Preterm Labor -- Signs

Yesterday I admitted the sweetest couple who needed to be treated for Preterm Labor. I was very impressed with one of the statements the physician made to the couple regarding preterm contractions. The mother had been relating the fact that she had been feeling tightening for awhile, but having read about Braxton-Hicks contractions, she felt this was normal.

The physician told them that whenever a pregnancy is earlier than 37 weeks (which is considered term), contractions do not have to be considered painful to be effective. She added that by the time these contractions are painful, labor can be too far progressed to stop.

The truth is, there are many signs of preterm labor that may actually be ignored or not even noticed by the mother until preterm labor is much too advanced to be stopped. Some signs of preterm labor are:

• Contractions (which may only feel like "tightening" or the "baby knotting up", which occur more than five times in an hour
• Change in vaginal discharge, leaking fluid or spotting
• A dull, low backache
  
• Cramps that feel like menstrual cramps or gastrointestinal cramps
  
• Pelvic pressure, the feeling that the baby is pushing down

You do not have to experience ALL of these to have preterm labor. If you experience ANY of these symptoms, you need to contact your health care provider. You may worry about making a "false run" to the hospital, but this is one situation where everyone will be pleased if it does turn out to be a "false alarm"!

There are a few things you can do to minimize your chances of preterm labor:

• Be aware of the signs and symptoms of preterm contractions
• Keep all your scheduled visits with your health care provider
• Keep yourself well hydrated
• Be aware of the signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections (a major cause of preterm contractions)

- sharp burning and pain when urinating
-the urge to urinate more frequently than usual
-a strong urge to urinate that can't be delayed
-soreness in the back and sides
-small amount of blood when urinating

If you do experience any signs of either preterm contractions, or urinary tract infections, notify your health care provider as soon as possible.

Next we will discuss how preterm contractions are treated.