Premature Labor affects about 12% of babies in the U.S. and can happen as early by 28 weeks. Early detection is important.

by Patricia Hughes

Preterm or premature labor affects about 12 percent of babies born each year in the United States, according to statistics from the March of Dimes. Preterm labor is classified as labor that begins at or before the 36^th week of pregnancy. Most preterm births occur after 32 weeks, but 6% of all preterm births happen by the 28^th week of pregnancy. Early detection is crucial for doctors to stop the labor or provide other potentially life saving treatments for the baby and mother.

There are some warning signs of preterm labor. Some things to watch for include:

Contractions that occur at least ten minutes apart can be a sign of early labor and can be mild enough in the beginning to be confused with Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labor. These contractions may or may not have regular intervals, but if you have having at least four or five an hour, call your doctor or midwife.

Cramping: The severity of cramping or pain in the abdomen can vary, depending on the individual. In many cases, this has been described as similar to the cramping experienced during a typical period.

Discharge: Most pregnant women experience some degree of discharge during their pregnancies. Any changes in vaginal discharge, particularly clear fluid, spotting or bleeding should be reported to your doctor or midwife immediately. Any fluid loss should be reported to your health care provider. Some women mistakenly think they will feel a gush of fluid if the membranes rupture, but it can be a slow trickle, if blocked by the baby's head.

Infection: Certain infections, particularly Beta strep, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases can play a role in preterm birth. The best way to reduce this risk is to treat any infections, report symptoms to the doctor and for your health care provider to carefully monitor you for signs of preterm labor.

Low Back Pain: Lower back pain can be an early warning sign of preterm labor, as well as a discomfort of pregnancy. Sudden lower back pain should be reported to your doctor, since it can be a sign of early labor. What is sometimes mistaken for normal discomfort can actually be back labor.

Pressure: feeling pressure in the pelvis or the vagina can be a signal of early labor. Feeling the baby pressing down or feeling the baby dropping into the pelvis before the 36^th week of pregnancy can be a sign things are happening too soon. Report these symptoms to your doctor or midwife.

If the baby's movement changes pattern, particularly a noticeable reduction in movements, notify your doctor as well. Report any of these symptoms to your health care provider immediately. Don't worry that you are overreacting. It's better to overreact than to actually be in preterm labor and allow it to continue untreated.

Premature Labor Risk Factors

Although about 40 percent of preterm births have no explanation, there are some risk factors that make preterm labor more likely. Some of these factors involve the baby and others are maternal risk factors. Fetal conditions that increase the risk of a preterm labor, include having a multiple pregnancy, congenital abnormalities in the baby and fetal death often result in preterm labor. Women with multiple pregnancies, carrying babies with congenital abnormalities, those who have a history of preterm labor or other risk factors will have more monitoring of the fetus during the pregnancy.

There are certain factors that put a mother at increased risk of going into early labor. Some conditions that can increase the risk of preterm labor include abnormalities of the cervix or uterus, ruptured membranes, infections, abnormalities of the placenta, such as placental abruption or placenta previa. Certain lifestyle factors, such as drug abuse and maternal smoking also create a greater risk of early labor. Openly discuss any issues with your health care provider, so you can be more closely monitored and problems found earlier.

What to Do:

If you have symptoms of preterm labor, call your doctor or midwife immediately. You will most likely be sent to the labor and delivery unit of your hospital for a complete evaluation. The exact steps taken may vary, according to the circumstances, but some common evaluation tools include electronic fetal monitoring, examination of the cervix, testing discharge for the presence of amniotic fluid and ultrasound.

The March of Dimes offers this handy guide to the symptoms of preterm labor, treatments and what to do if you suspect you are experiencing preterm labor.

Biography
Patricia Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four. Patricia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University. She has written extensively on pregnancy, childbirth, parenting and breastfeeding. In addition, she has written about home décor and travel.

by Patricia Hughes

Aromatherapy offers numerous benefits both during pregnancy and during labor. In pregnancy, aromatherapy is effective for reducing some of the common discomforts of pregnancy. When you are in labor, using essential oils can be helpful for relaxation and pain relief. Aromatherapy helps create a comfortable environment for labor.

Essential oils that are beneficial during pregnancy include lavender, chamomile, rose, ylang ylang and jasmine. Some essential oils are beneficial for morning sickness. Our sense of smell will be more acute during pregnancy. Sometimes cooking odors or other household odors can trigger nausea. Aromatherapy can help reverse this effect. Citrus oils such as orange, lemon and grapefruit are safe and effective for nausea.

There are some essential oils that should be avoided during pregnancy. Here are some that are known to stimulate uterine contractions, peppermint, juniper, rosemary, oregano, pennyroyal and thyme. These oils should be avoided throughout pregnancy, but particularly in the first trimester when the risk of miscarriage is the highest. To be certain the oils you are thinking of using are safe for the baby, consult with your health care provider before using the oil.

You can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy in a few different ways. Use essential oils in an aromatherapy diffuser to release the fragrance throughout the room. If you don’t have a diffuser, a ceramic bowl with water can be used. Just put a few drops of essential oil into the water. As the water evaporates, the room will be filled with the scent.

Antiseptic essential oils help keep the air in your home clean. These oils help remove bacteria from the air. You can enjoy these benefits with bowls of water throughout the house. If you make your own natural cleaning products, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture.

Essential oils can be applied to the skin, but you need to use carrier oil. The oils are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin with direct contact. The rule of thumb for pregnancy is five drops of essential oil in one ounce of carrier oil. This can then be applied directly to the skin. Good carrier oils to use include coconut, jojoba or almond oil.

Aromatherapy can be beneficial in labor as well. Midwives often recommend the use of certain oils during labor. You can use essential oils in several ways during labor. If you are in the tub, a few drops of lavender oil can be added to the water. This oil has soothing properties and is often used for relaxation. You can use a diffuser in the room or put a few drops on the pillow or in a ceramic dish of water next to the bed. Use whatever method feels best for you. Try a few during pregnancy to get a feel for what you like best.

Massage with essential oils, such as lavender, are a helpful tool for natural pain relief. If you plan to use this during labor, prepare the oils in advance. Mix five drops of lavender essential oil in one ounce of carrier oil and store in a dark glass container. Pack it in your bag so you will be ready for labor.

Biography
Patricia Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four. Patricia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University. She has written extensively on pregnancy, childbirth, parenting and breastfeeding. In addition, she has written about home décor and travel.

by Patricia Hughes

The final stage of pregnancy can cause anxiety for many women. Fear of labor is real. A study done in Sweden in 2001 showed that fear resulted in more medication used in labor. The study was done on first time mothers and showed that more drugs were needed for women who exhibited fear before and during labor. Fear can take many forms, such as the fear of the unknown, pain or fear that results from hearing horror stories from friends or family about difficult labors.

Fear of labor has gained attention in recent years. In the year 2000, an article in the British Journal of Psychiatry addressed this fear. It is known as tokophobia, or the fear of childbirth. This fear is now classified as a psychiatric disorder. The study discussed in the article showed that fears resulted in an increase in night mares and panic attacks.

There are many reasons that women fear labor. One is that childbirth is often shrouded in mystery. Women don’t grow up seeing labor or babies being born. In past generations, babies were born at home. Young women saw siblings, nieces and cousins born throughout their lives. When it came time to have a baby, they were less likely to fear the process. Young women today experience fear of the unknown when they are pregnant. For most women, their own baby is the first they will see born.

Over the past hundred years, birth has become a medical event. Throughout human history, babies were born at home with a midwife in attendance. It’s only in the past several generations that birth has moved from home to the hospital. The medical environment with the machines, sounds, smells and medical staff may elicit fear.

The best way to deal with the fear of the unknown is to learn about labor and childbirth. Read books about birth and take a childbirth preparation class. You can borrow books from friends or the library. The more you know about the process of birth, the more you will be able to trust in your body’s ability to give birth.

Television shows that depict birth may seem like a good source of information. That is not always the case. Some of these shows depict high risk pregnancies and births with complications. They may leave you feeling nervous and more afraid. It can make you think all births are complicated. This is not the case and will make you worry needlessly. Watch videos that your childbirth educator suggests for a good idea of a normal birth.

Once you have learned about birth, create a birth plan. Your birth plan spells out what you want and what you want to avoid in labor. Creating a birth plan can help you feel more in control. This often helps alleviate fear. Discuss your birth plan with your doctor or midwife. Give copies to your doctor, the hospital, your labor coach and pack one in your bag.

Look for ways to let go of the fear. A hypnobirthing class may be a good choice if you fear labor. This method uses self hypnosis to deal with pain in childbirth. It helps relieve fear and keep you relaxed. The program has CDs for each trimester for you to practice at home. Use visualization and relaxation exercises to help reduce fear as well.

What are some of the early signs of labor? Are you ready? After 9 months it all comes down to this. Most women are both excited and a little nervous at the same time. During pregnancy, the greatest fear of a woman who has never conceived a child before is labor pain. Many pregnant women are afraid that they will miss the signs of labor, making them unprepared for their child’s delivery. The amazing thing about pregnancy and the female body is that no pregnant woman can miss the early signs of labor because her body will provide her with clues to tell her that the start of labor is approaching.

For some women, labor only lasts a few hours, while others experience more than a day of labor. Although this part of pregnancy is the most dreaded time, many women say that it is as rewarding as it is a scary experience.

See Also: Childbirth and Calming the Fear of Labor or Natural Pain Relief Childbirth Options

Majority of women experience the early signs of labor weeks before the actual delivery. These signs will help the mother to prepare her body for the approaching delivery. If this is your first pregnancy, expect the early signs of labor to occur weeks before the estimated schedule of your delivery. Otherwise, you can expect these signs to be present a few hours before delivery.

Is It Time For Labor?

During pregnancy, so many changes in a woman’s body occur. Once a woman becomes pregnant, her entire body gradually changes to prepare her for delivering the baby into the world.

A pregnant woman’s body guides her through this natural process from the start to finish by signaling specific clues. The early signs of labor are one of those clues. Identifying each of these early signs can help pregnant women become emotionally and physically prepared in giving birth to her new baby.

How To Identify Each Sign

As your pregnancy comes to an end, the baby’s head usually begin to slide down lower into your pelvis as your uterus becomes soft. This process is known as engagement or dropping, which allows the mother to breathe more easily. Some women experience the dropping of their babies weeks before the baby is born. When this is the case, mothers can expect to conceive any time soon.

One of the most obvious signs of labor is known as pelvic pressure. This condition occurs after dropping and often gives mothers discomfort. This occurs because you baby is giving extra pressure on your bladder and bowel. Pelvic pressure can cause swelling of legs, sharp twinges, aching pubic bones and backaches.

Other early signs of pregnancy labor include vaginal discharge, nesting instinct (an emotional condition wherein the mother prepares for the baby’s arrival by cleaning every thing in the house), Braxton Hicks contractions (stretching of the lower part of the uterus), shivering, trembling and diarrhea.

The last three signs of labor are probably the most important part of pregnancy. These include bloody show, rupture of membranes (water breaking) and regular contractions, which are all signs that labor will happen in a few minutes or hours. These three signs of labor work by helping the mother and baby to work together during the delivery.

Bloody show, which is also known as mucus plug, work as the cervix begins to dilate while the mucus plug begins to dislodge. It is called “bloody show” because a brownish red liquid usually appears. Although this sign of labor usually suggest that labor is near, other pregnancy reports that the “show” occur weeks before the labor starts.

Rapture of membrane or water breaking during pregnancy is the most popular sign of labor. If your water breaks, be ready to go into labor within the next 24 hours. When this happens, the regular contractions normally begin, intensify and signal your body that the baby is getting close.

The last sign of labor is regular contractions. These contractions work by pushing the baby slowly through the lower uterus and thus, your baby is almost within your reach. Pregnancy contractions, along with other early signs of labor, allow doctors, mothers and the baby to work together for a smooth delivery.

Don't forget to check out all our articles on Childbirth and Labor

Ready, set, go!! Just the thougt of pregnancy and labor can be hard work, and a little bit scary if this is your first time! If we were contractors we’d raise our rates because labor required in pregnancy is so intensive! Some women avoid the whole process by going the route of the Caesarean, more commonly known as the C-section. C-sections have their own set of complications to consider that might be comparable to or even worse than pregnancy and labor.

Preparing for pregnancy labor is possible and although you can’t avoid it completely, some success in dealing with it is possible.

Preparation and Training Classes

If you lived in the sixties and seventies then you’ve seen movies with scenes from pregnancy labor and breathing classes. I suppose this was a natural outcropping of the hippie era – an attempt to regain lost ground. Baby bottles and commercial formulas had a big impact on American society in the decades following World War II. The hippie generation tried to reverse the flow and lots of energy went into natural child birthing techniques.

The mid-wife has held a primary position in rural society for centuries, and often replaced the doctor when they were not available for deliveries. In addition to delivery, the mid-wife was schooled in and also helped school other women in the process of childbirth including pregnancy and labor.

Timing

Let’s say pregnancy is like an hour glass – even the shape is significant. In the early days and weeks, the focus is on the top or mental considerations. Next comes intake of nutrients and then impact on muscles, breathing and maintaining health.

Very soon however the hour glass shifts to the lower section and the focus is on the mid section and growing concern for what is happening within the belly. By the time the sand has shifted entirely into the southern hemisphere of the hour glass, training and preparation are over.

To go from conception to morning sickness to mood swings in pregnancy to actual labor in nine month is truely amazing. As many people have seen and every mom experiences it; timing plays a pivotal role throughout. Not every woman gets sick or irritated or moody. Even the weight gained and pressure levels are personal. Such is the way of pregnancy labor – false labor, pre-labor, water breaking and racing in taxis to the emergency room – it’s all personal.

It’s all in the Delivery

I was born in a blizzard but my mom said it was an easy pregnancy and labor which lasted only an hour an a half. If you want your best chance at an easy delivery and manageable pregnancy labor, then stay fit, eat healthy and try to understand what the breathing exercises are about. Have a little faith; nothing good in life comes without a little struggle or a price – and this includes your special delivery. The miracle of childbirth will make it all worth it. Good Luck from all of us at More4kids!

by Patricia Hughes

by Patricia Hughes

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