Premature Labor

A full-term pregnancy lasts 38 to 42 weeks. Your due date is the average of this range, 40 weeks. Babies born before 36 weeks are considered premature because they may have problems with breathing, eating, keeping warm, and may have medical problems.

Premature labor is defined as regular, strong contractions accompanied by dilation of the cervix occurring between the 20th and the 37th weeks of pregnancy. It could result in the birth of a premature baby. It may be possible to prevent a premature birth by being aware of the warning signs of premature labor and seeking care early if these signs should occur. There are some effective treatments available.

WARNING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Call your physician or nurse-midwife if you have any of these symptoms before 36 weeks:

• Uterine contractions that occur every 10 minutes or less, with or without any other warning signs. You may notice a contraction because of pain but before term, contractions that are concerning may not be painful. If you notice a tightening of your uterus, feel it with your fingers. During a contraction the surface of your belly over your uterus will be as hard as your forehead. Also, check different areas of your uterus, since a portion of your uterus may feel hard when the baby is directly under it. During a contraction, the whole uterus will feel hard.
• Menstrual-like cramps felt in lower abdomen and/or back.
• Low, dull backache felt below waistline. May come and go or be constant.
• Pelvic pressure that comes and goes with the tightening of the uterus described above.
• Abdominal cramping with or without diarrhea.
• Increase in vaginal discharge. Most women notice an increase in vaginal discharge in pregnancy in general, but if there is more than you have noticed so far in the pregnancy, especially if accompanied by uterine tightening or if bloody, report this.

INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU NOTICE THESE SYMPTOMS

• Empty your bladder. A full bladder may put pressure on the uterus, causing it to contract.
• Drink 2-3 glasses of fluid. If the body is not well hydrated, that can cause muscle contractions.
• Lay down for 1 hour. Lying on your left side is preferred as doing so increases blood supply to the uterus. Resting may, by itself, stop contractions.
• Feel for contractions. Remember, contractions do not always cause pain or discomfort. Count how many contractions occur in 1 hour.
  If contractions stop, slowly return to your normal activity.
  If contractions continue, call your physician or nurse-midwife if you have more than 5 contractions in 1 hour.
  

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