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Knowing what preterm labor is can be a lifesaver for your unborn child. Watching for signs of it can help you keep your baby growing inside you until 37-40 weeks gestation.
Preterm labor is best defined as the body's attempt to deliver a baby prior to 37 weeks gestation which is considered full-term. Some practitioners will even say that 36 weeks is term, but some babies born one month early will still have prematurity issues.
Even though the uterus contracts on and off throughout an entire pregnancy, any time the contractions get closer together, stronger and longer in duration there is risk of delivering a baby too early. There are some warning signs that can help stop labor from progressing.
Anytime, you feel any cramping that seems to feel abnormal to you, call your care provider. Your own intuition can be powerful and listening to that feeling may save your baby's life.
Oftentimes preterm labor will feel like menstrual cramping or a low dull backache. Even if the pain doesn't come and go like contractions normally would, it should still be considered a warning sign.
In a normal pregnancy the uterus contracts regularly as exercise in preparation for childbirth at which time the cervix opens and the baby is born. Preterm labor progresses the same. The difference between contractions that are normal and those that lead to delivery are that the cervix goes through changes. And there is no sure way to know this without having a vaginal exam done. Such exams should be limited as they have the potential themselves to cause the uterus to contract even more.
Other signs of preterm labor include different or increased vaginal discharge or any bleeding which happens when the cervix dilates. Also, low pelvic pain and rectal pressure can be a sign that the baby is descending in the pelvis and eager to be born.
The reasons for preterm labor are varied and not much conclusive research has been done. Some medical conditions can cause it as can some anatomical abnormalities. These should be discussed with your doctor early in labor if anything is known about them.
If preterm labor does become an issue, bedrest and medications are usually the solution to keep your baby gestating as long as possible. Though neither of these options are very appealing they are a way to save your baby. So watch and listen to your body and talk with your health care provider about any concerns you have.
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