Preterm Labor can happen to any Pregnant Lady between 20 weeks to 37 weeks of Pregnancy. It happens when regular contractions result in the opening of your cervix before 37 weeks. Mothers need to take good care of themselves to avoid the Preterm Labor Situation. Sometimes, your unhealthy lifestyle, diet, smoking, and alcohol habits can be the reasons behind your Premature Labour.
Babies born from Preterm labor need extra care and are at higher risk of mental and physical disabilities, it can be life-threatening too. Preterm labor can be a cause behind the birth of a premature baby. Therefore, pregnant ladies need to get themselves aware of the warning signs and symptoms of preterm labor.
Once you step into a Second Trimester and Third Trimester, you need to be more careful and cautious about the bad warning signs. Generally, the second trimester is called as the Safest Trimester in the whole pregnancy, but it does not mean that you stop taking precautions. It’s better that you are aware of all the good and bad signs during pregnancy.
NOTE: Induction or Caesarean birth should not be planned before 39 completed weeks unless medically indicated – Recommended By WHO
Warning Signs of Preterm Labor
> Preeclampsia (high blood pressure of pregnancy, which increases the risk of preterm labor)
> Fluid leaking and Bleeding from your vagina
> Change in the amount, color or smell of Discharge
> Chronic medical illness (such as heart or kidney disease)
> If your water breaks
> Cramps in your belly that feel like your period
> Pressure in your pelvic area, below or around the baby
> Low dull backache
> 4 or more contractions in 1 hour with or without pain
Other General Warning Signs to Watch During Whole 3 Trimester
> Blood or fluid leaks from your vagina
> Feel pain or burning when you go to the bathroom
> Continuous Nausea and vomiting last more than 3 days
> Unbearable pain in your belly
> Your temperature is over 100 and feeling a chill
> Any Unwanted Accident Happened
> Swelling on Face and Feet
Who is at High Risk for Preterm Labor?
> Pregnant Women who earlier had a premature birth
> Women who have a problem with the placenta, Uterus, and Cervix
> Pregnant with twins, triplets or other multiples
> Still on Alcohol and Smoking cigarettes
> High blood pressure and diabetes
> Too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
> Lower Genital Tract
> Presence of a fetal birth defect
> Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
How to Prevent (Stop) Preterm Birth/Labor
1 # Taking Regular Prenatal Care by visiting your doctor on time. Don’t miss your Prenatal Visits and always discuss every issue and problem with your doctor. It has been seen that women who take good Prenatal care, manage to keep the complications away from them.
2 # Avoid taking a diet high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs). They are found in foods like Walnuts, Sunflower seeds, Flax seeds, Soybean oil, Safflower oil and Fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, albacore tuna, and trout.
3 # Take counseling on a healthy diet and optimal nutrition, ask your doctor about the Good Healthy Diet or What to Eat and Not to Eat During whole Pregnancy phase.
4 # Keep yourself aware of the latest types of chronic disease. Every Pregnant Woman is aware of Diabetes and high blood pressure, but maybe there can be other risks too.
5 # Quit Drinking Alcohol and Smoking the right way without giving or looking for any excuses.
6 # Read about the latest Do’s and Don’ts of First Trimester, Second Trimester and the Third Trimester.
7 # Don’t convince another Baby, less than before 1½ years, try to balance the time between giving birth and getting pregnant again.
