Preterm Labor Signs
What is Preterm Labor?
Preterm labor is any labor that begins between 20.0 weeks and 36.0 weeks gestation. Which may or may not lead to preterm birth.
What are the Risks of Preterm Birth?
Low birth weight
Diminished lung function
Undeveloped organs
Poor vision
Neonatal death
Who is More at Risk of Preterm Birth?
Pregnant people who have a history of preterm labor or birth are at a 30% increased risk of recurrence.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of preterm labor. Supplementation of Vitamin D in early pregnancy or before conception has the most benefit.
PTSD, especially the stress that comes from being a person of color in America.
Persons of African American ethnicity.
Persons with a deficiency of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are found in fish oil supplements or fatty fish. Taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy can lower the risk of having a baby less than 37 weeks by 11%, and the risk of having a baby less than 34 weeks by 42%.
Pregnant people with a history of smoking tobacco or who are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Pre-existing conditions before pregnancy (i.e. diabetes).
Pregnancy complications (i.e. pre-eclampsia).
Potential Prevention Preterm Birth
Vitamin-D supplements
Fish Oil supplements
Collaboration with providers to use Progesterone Therapy
Reducing Stress
Cultural Matched Care
Individualized Care
Continuity of Care throughout the pregnancy
medication to slow or prevent preterm labor called tocolytics
Many providers will also review cervix length on second-trimester ultrasounds
Avoiding traveling or going on planes in the third trimester
What are the Signs of Preterm Labor?
The signs of preterm labor are that of term labor only before 36 weeks. If any of the following is occurring, immediately call your midwife.
Consistent low cramping or backache that is forming a pattern or increasing in intensity
Bag of water breaking
Vaginal Spotting/bleeding
References
Gavin, A., Grote, N., Conner, K., & Fentress, T. (2018). Racial discrimination and preterm birth among African American women: The important role of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 11(4), 6. Retrieved from https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1796&context=jhdrp
Cochrane. (2018, Nov 15). New research finds omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of premature birth. Retrieved from https://www.cochrane.org/news/new-research-finds-omega-3-fatty-acids-reduce-risk-premature-birth
Requejo, J., Merialdi, M., Althabe, F., Keller, M., Katz, J., & Menon, R. (2013). Born too soon: Care during pregnancy and childbirth to reduce preterm deliveries and improve health outcomes of the preterm baby. Reproductive Health, 10(1), S4. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3842748/
Phillips, C., Velji, Z., Hanly, C., & Metcalfe, A. (2017). Risk of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 7(6), e015402. Retrieved from https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/6/e015402
JJ Way. (n.d.). Research studies and reports. Retrieved from: https://jenniejoseph.com/research-studies-and-reports/
Woo, J., Giurgescu, C., & Wagner, C. L. (2019). Evidence of an association between vitamin D deficiency and preterm birth and preeclampsia: A critical review. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 64(5), 613-629. /courses/3200/files/465580/download
