Signs & Symptoms of Pre-term Labour
Pre-term labour cannot be totally prevented – but you can do the next best thing. Identifying the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy and manage it better. As you are the only person who can be aware of your body’s normal activity, you are the right one to identify the earliest signs of pregnancy
Remember, it is important to know what is normal for you – as only then will you know how to identify what is not normal.
| What is Normal? | What is NOT Normal? |
|---|---|
| Occasional Uterine Contractions | Regular Uterine Contractions |
| Backache – as baby grows and causes your posture to change | Rhythmic, Lower Abdominal Cramps |
| Pressure – as your growing baby presses on your pubic bone and your legs | Persistent, low, dull backache that feels different from what you normally experience |
| Pulling and Stretching of Muscles – as the uterus grows, it may cause pain | Persistent diarrhea or intestinal cramps |
| Unusual rhythmic or persistent pelvic pressure | |
| A large amount of mucus or water leaking from the vagina | |
| A change in colour of vaginal discharge to pink or brown |
Signs And Symptoms To Watch-Out For
Here are a few common signs and symptoms associated with early pregnancy. Just keep in mind that any change from your normal patterns and experience could be a sign of alarm.
Uterine Contractions
The uterus (womb) is made up of muscle fibers, and uterine contractions are the tightening of these muscles within the uterus. It is quite normal for contractions to occur throughout pregnancy – these are usually painless and can occur at any time. Certain activities such as changing your position or having a full bladder may also cause you to have a contraction.
Learn how to find out if your contractions are normal – as it would help you differentiate between the potentially dangerous and ‘harmless’ ones.
Cramps
These could mimic menstrual cramps, and will be felt low in the abdomen, just above the pubic bone. The cramping could be constant or rhythmic, with a wave-like or ‘fluttering’ pattern.
Backache
A low, dull backache that originates in the lower back and radiates to the sides or front. It may be rhythmic or constant and is not relieved by changing position.
Pelvic Pressure
A feeling of pressure or fullness in the pelvic area along the back and thighs, feeling as though baby is going to “fall out”.
Intestinal Cramps
May or may not be accompanied by diarrhea, often mistaken as “gas pains”.
Vaginal Discharge
Watch out for a sudden increase or change in the amount or consistency. The consistency may change to mucus or watery. The color may become pink or brown-tinged.
A general feeling that something is not right: even without a specific cause. If you experience any of the above, or if you feel something is different, contact your Doctor immediately.
Tips & Tricks
Prunes and dates are known to strengthen the uterus muscles and ease child delivery. They also reduce chances of bleeding that might occur after delivery.
Methi (Fenugreek) induces and eases the child birth during labor by stimulating uterine contractions and reducing the labor pain. However, excess intake during pregnancy could be counter active as it increases the risk of miscarriage as well as premature childbirth.
One of the ways to tell a false labour from a true one is to time the contractions. False labour contractions are irregular and die down with time, while true labour contractions come at regular intervals and are persistent.
Make a checklist of all things you need to take to the hospital and pack them in your bag so that it’s all ready when you need it. Remember to pack the baby’s stuff too like clothes, nappies, blankets, booties and mittens.
To soothe labour pain, place a hot water compress bag (take care not to fill it with boiling water) on the aching areas and massage your back gently.
To make the task of picking a baby name easier, make a list of your favourite ones and keep adding them to the list. While short-listing, read each name aloud to see how it sounds with the surname.
