Preterm Labor
Preterm Labor
It is defined as the condition in which contraction in uterus occurring before time during pregnancy which causes opening of cervix. Preterm labor occurs usually at 20 weeks (about 4 and a half months). It is a complicated situation which can cause a premature birth of baby and due to which baby will suffer from premature birth problems.
Symptoms
Following are the signs and symptoms of preterm labor:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal pressure
- Low back pain
- Regular feeling of contractions
- Rapture in membrane
- Mucus or water like vaginal discharge
Complications
If left untreated it may lead to the premature birth of baby which can be fatal for newborn a cause some serious health problem.
Diagnosis
After taking history and doing physical examination your doctor might recommend the following tests:
- Ultrasound to check the basic measurement and position of baby.
- Vaginal secretion test to check the any infection
- Pelvic examination to check any physical abnormalities
- Blood test to check complete blood count
- Urinary analysis
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Tocolytics to slow the contractions
- Corticosteroids which help in lungs development of baby
- Magnesium sulfate to reduce the risk of brain damage of newborn
- Surgical process include cervical cerclage in which cervix is close by stitches
Lifestyle and home remedies
Following tips help you:
- Stay hydrated
- Eat healthy food
- Exercise daily
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid stress