Preterm Labor

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Preterm Labor

Preterm Labor

OB-GYN care for preterm labor is all about monitoring the health of both mom and baby, trying to delay labor if possible, and preparing for the best outcome in case an early delivery happens. Here’s a simple breakdown of what that care may look like:

  1. Monitoring the Baby and Mom
  • Checking Contractions: The doctor or nurse will monitor the frequency and strength of contractions. They may use a machine called a tocodynamometer to measure this, or simply monitor for signs the baby might be coming too soon.
  • Fetal Heart Rate: The doctor will also listen to the baby’s heartbeat to make sure the baby is doing well and not in distress.
  1. Stopping Preterm Labor
  • Medications: If preterm labor is happening, doctors might give medications to stop the contractions, like tocolytics. These help relax the uterus and delay labor.
  • Steroid Shots: If there is a risk the baby will be born early, the mom may receive steroid injections. These help speed up the baby’s lung development to improve their chances of doing well if born early.

 

  1. Bed Rest or Limited Activity
  • The patient might be advised to rest more than usual or even stay in the hospital to make sure labor doesn’t progress. This is especially true if the contractions are causing the cervix (the opening of the uterus) to soften or dilate.
  1. Monitoring for Complications
  • Infection Prevention: Preterm labor can sometimes be caused by an infection, so doctors may give antibiotics if needed.
  • Check for Cervical Changes: Doctors will monitor how the cervix is changing. If it’s opening too early, more specific treatments may be needed.
  1. Plan for Delivery
  • If preterm labor can’t be stopped and the baby is coming early, the team will prepare for a preterm delivery. This may involve specialized care right after birth, especially if the baby is very premature (before 32 weeks), as they might need help with breathing or other health concerns.
  1. Emotional Support
  • Preterm labor can be scary for the mom, so doctors, nurses, and support staff provide reassurance, answer questions, and help the patient cope emotionally with the situation.

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