Home Food & Cooking Travel Health Writing Pregnancy Raising Kids Money Reviews Pets Home & Garden Odds & Ends Emergencies Magazines $10 & Less

Preterm or premature labor is a condition where labor begins anytime before the 37^th week of the pregnancy, i.e., three weeks before it would be full term.

Your risk of experiencing a preterm labor can be increased by a number of factors. These can include such things as the poor health of the mother, preeclampsia (which is often signified by a sudden elevation in blood pressure), a physical trauma such as a fall, or drug use.

• There have been incidents where an emotional shock has induced preterm labor, but such instances are rare.
• Preterm labor is more likely to occur in women carrying multiples.
• If you've experienced preterm labor during a previous pregnancy, your risk of experiencing it again is increased.

Despite all the advances in medical science, the rates of preterm labor have not decreased. However, the possibility of stopping the labor has increased, as have the chances of the baby surviving a premature birth.

A magic pill does not exist which will prevent you from experiencing preterm labor, but you can increase your chances of carrying your baby to term if,

• See your doctor regularly and begin prenatal care early.
• Don't smoke, drink, or do drugs.
• Eat a well balance diet, get plenty of rest, and moderate exercise.

If you are experiencing vaginal bleeding or an unusual vaginal discharge, call your doctor immediately!

• Vaginal bleeding
• Vaginal discharge, especially if it has a thick mucus like consistency
• A dull pain in your lower back
• Abdominal or menstrual like cramps
• It feels as if the baby is trying to push down
• Your water breaks
• Rhythmic uterine contractions, these may be painless
• Sharp abnormal pains

If you think you are experiencing preterm labor symptoms:

• Try to relax.
• Lay down on your left side for about an hour.
• Drink a few glasses of water or juice.

If the symptoms do not dissipate after an hour, call your doctor.

• If they do go away, be sure to mention the incident to your doctor.

If you are experiencing preterm labor the chances of stopping it are greatly increased - the earlier it can be addressed.

• If your condition worsens or if you 'know' that something is going wrong with pregnancy, go to the emergency room immediately.

• If preterm labor cannot be stopped, your baby's chances of survival are increased if the premature birth occurs in a hospital setting.

If your doctor tells you to relax and don't worry – relax.

• However, if the symptoms do not dissipate or if they worsen, call the doctor back so that your condition can be reevaluated.

If your doctor recommends that you go to the emergency room, call an ambulance or have someone else, drive you in.

• Thinning or dilation of the cervix
• Presentation of the baby

If you are experiencing preterm labor you will most likely be immediately hospitalized and placed on bed rest.

• An ultra sound will be preformed to check on the baby.
• An amniocentesis test will also be done to determine the baby's development.
• You will also be subjected to a plethora of tests including a blood work up, urine test, and your cervix will be tested for signs of infection. These tests will help determine treatment options and may explain why the preterm labor began.

Unless your baby is very near full term, your doctor will attempt to stop the labor.

• Sometimes all that is needed is bed rest and plenty of fluids.
• At other times, medication is needed to stop the labor.

Medicating the mother is not always advisable, nor is it always effective. In such cases, if the labor cannot be stopped by other means, the baby will be delivered.

• The baby's chances of survival will depend upon a number of factors including the length of gestation and its general health.