OmmyCare

🩺 Preterm Labor

Disease Overview

Third Trimester

Preterm labor is defined as regular uterine contractions resulting in cervical changes (dilation or effacement) that occur before 37 completed weeks of gestation.

Causes

1 . Uterine overdistension (e.g., twins, polyhydramnios)
2 . Infections (e.g., urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis)
3 . Placental abruption
4 . Short cervix or cervical insufficiency
5 . Stress or trauma
6 . Previous preterm birth
7 . Smoking or drug use

Risk Factors

1 . Previous preterm birth
2 . Multiple gestation
3 . Uterine or cervical abnormalities
4 . Short interval between pregnancies
5 . Infections during pregnancy
6 . Underweight or poor nutrition
7 . Smoking or substance abuse

Prevention

1 . Prenatal care and regular checkups
2 . Treat and prevent infections early
3 . Cervical length monitoring in high-risk pregnancies
4 . Progesterone supplementation in indicated cases
5 . Avoid smoking, substance abuse, and high stress

Symptoms

1 . Regular painful contractions before 37 weeks
2 . Pelvic or lower abdominal pressure
3 . Lower back pain
4 . Vaginal spotting or bleeding
5 . Cramps similar to menstrual pain
6 . Watery discharge or premature rupture of membranes

Complications

Complications can arise during pregnancy and may affect both the mother and the baby.

Mother's Complications

Complications that may affect the mother during pregnancy.

1 . Increased risk of cesarean section
2 . Anxiety or postpartum depression
3 . Infection or hemorrhage

Baby's Complications

Complications that may affect the baby during pregnancy.

1 . Premature birth
2 . Low birth weight
3 . Respiratory distress syndrome
4 . Feeding difficulties
5 . Long-term neurodevelopmental problems
6 . NICU admission

Treatment Options

Evidence-based approaches for management

Treatment Options

1 . Bed rest (only in selected cases)
2 . Hydration and reducing physical activity

Medical Treatment

1 . Tocolytics to delay labor (e.g., nifedipine, indomethacin)
2 . Corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung maturity
3 . Magnesium sulfate for fetal neuroprotection
4 . Antibiotics if infection is present or suspected

OmmyCare

🩺 Preterm Labor

Disease Overview

Third Trimester

Causes

Risk Factors

Prevention

Symptoms

Complications

Mother's Complications

Baby's Complications

Treatment Options

Treatment Options

Medical Treatment

Nutritional Treatment

Videos

Preterm Birth

Preterm Labor