Preterm labor and the things pregnant mothers need to note

Today, preterm labor is an uncommon problem during pregnancy, with serious consequences for the fetus.

Updating knowledge of preterm birth is something that every pregnant mother needs to pay great attention to. What is preterm birth and how do I recognize the symptoms of preterm labor? Pregnant mother, please find out through the following article!

What are preterm labor and labor?

If you begin to have regular contractions that open your cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy, this is a sign of preterm labor. If you give birth before 37 weeks, this is called preterm and your baby is considered preterm.

Preterm labor does not mean you have a preterm baby. About half of all women who go into labor give birth prematurely but still deliver at 37 weeks or later. About a quarter of premature babies are planned to be born early. If you or your baby has problems and is not suitable to continue the pregnancy, your doctor will decide to induce labor early or perform a cesarean section before 37 weeks. This can happen if you have a serious health problem like severe pre-eclampsia going badly or your baby stops growing in the uterus.

The remaining cases are called spontaneous preterm labor. You may experience spontaneous preterm labor if you have premature labor, premature rupture of membranes before 37 weeks or your cervix spontaneously opens spontaneously without contractions.

What are the symptoms of preterm birth?

Call your doctor at once if any of the following symptoms occur before week 37:

Vaginal discharge is more than usual. This means that your vaginal discharge will become more loose, slimy or bloody;

Occurrence of vaginal bleeding. You may experience cramping, cramping similar to menstrual cramps or pain with contractions more than four times in an hour;

Increased pressure in the pelvic area. You will experience low back pain, especially cyclical pain, or no back pain before.

These symptoms are easy to confuse with some other common symptoms common in pregnancy such as Braxton Hicks mound. To spot potential problems early, it's a good idea to learn the symptoms that you cannot ignore during pregnancy.

Safety for mother and fetus is always first, so call your doctor or healthcare professional immediately if you experience anything unusual at any point during your pregnancy!