Premature Labor

What is premature labor?

Premature or pre-term labor is labor that begins more than three weeks before you are expected to deliver your baby. Contractions (tightening of the muscles in the uterus) cause the cervix (lower end of the uterus) to open earlier than normal.

Pre-term labor may result in the birth of a premature baby. However, labor often can be stopped to allow the baby more time to grow and develop in the uterus. Treatments to stop premature labor may include bed rest, fluids given intravenously (in your vein), and medications to relax the uterus.

There are times when premature labor should not be stopped; for instance, if there is an infection or if the fetus is in distress.

If born prematurely after the seventh month, a baby would likely survive, but may need to stay for a short time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the hospital. If the baby is born earlier than the seventh month, he or she may be able to survive with specialized care in the NICU.

What are the signs of premature labor?

It is important for you to learn the signs of premature labor so that you can recognize them and get help to stop it and prevent your baby from being born too early. Premature labor is usually not painful, but there are several warning signs, including:

• Four or more contractions or tightening of the muscles in the uterus in one hour
• Regular tightening or low, dull pain in your back that either comes or goes or is constant (but is not relieved by changing positions or other comfort measures)
• Lower abdominal cramping that may feel like gas pain (with or without diarrhea)
• Increased pressure in the pelvis or vagina
• Menstrual-like cramps
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Leaking of fluid from the vagina
  Vaginal bleeding
• Decreased fetal movements (the baby does not kick as often as it usually does)

What should I do if I have signs of premature labor?

Call your health care provider right away if you have:

• Leaking of fluid from the vagina
• Vaginal bleeding
• Sudden increase of vaginal discharge

Lie down and check for contractions if you have any of the following signs of premature labor:

• Menstrual-like cramps or abdominal cramps
• Low, dull backache
• Pelvic or vaginal pressure
• Vaginal discharge changes

To check for contractions, place your fingertips on your abdomen. If you can feel your uterus tightening and softening, you can then record how often the contractions are happening. To time your contractions, at the beginning of one contraction and again at the beginning of the next contraction, write down the time.

If you have four or more contractions in one hour that do not go away after changing your position or relaxing, call your health care provider. Also call your health care provider if the warning signs listed above do not go away in one hour or if pain is severe and persistent.

What happens if I have to go to the hospital?

After talking to your health care provider about your signs of premature labor, he or she may tell you to go to the hospital. Once you arrive:

• You will be asked to wear a hospital gown.
• You will be given fluids.
• Your pulse, blood pressure and temperature will be checked.
• A monitor will be placed on your abdomen to check the baby