Causes of premature labor and how it can be avoided

Who is the most at risk of having premature labor?

The full term of pregnancy is 40 weeks. Having labor before this time having labor contractions may lead to the birth of a baby prematurely.

Those at greater risk of going into premature labor are first time others and young women. Underweight mothers, unsupported mothers, smoking others, unsupported and single mothers are most likely to have premature labor.

The causes of premature labor are not well known for over 40 percent of experienced cases.

What are some of the common causes of premature labor?

In around 40 per cent of cases, the cause of premature labor is unknown. Other causes include:

• Pre-eclampsia

• Multiple pregnancies

• Antenatal hemorrhage

• Sickness of the mother, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure

• Cervical incompetence

• Fetal abnormalities or still baby

• Bladder and kidney infections

• Previous first and second trimester abortions

• Severe or sudden stress

• Previous cases of premature births

• Thrombophilia (clotting disorder)

• Drugs and substance abuse

• Uterus and cervical complications

Most Sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, group B streptococci and trichomonas are greatly linked to be possible causes of premature labor in most women.

The acidity of the vagina can be changed by an infection like the bacterial vaginosis. This makes thee body’s natural defense system to be altered giving way to various infections to affect the body.

Such infections can be prevented by going for a scan, so that any present cases can be tackled before the onset of premature labor.

How to diagnose any possible cases of a woman getting into premature labor

To reduce the risks which come with getting into premature labor, it is necessary if it can be detected in proper time. This should be done before the cervix dilates and the baby is forced out before time.

It is common for a woman to experience a series of irregular contractions all through the pregnancy, mostly due to tightening of uterus walls. These are referred to as Braxton Hicks. They are pretty normal and should just be reason for alarm if they become overly frequent and consistent.

'Practice' or Braxton Hicks are experienced by most women from the 24^th week of pregnancy. It is as a result of confusing uterus contractions and is common with about two thirds of the women diagnosed of having premature labor not able to give birth within duration of 48 hours. One woman out of every three is most likely to get through with the pregnancy to full term which is 40 weeks.

It mostly follows the rapture membranes which lead to the loss of amniotic fluid. At time urine may be confused for amniotic fluid. This may be an occurrence made even by the testing sticks.

There are also other chemicals which can be used to determine the onset of labor. These are such as fetal fibronectin which is found in the vaginal secretions. However, no test is accurate, most just give rough ideas on what to expect.

The treatments and management of premature labor cases

So far, there are no effective remedies for the reversal or stopping of premature labor. There are drugs which are administered to stop contractions. Antibiotics are also used to treat infection and several efforts to stop the dilation of the cervix are also made.

About a quarter of cases can be helped by drugs such as tocolytics in an effort to stop the onset of premature labor. It however does not always work beyond 48 hours. Such drugs may have serious side effects especially in the cases whereby the membranes have ruptured. The drugs are mainly used to delay labor until the mother can be able to reach a hospital with a special care unit that can offer the baby support.

Some treatments that are administered are those that get the baby ready for an unusually early arrival. These can be drugs that speed up the maturity of the lungs. They bring down risk chances like reducing the percentage for the development of respiratory distress syndrome.

Corticosteroid helps to speed up the maturity of both the brain and thee lungs.

Some oral drugs can be used to lower the rate of contractions and this may make the pregnant mother to feel a bit relieved.

Complications associated with a woman’s going into premature labor

If a woman gets into premature before 28 weeks of pregnancy, the implications it is most likely to have on the baby are major. This is because the baby’s vital body organs have not properly formed to maturity. The need to be at hospital is high so that the baby can be put into a neonatal intensive care unit.

Onset of premature labor after the 38^th week is however not associated with serious problems for the baby and in most cases labor is allowed to proceed. A baby’s organs are basically mature by this and risks are minimal.

The field of medicine has really improved its efficiency of saving the lives of prematurely born babies. This can be as early from week 22.  The health battles that such babies go through at the beginning of life are many and may be of serious implications all through their lives.

Babies born as a result of premature labor are most at risk of developing conditions such as:

• Susceptibility to infection

• Jaundice

• Reduced blood glucose

• Slow development

• Respiratory distress syndrome

• Learning problems

• Low blood glucose

• Hypothermia

• Necritising enterocolitis

• Digestive problems

• Retinopathy of prematurity

• Death

If a mother delivers at a hospital without neonatal care unit it is advisable for her to be transferred to one with this special care unit for premature babies. This would greatly help to support the survival of the baby.

Some of the warning signs of premature labor that a mother should know

If a mother knows the signs of premature labor, it is possible for her to look for help in good time.

- Having more than five contractions within an hour is cause to worry about.

- Watery discharge from the body may be a sign of broken water bag (amniotic fluid)

- On and off or constant stomach cramps in the lower abdomen like those of menstruation may also be reason for alarm.

- Change or increase in vaginal discharge.

- Constant or on and off mild backache on the waistline.

- Abdominal pains which may lead into diarrhea.

- Pressure on the pelvis which feels like the baby is pressing down.

Actions that a mother can take when she suspects premature labor

In the case where a mother suspects the onset of premature labor, the best thing is to call for a doctor and if possible go to hospital. This would have the cervix examined to see if it is dilating.

It would be important that the mother stays as calm as possible stress increases the progress of premature labor.

One should empty her bladder. Lying down with the back tilted to the left side may stop signs of premature labor or slow them down. It is unadvisable to lie flat on the back as it may just make contractions to increase.

Avoid dehydration as it increases contractions. It is therefore important to adequate amounts of water.

Taking note of the number of contractions one is having in an hours duration is necessary.