Preterm labor is a very serious complication in pregnancy because the labor begins prior to the 37 week’s gestation period. There are various signs of preterm labor which women usually ignore because they think that these are just temporary sensations. However, women experiencing the signs of preterm labor must visit the doctor to get themselves checked to avoid complications.

It is very difficult for babies to survive who are born at just 23 weeks or less. The chances of survival increase if the baby is born at 25 weeks or above, but such babies are more susceptible to long-term difficulties. Several organ systems mature in the normal fetus between 34 and 37 weeks. So the babies born before that period have health risks. The lungs are the last organs to develop, and that is why doctors provide extra medication to women who have to face preterm delivery in order to increase the lung size of the baby and help it to survive.

To the avoid premature birth of your baby, you should pay heed to the signs of preterm labor that your body repeatedly gives you. Early detection of signs can help you to avoid premature delivery and give your baby a better chance of survival. Some women are more likely to go through preterm labor than others, but this can happen to any pregnant woman.

What are the signs of preterm labor?
There are some common signs and symptoms of preterm labor. Pregnant women may experience menstrual-like cramps and this may or may not be accompanied by diarrhea. Vaginal discharge may increase and become pink or reddish in color. Pain during urination can be an indication of urinary tract infection which is not good for the baby. All kinds of infections must be immediately treated otherwise the baby can also get the infection which its immunity system cannot fight and this can reduce its chances of survival. Pregnant women may also have a persistent, dull ache in the pelvic area, lower back, thighs and the lower belly area. Having four or more contractions in twenty minutes or eight and more in an hour regularly is also a sign of preterm labor.

Fever, fatigue and pain in the belly area can be signs of preterm labor. Excessive swelling that appears suddenly on the face or hands and continuous vomiting may be an indication of preeclampsia which can lead to premature labor and birth if ignored.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder and in this, women who are pregnant for more than twenty weeks experience high blood pressure problems and a significant amount of protein discharge in the urine. This increases the health risk for both the mother and the baby.

What can be done to treat these signs of preterm labor?
If you are experiencing these signs of preterm labor, you first need to visit the doctor who will do a thorough inspection of your condition and help you to understand whether the symptoms you are facing are those of preterm labor or false labor. As the signs of preterm labor overlap with those of a normal pregnancy, it is very difficult for a person to judge which sign indicates what.

To start with, you can lie down with a watch in hand and check the number of contractions that you experience in an hour. Increasing your water intake helps because dehydration is a major cause of contractions during pregnancy. You also need to empty your bladder and lie down on your left side for an hour. If all these things do not help, then your doctor can prescribe medication to delay labor as much as possible. Such medications can include antibiotics to treat or prevent infection, antenatal corticosteroids to speed up the process of lung development in case the baby needs to be delivered and Tocolytic medicines to stop preterm labor.

Surgeries like cervical cerclage can also help to stop preterm birth in case the woman has a history of preterm labor. In this surgery, stitches are placed in the cervical area to close it during pregnancy which prevents the cervix from opening early and leading to preterm labor or miscarriage.

What increases your risk of going through preterm labor?
If a woman is pregnant with more than one baby, it can cause such complications. Infections of the urinary area or vagina can also increase the risk. If the cervix is shortened or is not working properly, the chances of preterm labor are high. Getting pregnant at a very young age or continuing smoking and intake of drugs like cocaine can be important factors in increasing the chances of preterm labor.

If you are experiencing the signs of preterm labor mentioned above, you should take immediate action. Keeping yourself and your baby safe is the first priority.