Premature labor is defined as labor before the 37th week of pregnancy. The thought of going into labor early is frightening for all pregnant women. There are good reasons for this fear. Very early labor can result in lifelong disability or loss of the infant. In some cases, pre term labor can be avoided or stopped if it begins. Knowing the warning signs can help you get treatment as soon as possible.
Warning signs of premature labor include: contractions every ten minutes or more, cramps that resemble menstrual cramps, back ache, bleeding, change in discharge including more fluid, diarrhea. Don’t look for all these symptoms at the same time. You may just have one or two. Call your doctor even if you just have one symptom. It’s better to call than to wait. The doctor may tell you to come in and get checked, lie down on your left side for an hour or drink a few glasses of water.
You may think the doctor telling you to drink water is strange, or even ridiculous. There is a good reason for this. Dehydration can cause pre term contractions. These contractions are generally similar to Braxton Hicks contractions and in most cases, won’t result in a premature birth. Once you are hydrated, the contractions will usually stop. In the hospital, women are given IV fluids if dehydration is thought to be a problem. This is more common in the hot months or hot climates.
If this happens to you, avoid dehydration in the future. Be sure you are getting enough fluids every day. You should be getting at least 8 glasses per day. At least half of these, or 4 glasses should be water. The other fluids should be milk or juice. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine. This includes coffee and sodas. Caffeine is a diuretic and increases dehydration. Spending time out in the sun is also dehydrating. Avoid time out in the sun and heat whenever possible. If you are out in the sun, increase your fluid intake. Take water with you and sip it constantly to prevent dehydration. It’s easier to prevent it than to try to correct it later.
If contractions continue, the doctor may have you come into the hospital to be checked. There are drugs that can be given to stop premature labor. These include ritodrine, indomethacin and magnesium sulfate. These are given either orally or through and IV, depending on the drug used. You may be given steroids to help speed up lung development. This can help reduce respiratory problems by up to 50%. In some cases, you may be given an antibiotic, if the doctor is concerned about infection.
In some cases, women are asked to restrict activity. This can range from getting more rest to complete bed rest. You may be told to avoid sex and to avoid stressful situations. If you are working, you may have to stop. This can be stressful if you aren’t financially prepared for it. Try to relax and avoid becoming stressed or upset.
Know the signs of pre term labor and call your doctor right away if you experience any of them. Try not to worry about it. There is a lot doctors can do to stop the labor. If the baby is born early, there are many treatments to help increase the chances of a good outcome than ever before. Worry and stress are never good for a pregnant woman, so do your best to relax and remain calm.