Final answer:
Uterine contractions accompanied by cervical changes before 37 weeks of gestation are correctly considered as preterm labor, which poses risks of complications due to fetal underdevelopment.
Step-by-step explanation:
True. Uterine contractions with cervical changes before 37 weeks of gestation are indeed considered preterm labor. During labor, the cervix thins (effaces) and dilates (opens) which is necessary for childbirth. Preterm labor involves these same processes occurring before the fetus has reached full-term gestation. An additional indication of true labor includes the rise in frequency and strength of uterine contractions over time, which stretch the cervix further. If labor occurs preterm and leads to birth, it can result in complications for the newborn due to underdevelopment.