If you have signs of preterm labor or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, call your healthcare provider, who will probably have you go to the hospital for further assessment. You'll be monitored for contractions as your baby's heart rate is monitored, and you'll be examined to see whether your membranes have ruptured. Your urine will be checked for signs of infection, and cervical and vaginal cultures may be taken as well.
You may also be given a fetal fibronectin test. If your water hasn't broken, your provider will do a vaginal exam to assess the state of your cervix. An abdominal ultrasound will often be done as well, to check the amount of amniotic fluid present and confirm the baby's growth, gestational age, and position.
Finally, some providers will do a vaginal ultrasound to double-check the length of your cervix and look for signs of effacement. If all the tests are negative, your membranes haven't ruptured, your cervix hasn't dilated after a few hours of monitoring, your contractions have subsided, and you and your baby appear healthy, you'll most likely be sent home.
For about 3 in 10 women, preterm labor stops on its own. Although each provider may manage the situation a little differently, there are some general guidelines for handling preterm labor. If you're less than 34 weeks but 24 weeks or more pregnant and found to be in preterm labor, your membranes are intact, your baby's heart rate is reassuring, and you have no signs of a uterine infection or other problems such as severe preeclampsia or signs of a placental abruption , your practitioner will probably attempt to delay your delivery.
One way she can do this is by giving you special drugs called tocolytics. Tocolytics can delay delivery for up to 48 hours though they don't always work and are not routinely used. During that time, if your doctor thinks you're at risk of delivering within 7 days, your baby can be given corticosteroids drugs that cross the placenta to help his lungs and other organs develop faster. This will boost his chance of survival and minimizes some of the risks associated with an early birth.
Corticosteroids are most likely to help your baby when given between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, but they're also given between 23 and 24 weeks. If you're less than 32 weeks pregnant and in preterm labor, and your provider thinks you're at risk of delivering in the next 24 hours, you may also be given magnesium sulfate to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy in your baby. Cerebral palsy, a nervous system disorder, is associated with early preterm birth.
This is done just in case a culture shows you're a carrier, as it takes 48 hours to get results. To take advantage of technological advances in preterm care, a preterm infant is best cared for at a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit NICU. If you're in a small community hospital where specialized neonatal care is not available for a preterm infant, you'll be transferred to a larger institution at this point, if possible.
Hospitals generally have limits for gestational how premature a baby they're able to care for. If you haven't reached 24 weeks, neither antibiotics for GBS prevention nor corticosteroids are recommended. Your medical team will counsel you about your baby's prognosis, and you can opt to wait or be induced.
If your water breaks before 34 weeks but you're not having contractions, your medical team may decide to induce labor or may opt to wait, hoping to buy the baby more time to mature. It depends on how far along you are and whether there's any sign of infection or other reason that your baby would be better off being delivered. In any case, unless you've had a recent negative GBS test, you'll be given antibiotics to protect against group B strep. If you're at 34 weeks or more, and your water had broken, you may be induced or delivered by cesarean section.
On the other hand, if you're less than 34 weeks pregnant, ACOG recommends waiting to deliver unless there's a clear reason to do otherwise. The purpose of waiting is to try to give your baby more time to mature. The downside is a higher risk of infection. But at early gestational ages, the benefits of waiting usually outweigh the risks of an immediate induction or c-section. While waiting, you'll receive antibiotics for seven days, to lower the risk of infections and help prolong your pregnancy.
You'll also receive a course of corticosteroids to help hasten your baby's lung development. You and your baby will be monitored carefully during this time. Of course, if you develop symptoms of an infection or there are other signs that your baby is not thriving, you'll be induced or delivered by c-section. Premature babies may need to stay in the NICU until their medical problems resolve, they can feed well without issues, and they've grown big enough.
See what happens in the neonatal intensive care unit and how the littlest babies are treated. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Reaffirmed Antenatal corticosteroid therapy for fetal maturation. Committee opinion number The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Maternal calcium intake is very important during pregnancy. A developing baby draws calcium from the mother to make and harden bone. Because your growing baby's calcium demands are high, be sure you're getting enough of this mineral to prevent a loss of calcium from your own bones.
In some cases, babies may need additional calories to help them grow. Some babies may also lack the ability to coordinate the suck and swallow reflexes required for feeding. If your babe is having issues, ask for support from your hospital or community lactation consultant or public health nurse. Questions that you may want to ask include: -What do I do if my baby is jaundiced? While things may continue to feel overwhelming for the first little while after you bring baby home, Fraser stresses that giving it time is the key.
Trust yourself, trust your judgment, and know when and where to reach out for help. Baby health What to expect if you have a late preterm baby If your baby is born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation, he or she is considered "late preterm. Photo: iStockphoto. If you and your partner have been struggling to get pregnant, it may be time to consider speaking with your doctor about fertility treatments.
During pregnancy, your top priority is to keep your child safe and healthy. But is the vaccine safe for you and your developing child?
Kirtly Jones s COVID cases and hospitalizations are once again rising across the country. As doctors, scientists, and medical professionals urge broad COVID vaccination, skepticism and misinformation are spreading on social media Call or Request an Appointment Refer a Patient.
Health Outcomes For Preemies. Can I Prevent Preterm Labor? Can Progesterone Prevent Preterm Birth? By Name By Location. Update Search. Hear From Our Specialists Oct 14,
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