How Does Premature Labor Gets More Painful?- Reasons & Preventions

A full-term pregnancy lasts roughly 40 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks sometimes struggle to breathe, feed, and stay warm. Between the 20th and 37th weeks of pregnancy, uterine contractions induce the cervix, or mouth of the uterus or womb, to open sooner than usual, resulting in premature labor. Premature birth can increase the risk of this.

Certain variables, such as carrying twins, might raise a woman’s chances of experiencing preterm delivery. However, early labor’s exact cause or causes remain unknown, and premature labor can happen to a woman for no apparent cause.

Difference Between Preterm Labor and Premature Birth

Both terms mean the same thing — early. Preterm labor is defined as labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy. Labor is the process through which your body prepares to give birth to your child. Premature birth can take place as a result of preterm labor. So in case, your baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it is known as premature birth. Before birth, your baby requires roughly 40 weeks in the womb to grow and develop.

A premature baby bears before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Premature babies are more likely to have major health issues at birth and later in life. In the United States, around one out of every ten newborns is born each year prematurely.

Why do Some Women go into Premature Labor?

There are many reasons you may give birth before your due date; however, if you go into premature labor, your doctor usually won’t know why this happened. You are at an increased risk to experience a premature birth if you:

• have already had a premature baby
• have an ultrasound scan that suggests the neck of your womb (the cervix) does not seem strong enough
• are pregnant with twins or triplets
• have had three or more miscarriages or terminations
• have had previous treatment to your cervix
• smoke
• are underweight or very overweight
• have poor dental hygiene
• have a medical condition such as diabetes.

If your doctor or LMC thinks you are at high risk of premature labor, you may be given a medication called progesterone to help prevent premature birth.

Preterm Labor Risk Factors

Any pregnancy can be affected by preterm labor. Several factors have been linked to an increased risk of preterm labor, however, including:

1- Planned Premature Labor

In some cases, pre-term labor is planned because it’s safer for the baby to be born sooner than later. It could be because of a health condition in the mother (such as pre-eclampsia) or the baby (such as fetal growth restriction).

If your healthcare team knows you need to give birth early, you may be offered an induction or cesarean section.

If this is the situation, you may have some time to prepare for your birth experience.

2- Giving Birth to Multiple Babies

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), women carrying multiple babies should plan to give birth earlier than women carrying single babies the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). It helps to reduce the increased risk of complications, such as stillbirth.

3- Infection

Preterm birth is connected to certain genital tract infections. Bacteria in the genital canal can damage the membranes surrounding the amniotic sac, causing it to rupture prematurely. Bacteria can bring infection and inflammation to the uterus even when the membranes are intact, triggering a series of events that leads to premature labor.

4- Problem with Placenta

Experiencing a problem with the placenta such as placenta previa, placenta accreta, or placental abruption

5- Large Uterus Structure

Going through an excessively large uterus, which is often the case when you’re pregnant with multiples or have too much amniotic fluid

6- Structural Abnormality

Carrying structural abnormalities of the uterus or cervix is also a reason. You may have a cervix that’s shorter than normal (less than 25 millimeters) that thins out (effaces) or opens (dilates) without contractions. It is known as cervical insufficiency, and it may be the result of having had cervical surgery, or it may be something you were born with.

7- Abdominal Surgery

Having abdominal surgery during pregnancy (to remove your appendix, your gallbladder, or a large or suspicious ovarian cyst, for example)

Can I Prevent Premature Birth?

The most important things you can try to have a healthy baby are prioritizing your health before pregnancy and seeking prenatal care.

Even if it isn’t feasible to avoid premature labor and birth, doing the following precautions will help:

• Reduce your tension as much as possible. Every day, set aside some quiet time and ask for assistance when you need it.
• Gum disease is also associated with premature delivery, so clean and floss your teeth daily.
• Quit smoking if you’re a smoker.

Conclusion

If labor hasn’t started, your doctor will look into what’s causing your symptoms and if you and your baby will benefit from additional therapy. They may advise you to stay in the hospital so they can keep an eye on you and your baby or consult the Best Gyne Doctor in Islamabad for further assistance through Marham.pk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1- What are preterm labor symptoms?

Following are the signs and symptoms of preterm labor:

• Regular or frequent sensations of abdominal tightening (contractions)
• Constant low, dull backache.
• A sensation of pelvic or lower abdominal pressure.
• Mild abdominal cramps.
• Vaginal spotting or light bleeding.

2- How long can premature labor be delayed?

Birth is usually postponed for at least 48 hours and preferably longer if necessary. The method is typically avoided if feasible due to the potential problems. Using medicines or a cesarean operation to hasten birth.

3- Can bed rest delay labor?

We find no evidence that bed rest during pregnancy — at home or in the hospital — effectively treats preterm labor or prevents premature birth.

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