What are the signs of preterm labor, or are they one in the same?
Preterm labor is labor that occurs before your 37th week of pregnancy. Labor is characterized by contractions that are consistent and predictable and cause changes in the cervix. They gradually become more intense and over time occur closer together. From a medical standpoint, what we’re looking for is the shortening of the cervix, which may be preceded by bloody show or a slow leak or rupture of the membranes. What’s the biggest mistake doctors make in trying to tell the difference? The physician doesn’t make a mistake as much as she might be too quick to treat the patient based on a lack of clear assessment guidelines. This program will help all hospital staff to triage patients more effectively to determine what’s going on. What can pregnant women do now to prevent unnecessary inductions, to try to tell the difference between false labor and preterm labor? 1. Understand what labor feels like — it should feel like a belt is wrapped around the midsection of your stomach, and the belt
