Janray Kyle B.

Falculan
Section A
DR requirement
04-02-2020

Preterm labor
Factors

 Cervical persistence
 Uterine contractions
 Activation of the decidua and membranes

  Smoking
 Being very overweight or underweight before pregnancy
 Not getting good prenatal care
 Drinking alcohol or using street drugs during pregnancy
 Having health conditions, such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, diabetes, blood clotting
disorders, or infections
 Being pregnant with a baby that has certain birth defects
 Being pregnant with a baby from in vitro fertilization
 Being pregnant with twins or other multiples
 A family or personal history of premature labor
  Getting pregnant too soon after having a baby

Description
Is labor that occurs before the end of the 37th week of gestation. It occurs in approximately 9% to 11% of
all pregnancies. It is always potentially serious because if it results in the infants birth the infant will be
immature… it is responsible for 2/3 of infant deaths
Medications
Tocolytics
are drugs that are used to delay your delivery for a short time (up to 48 hours) if you begin labor too early
in your pregnancy
Terbutaline
is a drug approved to prevent treat bronchospasm but ma be used off label as a tocolytic. Terbutaline
carries a block box warning however that it should not be used for over 48 or 72 hours of therapy
because of a potential for serious maternal heart problems and death.
Magnesium Sulfate
Given intravenously is used primarily to treat preeclampsia and prevent eclamptic seizures. It was
traditionally given to prevent preterm labor as well. However recent researches does not support its use,
there is no significant difference between mothers that were prescribed with this.

Diagnostic examination

 Pelvic examination
 Ultrasound
 Uterine Monitoring
 Lab Tests
Nursing care
A woman who is in preterm labor is placed on bedrest to relieve the pressure of the fetus to the cervix.
External fetal and uterine contractions are monitors are attached to monitor FHR and the intensity of
Contractions. IVF therapy is initiated to keep the pregnant woman hydrated, Although not well
documented, hydration may prevent contractions. This is thought to be effective because if a woman is
dehydrated, the pituitary gland will be activated to secret antidiuretic hormone which might cause the
pituitary to release oxytocin as well.
Vaginal and cervical cultures and clean catch urine sample are prescribed to rule out infection. If a
urinary tract infection is present the woman will be prescribed an antibiotic that is especially effective for
group B Streptococcus as this infection can be fatal to the newborn.