4 Tips For Dealing With Preterm Labor


If you are pregnant you're most likely excitedly anticipating the birth of your baby. Most mothers cannot wait until their little one is born. But that doesn't mean that you want your baby to come too early. Premature labor happens in about 12% of all pregnancies and can be dangerous to the mother and the baby. This is why it is important that you recognize the signs of premature labor and what to do for it. Here are 4 things you should do if you are experiencing premature labor. Talk to your doctor, such as Mark E Richey M.D., P.C., for more information.

1. Hydrate Yourself

One of the biggest reasons that women have contractions early is that they are not hydrated properly. If the body is not getting enough water, it might cause the uterus to contract. Even though the baby is not ready to be born, the contractions could continue until the cervix is ripened enough to deliver the baby. For this reason, you should drink lots of water.

If you start feeling contractions earlier than 37 weeks, which is considered preterm labor, make sure you hydrate yourself. Drink a lot of water and see if the contractions start to slow down.

2. Rest

Another major reason that women go into preterm labor is that they have overexerted themselves. If you are exercising a lot, or even cleaning the house, stop what you are doing and lay down. Don't lay down flat, this could make the problem worse, instead lay on your side, or just sit down. Take deep breaths and try to calm your heart rate.

Some women will also take a warm bath. This helps to calm labor. You can try taking a bath or shower and see if the labor stops.

3. Empty Your Bladder

Although it may seem strange, having a full bladder can cause the uterus to contract. This is because the uterus and bladder are right next to each other. For this reason, you should make sure that you using the bathroom every time you feel the urge, even if that means multiple times an hour. This will help to prevent the bladder from irritating the uterus.

4. Go To The Hospital

If after trying all these things labor continues, you need to get medical treatment right away. There are medications they can put you on to help stop the labor. If they are unable to successfully halt labor, you will need medical attention and so will your baby. If the baby is born premature, they will need the constant care of a medical team until they are stable.