Preterm Labor

Preterm labor means the labor that occurs after the 20th week but before 37th week. It may be associated with infection. The contractions occur more frequent than every 10 minutes and last 30 seconds or longer and persist.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Abdominal cramping
• Uterine contractions
• Low back pain
• Pelvic pressure or heaviness
• Discharge may be thicker or thinner, bloody, brown or colorless and may be odorous
• Amniotic membranes are ruptured

Nursing Interventions:

• The interventions are focused on stopping the labor: treat infection, restrict activity, and hydration
• Monitor fetal status
• Bed rest and lateral position
• Administer medications as prescribed: Ritodrin (Yutopar), Magnesium sulfate, Terbutaline (Brethine), Nifedipine (Procardia), Indomethacin (Indocin).