By definition, premature labour is when labour occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy. It causes your cervix to open too early than the due date. Some deliveries happen on their own. In other instances, there’re health concerns that lead to early delivery.
This medical concern puts the baby at risk of health difficulties. Therefore, babies may need special care in the neonatal unit. An otherwise healthy woman can have preterm labor as well. It doesn’t mean an expectant mother definitely has a prominent risk factor for it. Get in touch with the most trusted obstetrician in Siliguri.
What are the signs associated with premature labour?
Act fast if you notice any of such signs:
- Lower abdominal cramping feels like menstrual cramping
- Abdominal pain that may feel like gas pains
- Persistent lower back pain
- Back pain that comes and goes
- A frequent sensation of contractions
- A feeling of lower abdominal or pelvic pressure
- Mild bleeding or vaginal spotting
- Fluid leaking from the vagina
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Some of the signs like backache, vaginal pressure are normal to have during gestation. However, wise to seek medical attention early on. Your obstetrician lets you know about the normal discomforts to take place this time. Contact your healthcare provider to prevent the risk of premature labour.
Several reasons for premature labor
The exact cause of premature labour is not well identified. Researchers have suspected various contributing factors for such occurrence:
Smoking affects the baby’s growth, causes premature rupture of membranes, and increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, infant morbidity
- A short cervix can increase the risk of premature labor caused by trauma, insufficient cervix, abnormalities of the cervix, heredity
- The presence of excessive amniotic fluid in the uterus may be a potential risk of premature labor, known as polyhydramnios
- Recent pregnancy with a premature labor condition can put you at the risk
- Pregnancy with twins or multiple pregnancies uplifts the risk due to excessive uterine distension
- The presence of birth defects is associated with the possibility of delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy and low birth weight
Further conditions that may lead to preterm labor include – the interval of the next pregnancy being less than 12 months, problems concerning the placenta, uterus-related concerns, misuse of drugs, excessive mental stress, depression, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, pre-existing diabetes, pregnancy in younger age (below 17), pregnancy in older age (over 35), et al.
Make sure you go for routine prenatal checkups as scheduled. Look after your food choices and day-to-day food consumption. Work out in order to benefit your overall well-being. If you have had previous preterm labour, get apt guidance from your obstetrician this time.