For instance, doctors might not stop preterm labor if they detect maternal high blood pressure , uterine bleeding because of a problem with the placenta, or fetal distress signals like a slowed heart rate. In some cases, preterm labor can be treated to give your baby more time to grow.
Your doctor will likely choose between natural and medicated approaches. Pelvic rest—which means no sex, no vaginal exams, and nothing put into your vagina—is often a must if you're experiencing preterm contractions. In some cases, your doctor may suggest sewing your cervix shut cervical cerclage to help avoid a premature birth, or even resting with your head below the level of your body to further reduce stress on the cervix. You may also be put on bed rest , at least temporarily, to avoid having gravity put pressure on your cervix.
To try to halt your contractions, your doctor will ask you to rest on your left side this position increases blood flow to the uterus , and if you seem dehydrated, she will give you intravenous fluids.
These steps help stop contractions in about 50 percent of women. If your contractions stop and your cervix doesn't dilate during several hours of observation, you will probably be able to go home. Your obstetrician may decide that postponing the birth through medication is the appropriate course of action. While there is no established "right" time to start treatment with medication, many doctors recommend beginning once your cervix becomes two to three centimeters dilated.
These drugs don't usually don't postpone labor for long often not more than a couple of days , but sometimes even a short delay can make a lifesaving difference to your baby. For example, your doctor can begin treatment with corticosteroid drugs between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, which are aimed at preventing or lessening complications in preterm newborns.
Corticosteroids speed maturation of fetal organs, reducing infant deaths by about 30 percent and cutting the incidence of the two most serious complications of preterm birth : respiratory distress syndrome and bleeding in the brain.
They are given by injection and are most effective when administered at least 24 hours before delivery. Other medication options include magnesium sulfate which might reduce the risk of cerebral palsy and tocolytics which temporarily slow contractions. It's important to note, though, that preterm labor medications aren't completely harmless. Putterman says. Your contractions are unlikely to stop on their own if your cervix is dilating. As long as you're between 34 and 37 weeks and the baby already is at least 5 pounds, 8 ounces, the doctor may decide not to delay labor.
These babies are very likely to do well even if they're born early. If you have concerns about preterm contractions, speak with your doctor who can recommend strategies to help you safely get to 40 weeks.
By Richard Schwarz, M. If an incompetent cervix is caught early enough, a procedure known as a cerclage, in which the cervix is stitched closed, can be performed. This treatment may prevent pregnancy loss or preterm birth. In addition to dilating, your cervix will also start to efface late in pregnancy. Effacement refers to how thick or thin your cervix is. Prior to pregnancy and into much of the third trimester, your cervix is long and thick.
As labor nears, it begins to shorten and thin out. Effacement is generally measured in percentages by doctors and midwives. When your cervix is completely effaced, it effectively becomes part of the uterine wall, allowing the baby to pass through. The first stage of labor —which is followed by pushing—is typically divided into three phases known as early, active, and transition.
Stage one is complete when the cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters. While being told you're dilated toward the end of your pregnancy is exciting, keep in mind that it doesn't necessarily mean labor is imminent. You can walk around for weeks with your cervix at 1 cm, or go from zero to 10 cm over the course of one day. Talk to your practitioner if you have any questions or concerns about this important precursor to your baby's birth. Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy.
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