mom sectionmom sectionWhen a pregnant woman has an incompetent cervix, she runs the risk of the cervix opening, resulting in premature labor or a miscarriage. A cervix may become weakened and incompetent due to pregnancy terminations, cone biopsies, LEEP procedures and previous miscarriages that occur in the second trimester, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The traditional treatment for an incompetent cervix is a surgical cervical cerclage, where the physician places a surgical stitch in the cervix under anesthesia to hold it closed. There are several options available as alternatives to a cerclage, including cervical monitoring and bed rest.
Premature labor occurs when a woman goes into labor before the 37th week of her pregnancy. Signs of preterm labor include contractions less than ten minutes apart, pelvic pressure, lower abdominal pain or a change in vaginal discharge. Babies born before the 37th week are premature babies, and have a higher risk of health issues such as breathing problems due to underdeveloped lungs, disabilities such as blindness and special learning needs. The earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of health problems. In order to help the baby fully develop in the uterus, it is imperative to try…
Premature labor is defined as any labor that starts before week 37 of pregnancy. With any preterm birth, the baby has a much higher risk of complications, including death. Most babies who are born prematurely spend at least some amount of time in a hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Treating premature delivery can help give your baby a good start in life.
Premature labor is a condition that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy. Normal preganancies reach term at 36 to 37 weeks, though women who give birth to babies anywhere from the 28th to the 36th week are considered premature. Causes for premature labor are unknown but may be related to a variety of factors such as physical health, activity levels, stress and medical conditions. Learning how to identify risks for premature labor may help pregnant women carry their babies to as close to term as possible to give infants the best chances of fully developed lungs and cardiac systems,…
When labor begins before the 37th week of pregnancy, it is called premature labor. Preterm labor and childbirth can pose serious health issues for an unborn child, so identifying its symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention is imperative. With knowledge of the signs and symptoms of premature labor at hand, you'll know exactly when to call the doctor if labor begins too early.
