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There are medications that can delay or stop preterm labor. In many cases these medications can delay the birth long enough to get mom to a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit. If the baby still comes too early, there are also medications that can improve the babys health. Symptoms of premature labor include: Contractions (abdomen tightening like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often Change in vaginal discharge (losing fluid or bleeding from the vagina) Pelvic pressure (a feeling like your baby is pushing down) Low, dull backache Cramps that feel like your monthly period Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea If you experience any one of the above symptoms you need to call your health care provider or go to the nearest hospital and/or emergency care unit right away. Any pregnant woman can experience preterm labor and delivery. There are some women at higher risk for preterm labor. Researchers continue to study preterm labor and birth; they have identified some risk factors that include: Women who have had a previous preterm birth Women who are pregnant with twins, triplets or more Women with certain uterine or cervical abnormalities Even if you are one in the above categories of high risk for a preterm birth, researchers still cannot predict which women will give birth too early. If you have a risk factor it does not mean you will be a woman to give birth too early. It just means you might be more likely to have problems of preterm labor or birth more so than other women. Also if you are a woman in one of the high risk categories it is especially important for you to know the signs and symptoms of preterm labor and what to do. Certain lifestyle factors may put a woman at greater risk of preterm labor. Lifestyle factors include: Late or no prenatal care Smoking Drinking alcohol Using illegal drugs Exposure to the medication DES Domestic violence (physical, sexual or emotional abuse) Lack of social support Stress Long working hours with long periods of standing The medical conditions during pregnancy that may increase the chances of a woman delivering too early include: Urinary tract infections Vaginal infections Sexually transmitted infections Possibly other infections Diabetes High blood pressure Clotting disorders (thrombbophilia) Bleeding from the vagina Certain birth defects in the baby Being pregnant with a single fetus after in vitro fertilization (IVF) Being underweight before pregnancy Obesity Short time period between pregnancies (less than 6-9 months between birth and the beginning of the next pregnancy) Other high risk categories researchers have identified include: African-American women Women younger than 17 or older than 35 Poor women are at a greater risk than other women Keep in mind that even if you have one of these risk factors, it does not mean for certain you will deliver your baby or babies early. This only means these are the risk factors identified by experts who study pregnancy and preterm labor. On the other hand, it is also possible for a woman to deliver early who is not in one of these high risk categories. Either way it is important to know: The signs and symptoms of preterm labor when you confirm a pregnancy Know what to do if you have any of the signs and symptoms of preterm labor Take very good care of yourself and your baby while you are pregnant to help ensure a full term delivery Source: March of Dimes Association Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine. This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 5-2007. By: Connie Limon -
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