Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is also known as premature labor. Normally, preterm labor occurs when you begin to experience regular contractions or cervical dilation before the 37 weeks of pregnancy are complete. For a normal delivery, the baby is required to stay in the mother’s womb for 38 to 42 weeks. This much time is essential for the baby to develop his organs and tissues.

Preterm labor and preterm birth?

If you start having regular contractions that cause your cervix to begin to open (dilate) or thin out (efface) before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy, you're in preterm labor, also known as premature labor. If you deliver your baby before 37 weeks, it's called a preterm birth and your baby is considered premature.

What Happens During Preterm Labor?

If you think that you may be experiencing preterm labor, contact your health care provider immediately or go to the nearest hospital. You will likely be monitored for contractions and your caregiver will check your baby's heart rate for signs of distress. Your health care provider will also test you for any signs of infection and for cervical dilation or effacement.

Signs of Preterm Labor

If preterm labor is found early enough, delivery can sometimes be prevented or postponed. This will give your baby extra time to grow and mature.Constant backache or pressure without any other signs is not likely to be preterm labor

Swelling or puffiness of the face or hands, a sign ofSudden gush of clear, watery fluid from your vagina

Oftentimes preterm labor will feel like menstrual cramping or a low dull backache. Even if the pain doesn't come and go like contractions normally would, it should still be considered a warning sign.

The reasons for preterm labor are varied and not much conclusive research has been done. Some medical conditions can cause it as can some anatomical abnormalities. These should be discussed with your doctor early in labor if anything is known about them.

Prevention of preterm labor

Although not all preterm labor can be prevented, there are some steps you can take to prevent preterm labor. Drink plenty of water - 8 to 10 glasses a day. Dehydration can cause contractions so staying well hydrated can help prevent contractions. Empty your bladder frequently, about every 2 to 3 hours.

Preterm labor can happen to any woman

Only about half the women who have preterm labor fall into any known risk group. About 12 percent of births (1 in 8) in the United States are preterm. Babies who are born preterm are at higher risk of needing hospitalization, having long-term health problems and of dying than babies born at the right time.

How is Preterm Labor Treated?

The best key is always prevention and early detection. Make sure to ask your practitioner to discuss the signs and symptoms of preterm labor to you and your partner at your next visit. Prompt medical treatment is aimed at halting or postponing premature labor. Some of the treatments involved with preterm labor include Hydration.

Your baby's weight and age. Ideally, preterm labor is delayed until a baby is mature enough that complications after birth are unlikely.The stage of your labor and its rate of progression. For example, when your cervix is well effaced (thinned) and dilated (opened) beyond 4cm, tocolytic medication to slow labor is less likely to be effective.

cervical cerclage - a procedure used to suture the cervical opening. Cerclage is used for women with an incompetent cervix. This is a condition in which the cervix is physically weak and unable to stay closed during pregnancy.

delivery - if treatments do not stop preterm labor or if the fetus or mother is in danger, delivery of the baby may occur. Cesarean delivery may be recommended in certain cases.

Preterm labor is not always treated. When a pregnancy is nearing term (about 37 or more weeks), or when the mother or her fetus has a serious medical problem, preterm labor is usually allowed to continue until delivery.