Preterm Labor and Premature Birth | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital

Preterm Labor and Premature Birth | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital

Preterm and premature mean the same thing — early. Preterm labor is labor that begins early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Labor is the process your body goes through to give birth to your baby.

Preterm labor can lead to premature birth. Premature birth is when your baby is born early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Your baby needs about 40 weeks in the womb to grow and develop before birth. 


What are the signs and symptoms of preterm labor? 
Signs of a condition are things someone else can see or know about you, like you have a rash or you’re coughing. Symptoms are things you feel yourself that others can’t see, like having a sore throat or feeling dizzy as explained by Dr Rama Sofat.

If you have even one of these signs and symptoms of preterm labor, call your provider right away:

• Change in your vaginal discharge (watery, mucus or bloody) or more vaginal discharge than usual
• Pressure in your pelvis or lower belly, like your baby is pushing down
• Constant low, dull backache
• Belly cramps with or without diarrhea

Prevention
You might not be able to prevent preterm labor — but there's much you can do to promote a healthy, full-term pregnancy. For example:

Seek regular prenatal care. Prenatal visits can help your health care provider monitor your health and your baby's health. Mention any signs or symptoms that concern you. If you have a history of preterm labor or develop signs or symptoms of preterm labor, you might need to see your health care provider more often during pregnancy.

Eat a healthy diet. Diet high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs)  lowers risk of premature birth.PUFAs are found in nuts, seeds, fish and seed oils.

Avoid risky substances. If you smoke then quit it as early as you can. An Illicit drugs are off-limits, too. It was described by Dr Rama Sofat.

Consider pregnancy spacing. Some research suggests a link between pregnancies spaced less than six months apart and an increased risk of premature birth. Consider talking to your health care provider about pregnancy spacing.

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