Are you a mother who is expecting a baby with great anticipation and high hopes? Then your greatest hope is to deliver a healthy baby into this world at the right time. But sometimes, unexpectedly, labor can begin weeks before the due date. Today, we are going to talk about this topic that is important to many mothers.
What exactly is premature labor?
Simply put, we call premature labor, or ``premature labor,'' when your body starts preparing for labor at least three weeks before your due date.
This may sound a little scary. But the good news is that doctors can do a lot to delay this early delivery. Because every day your baby grows inside your womb is precious. The longer your baby stays in the womb until the due date, the fewer problems they will have after birth.
What are the factors that increase the risk of this condition?
There are many reasons why a premature birth can occur. Let's take a look at what they are. Perhaps one or more of these may apply to you.
| Risk factor | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle | Smoking, alcohol or other drug use. |
| Body weight and age | Being overweight or underweight before pregnancy. Being under 20 years of age or over 40 years of age. |
| Health conditions | Having high blood pressure, preeclampsia, diabetes, blood clotting disorders, or other infectious conditions. |
| Pregnancy-related matters | Having twins or more children in the womb, getting pregnant through a technique such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), or having a baby with a birth defect. |
| Previous experience | Having had a premature birth in a previous pregnancy. Having someone in the family have had the same. Having had one child and then getting pregnant again soon after. |
| Prenatal care | Lack of proper medical advice and prenatal care during pregnancy. |
Be aware of these symptoms!
To prevent premature labor, you need to be aware of the warning signs . Acting quickly can make a big difference. If you have any of these signs, tell your doctor right away .
| Symptom | What does it feel like? |
|---|---|
| Backache | A constant or intermittent pain in the lower back. This does not go away even if you change your position or do something else. |
| Contractions | If you experience abdominal pain every 10 minutes or less and it gradually gets worse. |
| Lower abdominal pain | Menstrual cramps. May feel like your stomach is full of gas, and may be accompanied by diarrhea. |
| Vaginal discharge | Watery or other fluid discharge from the vagina. |
| Increased vaginal discharge or bleeding | More discharge than usual or slight bleeding. |
| Pressure in the lower abdomen or vagina | A strange feeling of pressure or heaviness in the lower abdomen or vagina. |
| Symptoms of fever | Symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea. Tell your doctor, even if they are minor. If you cannot drink water for more than 8 hours, be sure to see a doctor. |
Some of these symptoms may seem like normal pregnancy discomforts, such as backache. But if you have even the slightest doubt, it's best to ask your doctor about it. Never ignore these symptoms.
How to check for contractions?
This is the main feature of childbirth.
- Place your fingertips on your stomach .
- If you feel your uterus tighten and then relax again, that's called a 'contraction'.
- Keep a record of when these pains occur. Write down the time one starts and the time the next one starts.
- Try to stop this pain. If you are standing, sit down. Change positions . Relax well. Drink two or three glasses of water.
- If the pain continues to occur every 10 minutes or less, if the symptoms worsen, or if there is severe pain, call your doctor immediately.
Sometimes during pregnancy, you may experience false contractions called `Braxton Hicks contractions.` These are irregular, not continuous, and go away when you change positions or rest. They are not part of labor. But if you are not sure what the pain is, be sure to seek medical advice.
What happens if I have to go to the hospital?
If your doctor suspects that you are in premature labor , you may be admitted to the hospital. When you go to the hospital, a doctor or nurse will do the following:
- They will ask about your medical history and the medications you took during pregnancy.
- They will check your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature.
- A monitor will be placed on your abdomen to monitor your baby's heartbeat and your contractions.
- A sample is taken for a test called ``Fetal Fibronectin``, which can predict the risk of having a premature baby.
- Checks for urinary tract or cervical infections.
- Checks to see if the cervix is opening for delivery.
If you are diagnosed with `premature labor`, you may be given the following treatments:
- Giving saline (IV fluids).
- Giving medication to relax the uterus and stop the pain.
- Giving special medications (steroids) to help the baby's lungs develop faster .
- Give antibiotics if there is an infection.
- Hospitalization and treatment.
In some cases, if the pain cannot be controlled, doctors may decide to deliver the baby. If there is a serious medical condition, such as preeclampsia, or if there is a risk to the mother or baby, doctors may decide to deliver the baby early.
What happens if the baby is born early?
Not all premature babies are the same. Most often, babies born after 7 months have to stay in the hospital's ``NICU'', which is the neonatal intensive care unit . Babies born even earlier face even more challenges. They need special care from specialist doctors and nurses in the ``NICU''.
Even if they are born prematurely, most babies grow well and become normal like other babies over time. However, there may be a risk of some long-term health problems.
Once you and your baby are home, you need to be especially careful about these things. If there are any problems, you should talk to the doctor immediately.
Nursing
Premature babies suckle a little more. So you will need to breastfeed more often (maybe every 3-4 hours). If your baby refuses to drink milk, tell your doctor.
Sleeping
These babies may be more sleepy than other babies. They may also sleep during feeding times. So wake the baby up when it is time to feed. Always put the baby to sleep on his back.
Breathing
If you notice that your baby is having difficulty breathing, see a doctor immediately or call 1990 .
Body Temperature
These babies have little body fat, so it's hard to control their body temperature. So protect them from the cold. Keep the room warm.
Jaundice
If your baby's skin or eyes turn yellow, it could be a sign of jaundice. This means that your baby's liver is unable to remove a substance called bilirubin from the blood. Get tested for this before you leave the hospital. If you notice any symptoms after you get home, see a doctor right away.
Infections
Premature babies' immune systems are not fully developed, so they are more susceptible to infections. Watch for symptoms like fever and difficulty breathing.
Take-Home Message
- Be well aware of the warning signs of premature labor (backache, pain, vaginal discharge).
- If you have any suspicious symptoms, don't assume it's something trivial, but call your doctor immediately.
- The best way to prevent this condition is to receive proper medical advice and prenatal care during pregnancy.
- It is very important to lead a healthy lifestyle by avoiding smoking, alcohol, and reducing stress.
- If your baby is born prematurely, don't worry. With proper medical care and special care at home, your baby can be raised healthy.
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