Preterm Labor Symptoms, Know the Signs of Premature Labor
If you experience any of these signs and symptoms of premature labor or other unusual changes, call your doctor right away:
- Contractions every 12 minutes or more often
- Change in vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pressure
- Backache
- Cramps
Steps to Take When You Know Your Risk for Preterm Labor and Delivery
The PreTRM Test provides key information about your pregnancy’s risk of preterm delivery. After you receive the results of your test, there are several key steps you can take if you are at high risk:
- Speak with your doctor to personalize your pregnancy care in an effort to mitigate your risk
- Plan for a possible premature delivery
- Know the signs and symptoms of premature labor
Speak With Your Doctor for Information about your pregnancy health
Your physician can use the results of your PreTRM Test, along with other information from your prenatal visits and your medical history, to create a personalized plan for your medical care.
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Haven’t had the PreTRM test yet? Talk to your doctor to see if it may be right for you
Plan for Possible Preterm Labor and Delivery
If you learn that your pregnancy is at higher risk of preterm birth, there are steps that you can take to plan for this possibility:
- Pay attention to unusual changes in your body so you can alert your doctor of any signs of premature labor
- Research and select a hospital with a reputable neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Work with your employer to plan for a possible early maternity leave due to premature birth
- Arrange for the care of your other children if needed
- Change travel plans for the weeks before your due date as needed
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Haven’t had the PreTRM test yet? Talk to your doctor to see if it may be right for you
Know the Signs and Symptoms of Premature Labor
Prompt access to medical care is very important in the case of premature labor. You should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of premature labor, or if you experience any unusual changes to your body, call your doctor immediately if you experience any of them:
- Contractions every 12 minutes or more often. These feel like your abdomen is tightening or bunching up like a fist. While it is normal to experience some occasional contractions, you need to see your doctor if you have more than five in an hour.
- Change in vaginal discharge. Your vagina leaks blood, watery mucus, or other fluid.
- Pelvic pressure. This is a feeling that your baby is pushing down on your lower belly or hips.
- Backache. The pain may be constant and dull in your low back, or it may come and go in waves and move toward the front of your abdomen. It may feel different from other back pain you may have experienced during pregnancy.
- Cramps. They may feel like menstrual cramps, and they may occur with or without diarrhea.
While some of these symptoms may come with false labor, it is always best to be evaluated by your physician. When in doubt, call your doctor.
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Haven’t had the PreTRM test yet? Talk to your doctor to see if it may be right for you
Additional FAQs about Premature Labor
Braxton Hicks contractions, often referred to as “practice contractions,” are sporadic, irregular contractions that may start as early as the second trimester. These contractions are a natural part of pregnancy and play a crucial role in toning the uterine muscles. Unlike preterm labor contractions, Braxton Hicks contractions do not indicate the onset of labor and usually subside with rest or a change in activity.
On the other hand, preterm labor contractions are more consistent and regular than Braxton Hicks. They occur before the 37-week mark of gestation, putting the pregnancy at risk of preterm birth. Preterm labor contractions may be accompanied by other warning signs, such as vaginal bleeding or changes in vaginal discharge.
It’s essential for expectant mothers to recognize the differences between these contractions and to seek medical attention if they suspect they are experiencing preterm labor. Medical professionals can assess the contractions’ frequency, intensity, and other symptoms to determine whether they pose a risk of preterm birth.
The anticipation of labor is an exciting and nerve-wracking time for expectant parents. Knowing when to head to the hospital can be a crucial decision, especially to prevent complications such as preterm labor and reduce the risk of preterm birth.
The timing for hospital admission during labor varies for each pregnancy, depending on multiple factors. Generally, healthcare providers recommend heading to the hospital when contractions become regular, stronger, and closer together, or if there is any suspicion of preterm labor.
Expectant mothers may be admitted to the hospital if they experience other signs of labor, such as the rupture of the amniotic sac (commonly known as water breaking) or the presence of bloody show (a small amount of blood-tinged mucus discharge).
For pregnancies at risk of preterm birth or with certain medical conditions, healthcare providers may recommend earlier hospital admission for close monitoring and necessary interventions.
Additionally, hospital admission criteria may also consider the gestational age of the baby. If a pregnancy is at or near full-term (around 37 weeks), the healthcare team may recommend heading to the hospital sooner.
A recent study, The AVERT PRETERM Trial, showed promising results in reducing the impacts of preterm births. Patients tested with the PreTRM Test and found to be at higher risk were given interventions and additional care. While the rate of preterm births was not significantly reduced, babies in the study stayed in the womb longer, were healthier, and spent less time in the hospital.1
The possibility of preterm labor can be a concerning aspect of pregnancy, leaving expectant parents wondering if there are ways to halt its progression and prevent preterm birth. While it may not always be possible to completely stop preterm labor, there are medical interventions and strategies that healthcare providers can employ to prolong the pregnancy and improve outcomes for both mother and baby.
Tocolytic medications are one such intervention commonly used to delay preterm labor. These medications work by relaxing the uterine muscles, reducing the frequency and intensity of contractions. By slowing down labor, tocolytics offer valuable time for other treatments, such as corticosteroids, to be administered. Corticosteroids can accelerate the development of the baby’s lungs, which is crucial for preterm infants’ respiratory health.
Bed rest and reducing physical activity may also be recommended to help ease preterm labor. Limiting activity can potentially reduce the strain on the uterus and provide an opportunity for the body to settle into a less labor-prone state.
Additionally, addressing any underlying medical conditions or infections that may be contributing to preterm labor is essential in managing the situation effectively.
However, it is crucial to note that not all cases of preterm labor can be stopped. The decision to intervene and the choice of treatment will depend on the individual circumstances and the baby’s gestational age.
References
- Matthew K. Hoffman, Carrie Kitto, Zugui Zhang, et al. Neonatal outcomes after proteomic biomarker-guided intervention: the AVERT PRETERM TRIAL. medRxiv 2023.09.13.23295503; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.09.13.23295503