What is Preterm Labor
While pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, it can sometimes also be filled with unknowns, worries and concerns. While pregnant, you are more aware of your body as you follow the changes it is going through. If this is your first pregnancy, you may be wondering how you will know when labor has begun. You may also wonder what, of all the new symptoms you are experiencing, is normal. You may wonder how your baby is developing, is he doing well or is there a reason to be concerned.
A healthy, low risk pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. If you go into labor after the 37th week, it is considered a full term pregnancy and there is no reason to be alarmed. However, if you go into labor before the 37 week mark, it is considered a preterm labor. A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature and can be at risk with regard to health problems.
Preterm labor is usually common in pregnancies with multiples, women with previous premature birth experience and women with certain uterine or cervical abnormalities.
Warning signs that you may be experiencing premature labor include 6 or more contractions an hour, leakage from your vagina indicating your water broke, cramps in your lower abdomen, back pain that comes and goes, pelvic pressure and/or an increase in vaginal discharge.
If you think you may be experiencing preterm labor call your healthcare provider immediately. To help prevent preterm labor, take these precautionary actions – lie on your left side, avoid lying on your back (it can cause contractions to increase), empty your bladder, drink plenty of water (dehydration can cause contractions) and count your contractions per hour.
If symptoms continue or worsen, go to triage. At the hospital you will be checked for the frequency of the contractions and your cervix will be examined to see if it is dilated. If your cervix is opening premature labor could be starting.
To stop or prevent premature labor, magnesium sulfate is given, via IV, at the hospital. If birth is unavoidable or seems to be near, corticosteroid is given to help mature the baby’s lungs and brain. While it is usually better for the baby to stay in the womb longer, birth is sometimes unavoidable. In these cases the baby may be admitted to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) for special care.
World Spinner
December, 16th 2010 at 9:41 am
What is Preterm Labor | Pettel Maternity Blog…
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……
Ligero.ca
December, 25th 2010 at 9:12 am
Preterm infants may need a boost to protect against invasitve pneumococcal disease…
This is an interesting article. I’ve added a trackback to it on my site
Thanks!…
Bed Rest | Pettel Maternity Blog
January, 1st 2011 at 8:45 pm
[...] us « Understanding Braxton Hicks What is Preterm Labor [...]
Pregnancy Scares & Concerns-Pregnancy Week By Week...
July, 14th 2011 at 1:41 pm
[...] about 12% of pregnancies end in Preterm labor, most of them occur to women with high risk pregnancy, who are aware of the possibility and their [...]
Advice with a premature baby? | Parenting QnA
October, 6th 2011 at 5:56 pm
[...] Genomics and Inova: Two Companies, 1,500 Genomes, One Ambitious Fight Against Preterm BirthsWhat is Preterm Labor [...]
signs of premature labor??? | Parenting QnA
October, 6th 2011 at 9:42 pm
[...] Women: Eating Well Means Eating WiselyMichael Arrington To Launch A New Blog In A Couple of DaysWhat is Preterm Labor [...]
pre term labour at 34 weeks? | Parenting QnA
October, 9th 2011 at 1:01 am
[...] = 'none'; document.getElementById('singlemouse').style.display = ''; } Pre-term laborWhat is Preterm Labor [...]
What are my chances of carrying a pregnancy to term wi...
October, 9th 2011 at 7:19 pm
[...] = ''; } Incompetent Cervix, Now What?Part 2:Incompetent Cervix/ Cervical Cerclage My personal StoryWhat is Preterm Labor [...]
I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and 4 days ago was ad...
October, 10th 2011 at 12:01 am
[...] PregnancyBack Pain at NightChlamydia Culture and ScreeningWhy I Became a Midwife – TiffanyWhat is Preterm Labor [...]
can a history of smoking also cause premature labor ev...
October, 17th 2011 at 1:05 am
[...] RelationshipIf Your Vaginal Discharge Looks Like This You May Have the Bacterial Vaginosis InfectionWhat is Preterm Labor [...]
can a baby be carried full term under this circumstanc...
October, 17th 2011 at 8:23 pm
[...] A Parent asks, Did anybody have preterm labor and went full term without treatment. I know someone that went into preterm labor at 22 weeks and is 24 weeks now. She was given a prescription but the medicine got finished. The doctor wanted to see her every week but she missed her appointment because she couldn’t afford and would likely miss for the next two weeks. She is still having contractions and was having it even when she was taking the medicine. I want to know if she can possibly have a full term baby without following the treatment. She was dilated 2cm and 50 % effaced when she went into preterm labor. Is the contractions going to make her have the baby early? If anybody, has been in preterm labor , what treatment did you get. would the baby survive if born this early? Mouse here for Related LinksWhat is Preterm Labor [...]
How Early Can A Baby Be Born And Survive? | Parenting ...
October, 23rd 2011 at 2:42 am
[...] = ''; } Due Date Trailer 2010Due Date Trailer 2010What is Preterm Labor [...]
What Are The Chances Of A Full Term Pregnancy? | Paren...
October, 23rd 2011 at 4:09 pm
[...] A Parent asks, When I was pregnant I found out I had a Uteran Septum. Which is a muscle that split straight down my uterus causing me to go into premature labor. I have since removed the muscle. I was just wondering if any women out there have ever had this and what is the outcome after removing the muscle when trying to concieve a 2nd child or even going full term in your 2nd pregnancy. I didn’t know anything about this before I had it, and never knew anyone to have it either. Thanks! Mouse here for Related LinksWhat is Preterm Labor [...]