Managing Premature Labor at Home: What You Need to Know

Premature labor is a distressing situation that can be difficult to manage, especially if you're not prepared for it. About 12% of all births occur prematurely, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). If you're at risk of having a premature birth, it's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and to work with your healthcare provider to monitor any risk factors and respond to early warning signs. If you experience uterine contractions regularly and your cervix has started to soften, thin and open (dilate) before 37 weeks of gestation, you're likely to be diagnosed with preterm labor.

The health care provider will review your medical history and risk factors for preterm birth and evaluate your signs and symptoms. If you have a history of preterm birth or premature birth, you are at risk of having a subsequent premature birth. If you have a history of premature births, your healthcare provider may suggest weekly injections of a form of the hormone progesterone called hydroxyprogesterone caproate, starting during the second trimester and continuing through week 37 of pregnancy. If you're at risk of having a premature birth due to a short cervix, your doctor may suggest a surgical procedure known as cervical cerclage.

If you have contractions that you think could be a symptom of preterm birth, try walking, resting, or changing positions. Empty your bladder, lie tilted to the left side; this can slow down or stop signs and symptoms. Avoid lying on your back; this can lead to increased contractions. Drink several glasses of water, as dehydration can cause contractions.

Bed rest to control

preterm birth

has not been shown to reduce the risk of preterm birth. Bed rest can cause blood clots, emotional distress, and muscle weakness.Tocolytics can be used for 48 hours to delay preterm birth and allow corticosteroids to provide maximum benefit or, if needed, to be transferred to a hospital that can provide specialized care for your premature baby. Tocolytics don't address the underlying cause of preterm birth and generally haven't been shown to improve outcomes for babies. If you're at risk of having a premature birth or a premature birth, you may feel afraid or anxious about pregnancy.Your doctor or midwife can perform a fetal fibronectin test, which tests your vaginal secretions for a protein that may indicate that labor is imminent.

There are also treatments that can delay or stop premature birth if contractions start prematurely, before 37 weeks of gestation. It sometimes stops on its own (about 30% of the time) or responds to treatment to stop labor or, at least, slow its progress.If you're at risk of having a premature birth, it's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and work with your healthcare provider to monitor any risk factors and respond to early warning signs. Premature or premature birth can be very distressing, but with the right knowledge and support it is possible to manage it effectively.