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David & Jane
Our Adoption Match Was Made In Heaven. That is exactly what it was for us when our birthmother found us on the ParentProfiles.com website. We had tried the usual newspaper ads and contacts through our attorney to find a birthmother, but they were all in vain. We found out about ParentProfiles.com in the fall and immediately joined the Adoptive Parent Registry. Although we had other birthmother inquiries along the way, it was not more ...
Preterm Labor
Preterm labor occurs any time a woman goes into labor that causes cervical dilation before the thirty-seventh week of gestation. About 12% of all childbirths in the US are preterm. Exceptionally early preterm labor -- before thirty-four weeks -- is not a good sign. Signs of preterm labor include:
Increased vaginal discharge, particularly with water, mucus, or bloodVaginal bleeding or spotting of any kind
Pain similar to menstrual cramps, or more than four contractions in an hour (Braxton-Hicks contractions will be rarer and fairly light)
Increased pelvic pressure
Lower back pain when you didn't have back pain
With any of these symptoms, you should call your doctor or midwife immediately. And don't panic; these signs are usually normal.
Stopping Preterm Labor
In most cases the cause of preterm labor is unknown. Some vaginal infections may cause the amniotic sac to weaken and burst too early; or the bacteria may invade the liquid in the sac. In other cases, structural abnormalities of your uterus and cervix may cause preterm labor, or a problem with placental placement or premature separation from your uterine wall. Women with multiple babies or too much amniotic fluid have uteruses that are too large and may go into preterm labor. Several other conditions from periodontitis to asthma, irritable bowel disease, and diabetes can also cause preterm labor.
You're at increased risk of preterm labor if you:
1. already had at least one preterm delivery2. are having twins or multiple births
3. are younger than 17 or older than 35
4. are African American
5. didn't gain enough weight while pregnant or were very light before pregnancy
6. are short
7. have had vaginal bleeding in two or three trimesters
8. smoke, drink, or use drugs (particularly cocaine) while pregnant
9. had another baby no more than 18 months before this one
You can reduce your chances of experiencing preterm labor by quitting smoking, drinking, and using illegal drugs; eliminating stress to the point that you can; and taking care of your nutritional needs. Women with physically demanding jobs that involve lots of standing or long working hours appear to be at higher risk; if you fall into the above risk categories, an early maternity leave might be a good choice.
If you think you might be at risk of preterm labor, have your gynecologist or other medical professional check your cervix. If it's getting shorter early, he or she will probably advise you to cut back on work and physical activity (including sex). You'll also be put into the high-risk category and probably return for weekly checkups.
If it looks like you may be going into preterm labor (i.e., your cervix is thinning), your doctor may stitch your cervix shut. Women who have lost three or more babies for no apparent reason in the second trimester should consider this procedure at the beginning of the second trimester. This sounds very uncomfortable, but it's really a pretty routine procedure. In later-term preterm labor, corticosteroids may be administered to your baby to help him mature faster and other drugs given to you to slow or stop labor for a little while. You will also be put on bed rest, possibly as an inpatient.
Take care of yourself, avoid stress, eat properly, rest well, and see your doctor frequently. If you pay attention to what your body is telling you, you may be able to catch and prevent preterm labor.
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