Preterm labour is labour that starts too
early (before 37 weeks). Pregnancy normally last between 37 and 42 weeks. It
can cause baby to be born too soon than expected. Babies who are born too soon
may have health problems. They may need special care in the hospital.
What are the signs of Preterm Labour?
- Bleeding from your vagina
- Sudden increase in the amount of discharge from your vagina
- Sudden change in the type of discharge (mucousy, watery, bloody)
- Water leaking from your vagina
- Low dull backache below the waist that feels different than usual
- An urgent need to pass urine or the need to pee often
- Feeling that something is not right
- Cramps like when you have your period
- Pressure that feels like the baby is pushing down
- Contractions (tightening of the uterus) that come often and do not go away
- Contractions that gets stronger and closer together
- Stomach pains that do not go away (with or without diarrhea)
What to do if you have any of these signs?
Go to the hospital
right away because their are things your health care
provider can do to help. It is not possible to prevent all preterm
births, but there are things you can do to reduce the chances of preterm
labour.
What you can do to help your baby born at the
right time?
- Start seeing your health care provider as early as possible in your pregnancy
- Go to a group program for pregnant women early in your pregnancy
- Try to stop smoking or smoke less often
- Ask others not to smoke near you
- Take time to rest every day
- See your health care provider if smelly fluid comes from your vagina and makes you itchy
- See your health care provider if it hurts when you pass urine
- Eat healthy foods
NOTE:
Learn the signs of preterm labour and what to
do if you have them. Also, be aware of how your body changes with pregnancy and find ways to manage stress in your life.
Talk with your health care provider, midwife
or a public health nurse, about any concerns you have. Tell them about anything
that does not feel right.
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