A Normal or a Term Pregnancy Last 37 to 42 Weeks.
Preterm Labour is Labour That Begins Before 37 Weeks of Pregnancy.
Preterm labour can happen to anyone but some may be more at risk. Some risk factors include:
● A history of a previous preterm delivery
● Being extremely underweight
● A multiple pregnancy such as twins
● An incompetent cervix
● Smoking
● Untreated infections such as a urinary tract infection
● Chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure
● Physical and emotional abuse
● Abdominal surgery during pregnancy
It is not always easy to know if you are in preterm labour. Many of the signs of preterm labour can feel the same as some of the normal things that happen in pregnancy. The important signs to watch for, especially if they are new or different from before are:
● Cramps similar to menstrual cramps or stomach pains that don’t go away
● Bleeding or a trickle or gush of fluid from your vagina (water breaking)
● Lower back pain/pressure, or a change in lower backache
● A feeling that the baby is pushing down in your vagina or rectum
● Some people just feel that “something isn’t right”
Preterm labour contractions feel different from the normal tightenings. (Braxton Hicks) that many
experience in the second half of pregnancy:
● They may feel more regular, coming in a wave like pattern
● They do not go away or subside if you move around or lie down
● Other signs, such as fluid/blood loss or vaginal/pelvic/rectal pressure are also present
● They are more painful
Preterm Labour is Labour That Begins Before 37 Weeks of Pregnancy.
Preterm labour can happen to anyone but some may be more at risk. Some risk factors include:
● A history of a previous preterm delivery
● Being extremely underweight
● A multiple pregnancy such as twins
● An incompetent cervix
● Smoking
● Untreated infections such as a urinary tract infection
● Chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure
● Physical and emotional abuse
● Abdominal surgery during pregnancy
It is not always easy to know if you are in preterm labour. Many of the signs of preterm labour can feel the same as some of the normal things that happen in pregnancy. The important signs to watch for, especially if they are new or different from before are:
● Cramps similar to menstrual cramps or stomach pains that don’t go away
● Bleeding or a trickle or gush of fluid from your vagina (water breaking)
● Lower back pain/pressure, or a change in lower backache
● A feeling that the baby is pushing down in your vagina or rectum
● Some people just feel that “something isn’t right”
Preterm labour contractions feel different from the normal tightenings. (Braxton Hicks) that many
experience in the second half of pregnancy:
● They may feel more regular, coming in a wave like pattern
● They do not go away or subside if you move around or lie down
● Other signs, such as fluid/blood loss or vaginal/pelvic/rectal pressure are also present
● They are more painful
If You Think You are in Preterm Labour
PAGE YOUR MIDWIFE IMMEDIATELY
http://www.pregnancy.sogc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PDF_pretermlabour_ENG.pdf
PAGE YOUR MIDWIFE IMMEDIATELY
http://www.pregnancy.sogc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PDF_pretermlabour_ENG.pdf
