Preventing Preterm Labor
- What is Premature Birth?
- Who is at High Risk for Preterm Labor?
- How Can You Help Prevent Preterm Labor?
- Signs and Symptoms of Preterm Labor
- Preventing Preterm Labor and Having a Healthy Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Preparation Tips for Adjusting Your Daily Activities
Preterm or "premature" birth is when your baby is born three weeks or more before it's due. You may have seen pictures of "preemie" babies in their hospital incubators. Some are very tiny, some are not as small, but all were born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. It is best when babies are not born until sometime around 40 weeks of pregnancy. This gives their organs enough time to mature and function well. When babies are born preterm, they have a much higher risk of having health problems throughout their life. They may not be able to suck or to digest well, their livers often cannot function properly, and they may have breathing problems. The good news is that there are many simple things a pregnant woman can do that may help prevent preterm labor.
Who is at High Risk for Preterm Labor?
You may have been told by your health care provider that you are "at risk" for pre-term labor. This can be frightening to hear -- especially when you are aware of the health problems your baby could have if born prematurely. No one can predict who will go into labor too early, but some women seem to have preterm labor more than others. Women at highest risk include: Women younger than 17 years old or older than 35. Women who are carrying twins or any multiple pregnancy. Women who have had more than 3 abortions. Women who have already had a preterm baby. Women who have strenuous activity at work. Remember, many women who have none of these risk factors deliver before they are at full term. All women should be aware of the warning signs for preterm labor.
How Can You Help Prevent Preterm Labor?
Whether or not you have been told you are at high risk for preterm labor, you should know what you can do to prevent it. Many women give birth too early even if they are not at high risk. Be prepared. Know what to look for and follow these precautions: See your health care provider for a pre-pregnancy visit. Get early and regular prenatal care. Become aware of the signals your body gives you. Learn the steps you can take to ease preterm labor symptoms should they occur. Understand which activities might be contributing to the symptoms of preterm labor. Look at how you can change your daily activities to reduce or avoid preterm symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Preterm Labor
Never ignore any of these symptoms:
- Menstrual-like cramps (constant or occasional).
- Low, dull backache (constant or occasional).
- Pelvic pressure (feels like the baby is pushing down).
- Abdominal cramping (with or without diarrhea).
- Increase or change in mucous vaginal discharge.
- Uterine contractions every 10 minutes or more often (may be painless).
What Should You Do if You Experience Preterm Labor Symptoms?
Think about what you were doing when the symptoms began. Stop what you were doing. Lie down on your left side for one hour. Drink 2-3 glasses of water or juice. Call your health care provider or go to the hospital if the symptoms get worse during that hour. Return to light activity if the symptoms go away after that hour. Do not do what you were doing when the symptoms began! If the symptoms come back after an hour of rest, call your provider. Never ignore your symptoms or assume they aren't important. Be sure to tell your provider at your next prenatal visit what symptoms you had and what you did about them.
Preventing Preterm Labor and Having a Healthy Pregnancy
No two women are alike when it comes to preterm labor, and there is no formula for preventing it. While some women can do almost anything while pregnant and never feel any symptoms, others have to be more careful. When reading the following advice, keep in mind that you only need to change those activities that bring on preterm labor symptoms. For example, if climbing stairs is not a problem, you don't need to do anything differently. If, however, it brings on any of the symptoms listed earlier, you need to figure out how to change your routines to avoid this activity as much as possible. If you have questions about what you can and can not do, your health care provider can help you figure out which activities are alright.
Watching out for the signs of preterm labor is just one thing you can do to protect your baby. It's important that you get enough rest, seek early and regular prenatal care and make sure that you and your baby get food nutrition. Even though nutritional factors do not usually cause early labor, It is important to get the right amount of healthy foods so your baby can grow and gain weight. Pregnant women should eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, breads, meat, milk and other protein foods. Women of average height and weight should gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. If you are having problems eating or are not gaining weight, talk to your provider. Health care providers recommend that women between the ages of 15 and 44 consume 0.4 milligrams of folic acid (a B-vitamin) daily to reduce the risk of neural tube defects like spina difida that can develop in the fetus early in a pregnancy. Since it is hard to get enough folic acid from foods, you can make up the difference by taking a multivitamin.
Preparation Some health care providers suggest that the breasts be toughened up for breastfeeding. Your provider may have told you to use techniques such as nipple rolling to prepare your breasts. If you notice preterm labor symptoms while you're doing these exercises or just after, take these steps: Stop breast preparation until you talk to your health care provider. Resume preparation after 37 weeks of pregnancy when the danger of delivering preterm is past.
Tips for Adjusting Your Daily Activities
- Rest
- Standing Work
- Strenuous Physical Activity
- Walking
- Traveling
- Commuting
- Sexual Activity
- Alcohol and Drugs Illnesses
Rest is very important for all pregnant women, especially those at risk for preterm labor. Sit with your feet up every morning and afternoon. Lie on your left side for one hour if you experience any preterm labor symptoms. Get extra rest, if possible.
Standing can bring on symptoms in some women. If this is true for you, try some of the following: Plan your day so you can sit with your feet up several times each day. Lie down each morning and each afternoon for 15-30 minutes. If you work outside the home and have to stand most of the time, take 15-minute breaks in the morning and afternoon when you can put your feet up. Sit down while you work or when preparing meals. You might try keeping your feet on a box under your desk.
Most women can work without problems throughout their pregnancies. For some, the physical activity of work can bring on preterm labor symptoms. Pay special attention to any symptoms that happen at work. This is especially important if you perform hard physical work or if your work involves vibrating machinery. Check with your employer to see if any of the following steps might be possible Change to a different department while you are pregnant where the work is not so physically difficult. Work part time for a few months. Change your hours so you don't have the stress of commuting during peak traffic times. If you do have to stop work because your preterm labor symptoms are occurring frequently, your health care provider can provide a note explaining your need for disability time off.
Physical activities can bring on preterm labor symptoms in some women. If any symptoms begin when you are doing any of these activities, don't do them again until you talk to your health care provider.
Sports: Running, jogging, aerobics, bike riding and other active sports can cause problems for some women. If you feel symptoms, stop until you talk to your provider.
Climbing Stairs: If you find that several trips up and down the stairs each day brings on preterm labor symptoms, try to organize your tasks so you make only one trip down and one trip up each day.
Heavy Lifting: Carrying groceries or laundry baskets or toting heavy toddlers can start preterm symptoms in some women. Ask someone to help you. Avoid carrying your toddler by using a stroller, asking the child to walk, or sitting rather than standing with him or her in your arms.
Heavy Housework: Scrubbing floors, washing walls, or any other strenuous housework has to wait until after the baby is born. Lighter housework can be adjusted if you feel any symptoms. Try sitting down when you iron or fold clothes, or prepare food for cooking.
Walking
Walking is a good form of exercise for most pregnant women. For some, however, walking briskly or carrying heavy bags while walking can bring on preterm labor symptoms. If you notice pelvic pressure, cramping, or other discomfort: Slow your pace. Don't carry heavy packages while you walk.
Travelling
Long car and airplane trips can bring on preterm labor symptoms in some women. If you notice this happens to you: Don't take long trips until after the baby is born. Tell your health care provider about the symptoms you had. If you must travel, stop at least once each hour to get up and walk around.
Commuting
Running for the train or bus can cause extra stress for a pregnant woman. To avoid preterm symptoms: Leave home a little earlier than usual allow extra time to get to the bus or train stop. Don't run if you see your bus or train coming! Wait for the next one instead.
Sexual Activity
Most pregnant women don't need to restrict their sexual activity unless they experience preterm symptoms during or after sex. If you have cramping, contractions or any other symptoms after sexual activity: Don't have sex again until you talk to your health care provider. Talk about your symptoms with your partner. See if both you and your partner can talk to your provider about your symptoms and what sorts of sexual activity might be alright.
Alcohol and Drugs
Using alcohol and drugs of any kind can increase your chances of having your baby too early. While you are pregnant do not use: Alcohol. Tobacco. Street Drugs (crack, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, etc.) Drugs of any kind, including over-the-counter, except those specifically prescribed for you by your provider.
Illnesses
Certain infections can cause symptoms of preterm labor. Many times, a woman doesn't realise she has an infection. For that reason, your health care provider will probably do a special test or culture of the lower part of your womb (cervix) sometime during your pregnancy. Infections in your urinary tract can also cause preterm labor. To avoid the problems caused by infections, take the following precautions: Get early and regular prenatal care. Drink at least six glasses of water each day. If you notice burning or pain when you urinate or feel the need to go to the bathroom all the time, tell your health care provider. If your provider gives you medicine for any infection, take it all as directed and check back to make sure the infection is gone.
© 1993 The March Of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Hormone may prevent early birth
Premature births could be prevented by a hormone injection, according to UK research. As many as one in ten women goes into labour early, and at present there are few effective ways of preventing this. Scientists at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary say two proteins are crucial in the timing of labour, and that their levels could be maintained by the use of human chorionic gonadotropin. The Daily Mail 06/01/03; p.7