What you need to know about the threat of preterm labor
About 10% of babies are born prematurely. Premature birth is any time before 37 weeks of gestation. This is more likely if you have a condition that increases your risk.
Premature birth is responsible for 75% of newborn deaths. Growth and development of premature babies is slow. Hearing, vision, respiratory and central nervous system development may be impaired and problems may be encountered at school age.
Factors that may increase the risk of preterm birth
1. Threatened preterm labor in this or a previous pregnancy
2. Having given birth prematurely in a previous pregnancy
3. Multiple pregnancy (two or more fetuses)
4. Previous procedures on the cervix
5. The presence of a wall (septum), fibroids in the reproductive bed
6. Having an infection during pregnancy, especially kidney inflammation
7. Having abdominal surgery during pregnancy (appendicitis, gall bladder, ovarian surgery)
8. Smoking and drug use
9. Bleeding in the first or second trimester of pregnancy
10. Pregnancy without follow-up
11. Being pregnant with an intrauterine device
12. Fetal death
13. Incorrect calculation of gestational age
Signs of Threat of Premature Birth
1. Vaginal bleeding or increased amount of vaginal discharge
2. Inguinal or abdominal pain
3. Significant back pain
4. Pain that resembles menstrual cramps and persists day after day
5. Sensation of stretching in the uterus
6. More than 5-6 contractions in one hour
7. Sudden discharge of large amounts of fluid from the vagina
Signs of preterm labor at 26 weeks
A normal pregnancy is considered to be 40 weeks. However, birth can take place between 38-42 weeks. The birth of the baby between 24- 37 weeks is called premature birth, that is, premature. It is important for the baby to stay in the womb for its development, but birth can be seen at 26 weeks of pregnancy. At 26 weeks of pregnancy, the baby's lung and spinal cord system has developed, but the process is not fully completed. Therefore, babies born at 26 weeks gestation need medical help to survive.
26-week preterm labor symptoms can be listed as follows in general;
- Regular and frequent contractions and pain can be a sign of preterm labor. However, expectant mothers may experience such contractions and pains especially towards the end of pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions, i.e. false contractions, can be confused with labor pains. While real contractions occur at regular intervals, false contractions are irregular.
- Feeling of pressure in the pelvic area in the groin
- Diarrhea and nausea
- Bloody mucous discharge from the vagina
- Severe pain in the lower abdomen, similar to menstrual cramps, can be a sign of preterm labor.
How is the threat of preterm labor diagnosed?
It is diagnosed by looking at changes in the cervix. If your cervix has softened, turned forward and started to shorten, you are experiencing a threat of preterm labor. Preterm labor is not diagnosed just by feeling contractions.
Fetal Fibronectin Test
Fetal fibronectin is a protein that can be detected in vaginal discharge between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation, indicating whether delivery will occur within a 2-week period if there is a threat of preterm labor. It is obtained by taking a vaginal swab near the cervix. If fetal fibronectin is detected, your doctor may prescribe bed rest and medication to prevent premature birth. Medication is also given to help the baby's lungs mature.
Treatment of threatened preterm labor
The main goal of treatment is to limit activity and increase fluid intake. In case of threatened preterm labor, you should be hospitalized and should not get out of bed unless necessary. First, an intravenous drip is given. If necessary, tocolytic drugs are added to the IV drip to relieve uterine contractions.
