic criterion for preterm labor?

The correct answer involves contractions that are more frequent than every 10 minutes, as this is a significant indicator of preterm labor. In the context of preterm labor, contractions often signal the body’s preparation for delivery. When contractions occur frequently—especially more than every 10 minutes—it may indicate that the body is entering the labor process before a full-term gestational age is reached, which is defined as 37 weeks or more.

Other options, such as having a gestational age over 37 weeks, would actually be indicative of being at term, and therefore would not align with the diagnosis of preterm labor. Cervical dilation of less than 2 cm is not sufficient on its own to diagnose preterm labor, as patients can have some cervical dilation without necessarily being in labor. Finally, the absence of contractions contradicts the concept of labor; the presence of regular contractions is crucial for the diagnosis of labor, whether preterm or at term. Understanding these criteria allows for timely intervention and management to optimize outcomes for both the mother and the infant.