Premature labor is also called as preterm labor. Onset of labor after 28 weeks but before 37 weeks is called as Preterm labor. The infant will weigh less than five and a half pounds at birth as it is a premature labor.
The percentage of preterm labor is around 5-10% this is the rough approximate. It can be caused by various factors. Idiopathic is known as spontaneous preterm labor.
Age: less than 18 yrs and greater than 40 yrs.
Low socio economic status: Maternal and paternal education levels both father and mother if well educated can take care during pregnancy.
Behavioral Factors: Smoking, tobacco chewing, cocaine, poor nutrition and mental stress
Medical Factors: anemia, liver disease, asthma, PIH, renal disease, cardiac disease, TB, hyperthyroidism etc.
If your blood sugar is high, it leads to an increase in the fluid content of your amniotic sac and eventually premature labor pain may set in.
Obstetric risk factors: Past history of previous preterm labor. If you've a past history of, there's a slightly higher chance of you having another premature birth, second trimester abortion, h/o recurrent abortion, cervical trauma.
Infections: acute appendicitis, gastroenteritis, bacterial vaginosis, Intrauterine infection by viruses, protozoa.
Miscellaneous factors: Trauma during any fall or accident, drugs such as quinine.
Signs And Symptoms Known As Warning Signals:
The signs and symptoms will be almost same as normal labor; in case of a preterm labor you may experience a low back pain with or without contractions
Some other signs which a woman can observe herself while the onset of a preterm labor are:
1. Menstrual like cramps
2. Low dull backache
3. Abdominal cramps
4. Feeling of pelvic pressure or heaviness in vagina
5. Increase/change in vaginal discharge: bloody or mucoid
6. Fluid leaking per vagina
Although these signals are not so specific pregnant should never avoid such symptoms as you should be given immediate care as soon as these symptoms are confirms as the warning signals of a preterm labor so you should visit the hospital as soon as you notice these!
General Prevention of a Preterm Labor
1. Improve your lifestyle
2. Be physically active
3. You should have proper knowledge about the pregnancy i.e. should always take pre-pregnancy counseling
4. Always go for a routine medical check up!
Natural Prevention
Looking after yourself can help reduce your risk of having a premature baby you should avoid chewing tobacco, alcohol consumption, stop smoking.
Diet: you should be very strict about your diet. Follow a sugar-free diet to keep your blood sugar in control. If you are on insulin, get your blood sugar level checked at least three times a day.
Maintain your blood pressure: maintain your blood pressure by regularly visiting your doctor and keeping a record at home! This really helps!
- Limit sodium (salt) in your diet do not eat salt more than required as it increases the blood pressure.
- Don't smoke. Smoking has a serious side effect!
- Avoid high alcohol consumption
- Maintain an appropriate body weight because both high and log weight can cause preterm labor.
Lower the stress levels by any of the below means -
1. Breathing exercises
2. Meditation
3. Eat properly
4. Popper exercise
5. Improve your dietary habits have green vegetables, fresh fruits proper nutrition and a good balanced diet
Medical Care
The doctor will react to the first signs of premature labor by ordering strict bed rest and a drip to maintain the fluid balance.
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