"Preterm labor awareness"

What causes Preterm labor?

Well this is still a scientific mystery. There are many risk factors as previously discussed, but nobody truly knows the exact cause. Stress can significantly impact your body in a way that can increase your risks of preterm labor.

Preterm labor can not always be prevented so that is why it is so important that every pregnant mother be educated to get early treatment that can help prolong her pregnancy as long as possible.

Warning signs of preterm labor

You are the best person to determine if there is a change going on in your body that is out of the ordinary. From day one in your pregnancy you will have a pattern that will become routine or normal feeling. Some of the signs of preterm labor can be misinterpreted as what occurs in a normal pregnancy. Just try to notice something that does not feel right. You may just have a feeling that something is different.

• Uterine Contractions: The muscles of the uterus are tightened or flexed. To determine if you are having contractions you must place your hand and fingers on your abdomen. Look at your hand, and your abdomen, can you push in and feel that your abdomen feels soft? When you are having a contraction your abdomen will feel like a flexed muscle. To determine how this feels try placing your hand on your bicep muscle in your arm. If you flex your muscle you will feel the change that you may feel in your abdomen. Having a contraction once in a while is normal in pregnancy but regular contractions are not. There are things that we do that can increase contractions. If you have a full bladder, change positions or other activities this may cause your uterus to contract. Determining if you are having contractions is a skill that is particularly important because preterm labor can be fairly painless in the beginning. If you feel a series of tightening in your abdomen that seems to have a pattern, contact your healthcare provider. Preterm labor contractions may occur every 10-15 min or closer and may last 40-120 seconds in duration. During this time your abdomen will be tight over the entire surface and will feel like a tight muscle.
The following signs may occur normally in pregnancy as well but if they are present you should monitor yourself to determine if you are having preterm contractions.

• Menstrual –like cramps: May be felt in low abdomen, back or near pubic bone. This may be rhythmic or feel like fluttering. You also may feel a constant cramp.
• Low back ache: the pain may start in the back and radiate to the low abdomen and be either rhythmic or constant.
• Pelvic pressure: a feeling of fullness or pressure in your pelvis and feeling as if the baby is going to push its way out.
• Gastrointestinal disturbances: Diarrhea, feeling of gas or bloating.
• Increase or changes in vaginal discharge: Determine what is normal for you and notice if there are changes or increased amount of discharge. This may be either watery, contain mucus, blood, or be pink or brown.
• You may just feel that something is not right. Even if you can not pinpoint a cause listen to that feeling and go to see your provider.
If you notice any of these things monitor yourself for contractions

Things you can do if you think that you are contracting

1. Use the restroom and empty your bladder frequently (every 2-3 hrs)
2. Drink at least 8-12 (12oz) glasses of non caffeinated beverages per day
3. Lie down on your right or left side
4. Palpate your abdomen for contractions.
5. Call your healthcare provider.

Emergency situations:
If you experience any of the following:
CALL YOUR PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY OR GO TO THE HOSPITAL

• Vaginal Bleeding: if you have bright red bleeding that is a large gush or steady trickle or flow this is an emergency. Get help right away. Lie on your side and keep your feet higher than your heart and head. Please keep all pads to show your provider at the hospital when you are evaluated.
• Spontaneous rupture of the amniotic fluid membranes: “Water breaking” Note Time, Amount, Color, and Odor if there is a constant flow or gush keep the pads and bring to the hospital.
• Severe stomach pain: This pain does not change or go away with position changes. This may occur with or without contractions.