Welcome to the Fetal Diagnostic Center

Preventing Premature Birth

As a pregnant woman, you probably know your due date and expect your baby to be born right around that time.  But do you know that every eyar in the U.S., more than 476,000 babies are born too early?  That's approximately 12 percent of all live births - or one of eight babies born.  Yet for half of these babies born too soon there is no known cause why labor and birth occurred too early.

 
Babies born too soon, or prematurely, can suffer life-long health consequences, such as mental retardation, chronic lung disease, cerebral palsy and blindness, among other problerms.  Babies born prematurely are the leading cause of newborn death.  Prematurity is such a large threat to unborn babies that many organizations have joined forces to better understand its causes so that it can be prevented.  Because we do not yet know how to prevent preterm labor, which can lead to preterm birth, the best actions for pregnant women are to stay as healthy as possible thorugh pregnancy and know the signs of preterm labor.  By knowing these, signs, pregnant women and their unborn babies can get early treatment to help reduce the problems associated with being born too soon or too small. 
 
Could your baby be at risk for premature birth?
   
Are you experiencing, or have experienced, any of the following during your pregnancy:
 
  • Contractions every 10 minutes or more often?
  • Clear, pink or brownish fluid (water) leaking from your vagina?
  • The feeling that your baby is pushing down?
  • A low, dull backache?
  • Menstrual-like cramps like you might have with your period?
  • Cramps with or without diarrhea?
 
Seeking Treatment for Signs of Preterm Labor or Birth
 

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, contact your health care provider as they have instructed or go to the hospital - your baby could be at risk for premature birth.

Premature babies are those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, or three or more weeks before your due date.  Preterm labor can happen to any pregnant woman at any time.  In some cases it can be stopped or medications can be given to help the baby before delivery.  Knowing about preterm labor now could save your baby's life. 

When you contact your health care provider, she or he may tell you:

  • Stop what you are doing and rest on your left side for one hour; drink 2 to 3 glasses of water or juice (not coffee, soda, or any beverage with caffeine) during this time
  • Call again or go to the hospital if your symptoms get worse or don't get better after one hour
  • Spend the rest of the day resting and drinking as much water or juice as possible if your symptoms improve after relaxing for at least one hour
  • Come into the office or go immediately to the hospital for a check-up, which may include on or more of the following depending on your individual factors: cervical exam, cervical ultrasound, fetal fibronectin testing, or fetal monitoring
   

Reducing Risks for Preterm Birth

Experts don't know exactly what causes preterm labor or birth btu there are some widely recognized choices that women can make to help give their babies the healthiest start possible, including: 
  • Start getting regular prenatal check-ups; go to every appointment
  • Take a prenatal vitamin throughout your pregnancy
  • Tell your health care provider if you have ever had a pregnancy that ended early or a labor that started before your thirty seventh week of pregnancy
  • Don't use tobacco or drink alcohol; they are not good for you or your baby; avoid second-hand smoke both at work and at play; If you smoke, quite; if you can't stop smoking, cut back
  • Don't use any illegal drugs and tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter medicines you are taking
  • Avoid stress as much as possible; ask family and friends to help you stay as stress-free as possible; rest whenever you can
  • Call your health care provider if you feel any burning or pain when you go to the bathroom, you may have an infection that needs to be treated
  • Know the signs of preterm labor and what to do if you have them
   

 

Assessing Preterm Labor and Birth Risk

How can I tell if I am at risk for having a preterm delivery?
There are certain factors that may indicate you are at risk for having a preterm delivery such as previous preterm delivery, smoking, or poor nutrition.  There are also tests such as fetal fibronectin testing (fFN) and cervical length evaluation that may be used by health care providers in caring for women at high risk for preterm delivery.
What is the fetal fibronectin test?
The fetal fibronecin test involves obtaining a sample of vaginal fluid on a cotton swab during a pelvic exam.  This sample will be examined for the presence of fetal fibronectin.  Fetal fibronectin is not usually found in the vagina between 22 and 3 weeks gestation.  If it's present, it could be a warning sign of preterm birth within 7-14 days.   False positive tests do occur.
How long does it take to get the test result?
If the sample is processed at a local laboratory; the results may be available within 1 hour.  If the sample is sent out to a central laboratory for processing, results will be available in one business day.
What do the results mean?
Test results are reported as positive or negative.  A positive result may indicate that preterm birth may occur within 14 days.  However, having a positive result is not a strong indicator that birth will occur.  A negative result is much more reliable and indicates that preterm birth will probably not occur within 14 days.  Often, health care providers feel more reassured in sending a premature labor patient home after a negative fetal fibronectin test. 
What is cervical length measurement?
Cervical length is measured using ultrasound.  An ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina and the length of the cervix is measured. 
What is normal cervical length?
The length of the cervix varies during pregnancy.  However, cervical length of 3cm or more indicates that delivery within 14 days is unlikely.
Does every pregnant woman need to have a fetal fibronectin test or a cervical length measurement?
No.  These tests are only indicated if a woman has been identified as being at risk for preterm delivery.  Occassionally, health care providers may use these tests in different ways.  For example, some providers may routinely perform these tests in women with a prior history of preterm birth.  Sometimes, a shortened cervix may be found early in ultrasound.  Please talk to your doctor anytime there is a question or concern.

 
More About Preterm Birth Assessment

 

Information supplied by the Association of Women's Health,

Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
The information on this website is for your non-commercial use. Please reference any information used from this site to Contemporary OB/GYN of Western Kentucky, P.S.C . This material is purely informational. Please do not consider the materials as medical advice or medical opinion for your condition. Consult your physician before making any decisions based on this information.

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