PRE-TERM LABOR

PRE-TERM LABOR IS LABORTHAT STARTS BEFORE IT IS YOUR DUE DATE. IF YOUR LABOR STARTS BEFORE THE 37TH WEEK OF PREGNANCY, THIS IS PRE-TERM LABOR. PRE-TERM LABOR CAN CAUSE YOU TO DELIVER YOU BARY TOO EARLY

Babies who are born too early may have serious health problems.

They may have:

• Breathing problems;
• Hearing and seeing problems; and/or
• Eating problems

Some infants may even die from being born too early.

WOMEN WHO ARE AT RISK:
Women who have had:

• Pre-term labor before;
• A pre-term birth before; and/or
• Infections or problems with their vagina or uterus.

Women who:

• Do not eat a healthy diet;
• Use alcohol tobacco or other drugs;
• Get little or no health care during their pregnancy; and/or
• Have diabetes or high blood pressure.

WARNING SIGNS OF PRE-TERM
LABOR:

• Your uterus may begin to cramp or "contract." The contractions may he painless.
• You may have diarrhea with the cramps your bag of water breaks.
• You may feet like the baby is "pushing down" when you are cramping.
• You may have a low, dull backache.

IF YOU HAW ANY OF THESE WARNING SIGNS OF PRE-TERM LABOR, CALL YOUR AMERIGROUP COMMUNITY CARE DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY!

Your doctor will want to check and see if you are in pre-term labor. If you are he/she may have you start treatments to help stop the preterm labor. The treatment may include:

• Bed rest;
• Drinking plenty of fluids; and/or
• Taking medications that stop pre-term labor.

Remember that stopping pre-term labor will give your baby more time to grow and develop inside your body. This will help you have a healthier baby when he or she is born.