One out of Every Eight Babies Is Born Prematurely

Premature Labor

· One out of every eight babies is born prematurely

· Labor that happens prior to the 37th week of pregnancy is too early and places the baby at risk for long term health problems and even death.

· Premature labor can happen to any woman

· The cause of preterm labor is not always known

Signs of premature labor include:

· Contractions less than 10 minutes apart

· Blood or fluid leaking from the vagina

· Dull backache

· Pelvic pressure or feeling as if the baby is pressing down

· Pain that feels like menstrual cramps

· Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

Call your healthcare provider or go to the hospital right away if you have any of these signs and your due date is more than 3 weeks away.

Your healthcare provider may tell you:

· Come into the office or go to the hospital

· Rest for one hour on your left side

· Drink 2-3 glasses of water or juice (not coffee or soda)

At the hospital you may experience:

· Intravenous fluids through a small tube placed in a vein

· Ultrasound of your abdomen to check for problems

· Fetal monitor to determine baby’s response to labor

· Bedrest or restricted activities

· Medications to stop labor or treat infections

Learning the signs of premature labor can help you bring a healthy baby home!