What are the Warning Signs of Premature Labor?

The Effects of Premature Labor

Going into premature labor can be a frightening experience, and not knowing the future of your baby’s health can make it that much scarier. With proper monitoring of your pregnancy, doctors can assess whether you are considered high risk, take the necessary precautions, and administer the appropriate treatments to reduce your chances of going into premature labor. Here are some of the warning signs your doctor should look for.

How Does Premature Labor Occur?

Premature labor may be underway if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms. While your doctor should be monitoring your pregnancy to ensure you don’t have any risk factors, call your doctor immediately if:

• You are having contractions less than 10 minutes apart.
• You feel pain in your lower back.
• You feel cramping in your abdomen or uterus.
• You feel nauseous, are vomiting, or have diarrhea.
• You have vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge.
• Your notice that your baby’s movement has decreased.

How to Prevent Premature Labor

While premature labor isn’t entirely preventable, there are things you can do to mitigate your risk, such as:

• Getting regular prenatal care.
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Exercising as recommended by your doctor.
• Avoiding smoking or taking illicit drugs.
• Managing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

If you go into premature labor, your doctor may use the following methods to prevent it:

• Hormone treatments – If you’ve had a history of preterm birth or a short cervix, progesterone supplements may help reduce the risk of premature birth.

• Cervical cerclage – If you have a short cervix, this surgical procedure is performed during pregnancy. The procedure involves stitching the cervix closed to provide extra support to the uterus to prevent early labor. The sutures are removed when your baby is ready to be delivered.

Did Your Baby Suffer a Birth Injury? We’re Here to Help.

If your baby was born prematurely and suffered a birth injury that could have been prevented, you may be feeling overwhelmed about his or her future care. If your doctor was negligent and failed to recognize the warning signs of premature labor, our Philadelphia birth injury attorneys at The Villari Firm, PLLC are here to help you seek justice. Our skilled attorneys work with leading experts, including doctors and other legal professionals, to investigate and prepare our clients’ cases. No expense is spared when it comes to being armed with everything needed to help our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Contact The Villari Firm, PLLC at 215-372-8889 to schedule a free consultation today.