Signs of Possible Premature Labour
- A contraction every 10 minutes, or more frequently within one hour (five or more uterine contractions in an hour).
- Watery fluid leaking from your vagina (this could indicate that your bag of water is broken).
- Menstrual-like cramps.
- Low, dull backache.
- Pelvic pressure that feels like the baby is pushing down.
- Abdominal cramps that may occur with or without diarrhea.
- Unusual or sudden increase of vaginal discharge.
- Blood from your vagina.
The Decision
How early is too early? That is difficult to determine, it all depends on the individual baby.
Some do fine without medical assistance at 30 weeks, with constant kangaroo care and expressed breastmilk spoon feeding until they are strong enough to breastfeed.
Some 36 weekers have respiratory difficulties and require some medical assistance.
You need to make the decision for yourself - there may be a reason the baby is coming early that you can resolve, or it is simply time for the baby to come.
1. You can go to hospital immediately for assistance in stopping premature labour by chemical means - drugs with side effects to stop the contractions, and steroid drugs to speed up lung maturation.
Studies have not shown improvement in the survival of preterm babies or how well they do later with prolonged tocolytic drug use to stop contractions. Side effects are very common and some rare dangerous effects (fluid in the lungs, blood chemistry imbalances, heart problems, liver and kidney complications and even death) have been recorded.
You will be subjected to a managed hospital birth if they cannot stop premature labour. You may also be pressured into a caesarean section.
After birth, the baby will go to the NICU for monitoring and assistance. Seperation of mother and baby is common if your baby is premature.
2. You can try drinking a glass or two of wine and going to bed to sleep, read, relax and stay in bed. Sometimes the wine relaxes the uterine and labour stops on its own. If it doesn't you can go to hospital or have the baby at home.
3. You can give birth at home, then determine whether it is necessary to go to hospital or not depending on your baby's condition and how they cope with kangaroo care and breastfeeding.
Most UC'ers are comfortable with birthing at home at around 35 weeks, some may consider 33-34 weeks. Others get medical assistance to try to stop labour and if it doesn't work some may opt to check out and go home. This is not easy to do due to pressure from the hospital knowing that the mother is going to give birth prematurely.
Herbal Remedies
Valerian can help relax the mother and slow or stop her labour. Wild Yam root and Lobelia root are supposed to help maintain the pregnancy and prevent miscarriage and premature labour. Black Haw root and False Unicorn root are also known miscarriage preventers. False Unicorn helps with a loose cervix. Those roots are best taken as an infusion brewed for 8 hours.
Infection
If preterm labour is thought to be caused by an infection, take Grapefruit seed extract, 10 drops 3 times a day or Echinacea root infusion.
Other Resources
NHMRC Publication: Preterm Birth (even though this publication has been rescinded, there is still some good information there)
Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby (ABA booklet)
Cup Feeding Premature Babies
Expressing Breast Milk
