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Premature
labor is a very serious complication of pregnancy. Premature
labor strikes quickly and silently in many women during
their pregnancy. Unfortunately, many women do not understand
the signs of premature labor. Early detection can help
prevent premature birth and possibly enable you to carry
your pregnancy to term or to give your baby a better chance
of survival.
Prevention
There
is no 100% sure method of preventing premature labor,
however, there are some basics that you should be aware
of:
Vaginal
Infections: Infections like yeast, bacterial vaginosis,
etc. can all cause premature labor. Having any symptoms
of a vaginal infection checked out and treated, if necessary,
can help diminish the risk of premature rupture of the
membranes (PROM) and premature contractions.
Fluid Levels: Staying well hydrated can also
help prevent premature contractions, this is particularly
true in the summer months.
When you become dehydrated the concentration of oxytocin
can rise in your blood thus causing contractions. Remember,
thirst is not the first sign of dehydration.
Keeping your prenatal appointments: Sometimes
what you think is a normal pregnancy symptoms can really
be an indicator of premature labor. By keeping your
regular OB appointments your doctor or midwife can help
screen you for risk of premature labor and treat it
as early as possible if you do develop signs of premature
labor.
Signs
of Premature Labor
Call your practitioner if you have any of the following:
Contractions or cramps, more than 5 in one hour
Bright red blood from your vagina
Swelling or puffiness of the face or hands, a sign of
preeclampsia
Pain during urination, possible urinary tract, bladder
or kidney infection
Sharp or prolonged pain in your stomach (preeclampsia
signs)
Acute or continuous vomiting (preeclampsia signs)
Sudden gush of clear, watery fluid from your vagina
Low, dull backache
Intense pelvic pressure
Management
of Premature Labor
There are a lot of variables to managing premature labor,
both in medical options and in terms of what is going
on with you and/or your baby. Here are some of the things
that you may deal with when in premature labor.
Hydration (Oral or IV)
Bedrest (Home or Hospital), usually left side lying
Medications to stop labor (Magnesium sulfate, brethine,
terbutaline, etc.)
Medication to help prevent infection (More likely if
your membranes have ruptured or if the contractions
are caused by infection)
Evaluation of your baby (Biophysical profile, non-stress
or stress tests, amniotic fluid volume index (AFI),
ultrasound, etc.)
Medications to help your baby's lung develop more quickly
(Usually if premature birth in inevitable)
Preparation for premature birth
The best outcomes are always prevention and early detection.
Make sure to ask your practitioner to discuss the signs
and symptoms of premature labor with you and your partner
at your next visit.
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