Every woman's pregnancy is different, including when delivery arrives. Based on several conditions, pregnant women can give birth prematurely or commonly called premature labor. Come on, recognize the signs of giving birth prematurely so you can anticipate it.
Normally, labor will occur when the pregnancy is 40 weeks. But in preterm labor, your body is already starting to prepare for delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Signs of Premature Childbirth that You Need to Recognize
In general, the signs of premature birth are not much different from the signs of giving birth in general. Here are some signs that your body is preparing to give birth prematurely:
1. Experiencing contractions many times
The occurrence of contractions many times when the gestational age is less than 37 weeks can be a sign that you will give birth prematurely. These contractions are in the form of a tugging feeling in the abdomen that is accompanied by pain, and the complaint does not go away even though you have changed positions. Within an hour, contractions can occur as much as 5 times or more.
2. Experiencing cramps like during menstruation
The next thing that can be a sign of premature birth is experiencing lower abdominal cramps like during menstruation. Abdominal cramps that are felt may come and go or occur constantly.
3. Vaginal fluid production increases
The next sign is increased vaginal fluid production. Some pregnant women even find blood coming out of the vagina when experiencing signs of premature birth.
4. Discharge from the vagina
In addition to increased vaginal fluid production, vaginal discharge can also be a sign of premature labor. This condition can indicate that your water has broken.
5. Pain in the lower back
Another sign of premature birth is pain in the back that has never been felt before. The pain may come and go or persist and be accompanied by pressure in the pelvis. This pressure feels like a baby pushing out.
If you experience some of the signs described above, immediately check your pregnancy with the nearest doctor or midwife. The goal is that you get the right treatment immediately.
Risk Factors for Premature Childbirth
The cause of premature birth is not known with certainty. Preterm labor can occur in any pregnant woman, but the risk is higher in the following circumstances:
- Was too thin or too fat before getting pregnant.
- Leading an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs.
- Having a pregnancy that is too close.
- Have certain diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and blood clotting disorders.
- Pregnant with twins.
- Have a history of preterm delivery or a family history of it.
- Lack of attention to pregnancy, such as not regularly checking with the doctor or not taking vitamins recommended by
How to Prevent Premature Labor
To prevent the continuation of the signs of preterm labor that you are experiencing, there are several things you can do, namely:
- When complaints or signs of preterm labor appear, empty your bladder and don't hold back the urge to urinate. However, make sure to keep drinking a few glasses of water to prevent dehydration.
- As much as possible avoid sleeping on your back, because this can trigger contractions. Instead, lie down on your side to your left side. This position can relieve or stop the signs of preterm labor.
If the signs of premature birth do not go away or get worse, see a doctor immediately. The doctor will conduct an examination to determine the action to be taken.
Some of the examinations that will be carried out include checking the fetal heart rate, contractions that occur, amniotic fluid, uterine opening, and ultrasound to ensure the health condition of you and your fetus.
From the results of the examination, the doctor may give you some medicines to stop the complaints you are feeling. This will be adjusted to your condition.
If signs of premature delivery persist and the fetus becomes unstable, the doctor will usually start the labor process to deliver the baby, either by vaginal delivery or by cesarean section.
