What exactly is premature labor? What are the risks? Find out the warning signs of premature labor and what you can do to help to prevent it.
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So How Is Premature Labor Defined?
During pregnancy as well as feeling excitement and anticipation many women will worry about going into labor too early.
The majority of pregnancies will last to term which is 39 or 40 weeks. Early term labor occurs if you are 37 or 38 weeks pregnant. You are said to be preterm if you go into labor when you are between 20 and 37 weeks pregnant.
If you do go into preterm labor you may not necessarily give birth prematurely. Your doctor will aim to keep baby right where it is for as long as possible. Depending on circumstances you may just require hospitalisation, strict bed rest and monitoring until your baby is born.
Of course if you experience preterm labor you are always at risk of a premature birth. This can affect your baby in various ways. They may have a low birth weight, underdeveloped organs, difficulty breathing, a risk of learning difficulties, and sight or hearing problems.
Not all preterm labors result in premature births and not all premature babies will have complications which is reassuring.
There are various risk factors for preterm labor and things you can do to help prevent this.
What Will Increase Your Chances Of Premature Labor?
- Being pregnant will multiples, twins, triplets etc
- If you have had a previous premature delivery
- Smoking cigarettes
- Taking illegal drugs
- Drinking alcohol
- Working long hours with little rest during your pregnancy
- If you have any vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy
- Being diabetic
- High blood pressure
- Gum disease
- A high level of amniotic fluid
- A fetal birth defect
- A high level of stress
- If you have infection in the bladder, kidney, urinary tract, vagina, or ant sexually transmitted infections
- If there is only a short time between pregnancies (less than 9 months)
- If you got pregnant from in vitro fertilisation
- A lack of medical care during pregnancy
How To Help Prevent Premature Labor
- Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy, balanced diet, and watch your weight gain. Take prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid and make sure you stay hydrated.
- Give up what you need to. Smoking, drinking, and drugs of any kind unless they are prescribed by your doctor.
- Get all of the medical care required during your pregnancy. Factors that may put you at risk of preterm can be found and treated.
- Don’t have your babies too close together. Aim for around 18 months between each pregnancy.
- Have regular dental treatment to prevent gum disease.
- Ensure any infections you have are treated right away.
- Always make sure you empty your bladder when you need to. Holding on to it can irritate your bladder when can then bring on contractions.
The Signs Of Premature Labor
It is important that you know the signs of pretermature labor so that you can act quickly and get the medical care that you need.
Cramps – Cramping in the lower abdomen. These may feel like menstrual cramps. You may also get diarrhoea with the pains.
Back Pain – Lower back pain that can be constant or come and go. You will usually find that you can’t relieve the pain with rest or positional changes.
Leaking Fluid – If there is any fluid leaking from your vagina this could mean that your waters have broken.
Nausea/Vomiting – If you find that you can’t keep fluids down for 6-8 hours then you must contact your doctor.
Pressure – Feeling a pressure in your pelvis like your baby’s head is pushing down.
Vaginal Discharge – If there has been a change in your vaginal discharge or the amount has increased.
Bleeding From The Vagina – This includes any light bleeding or spotting that you may have.
Contractions – Having five or more contractions in a one hour period. These are not to be confused with Braxton-Hicks contractions.
You can tell if you are having an actual contraction by placing your hand over your lower abdomen. You will be able to feel your abdomen hardening all over as the muscles contract. When the pain stops, your abdomen will soften again.
It is important that you know the signs of premature labor. If you have any of these symptoms and you are concerned that you are going into premature labor call your doctor or midwife immediately.
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