When did everyone elses obgyn discuss this?

Question

My doctor hasn't discussed any signs of pre term labor or even talked about pre term labor with me yet. Nor has she talked about where to call or what to do in case I go into labor in case its after office hours. I know if I need to I can go to the ER so im not asking you people to tell me that im just curious about when your doctors discussed these situations with you. Around how many weeks were you?

Answer 1

usually around the last 7th month going into the 8th month did my doctor start to talk to me about pre-term labor and also let me know the number to the after office hours and such.

Answer 2

Signs and Symptoms of Preterm Labor and What to Do

What Is Preterm Labor?
Preterm or premature labor happens when you go into labor before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. This is too early for your baby to be born. Babies born too soon can have lifelong or life-threatening health problems.

Can Preterm Labor Be Stopped?
Many women are given drugs to try to delay or stop preterm labor. In some cases, birth can be delayed long enough to transport Mom to a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Women may also be given medications that can improve the baby's health, even if the baby comes early.

Warning Signs
Here are the warning signs:

* Contractions (your abdomen tightens like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often
* Change in vaginal discharge (leaking fluid or bleeding from your vagina)
* Pelvic pressure—the feeling that your baby is pushing down
* Low, dull backache
* Cramps that feel like your period
* Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

What Should I Do If I Think I'm Having Preterm Labor?
Call your health care provider (nurse, doctor or midwife) or go to the hospital right away if you think you're having preterm labor, or if you have any of the warning signs. Call even if you have only one sign.

Your health care provider may tell you to:

* Come into the office or go to the hospital for a checkup.
* Stop what you're doing. Rest on your left side for one hour.
* Drink 2-3 glasses of water or juice (not coffee or soda).

If the symptoms get worse or do not go away after one hour, call your provider again or go to the hospital. If the symptoms get better, relax for the rest of the day.


Are You at Risk?

Preterm labor and delivery can happen to any pregnant woman. But they happen more often to some women than to others. Researchers continue to study preterm labor and birth. They have identified some risk factors, but still cannot predict which women will give birth too early. Having a risk factor does not mean a woman will have preterm labor or preterm birth. It means she is more likely to have preterm labor or birth than other women.

Three groups of women are at greatest risk of preterm labor and birth:

* Women who have had a previous preterm birth
* Women who are pregnant with twins, triplets or more
* Women with certain uterine or cervical abnormalities


If you have any of these three risk factors, it's especially important for you to know the signs and symptoms of preterm labor and what to do if they occur.


Lifestyle and Environmental Risks
Some studies have found that certain lifestyle factors may put a woman at greater risk of preterm labor. These factors include:

* Late or no prenatal care
* Smoking
* Drinking alcohol
* Using illegal drugs
* Exposure to the medication DES
* Domestic violence, including physical, sexual or emotional abuse
* Lack of social support
* Stress
* Long working hours with long periods of standing


Medical Risks
Certain medical conditions during pregnancy may increase the likelihood that a woman will have preterm labor. These conditions include:

* Urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, sexually transmitted infections and possibly other infections
* Diabetes
* High blood pressure
* Clotting disorders (thrombophilia)
* Bleeding from the vagina
* Certain birth defects in the baby
* Being pregnant with a single fetus after in vitro fertilization (IVF)
* Being underweight before pregnancy
* Obesity
* Short time period between pregnancies (less than 6-9 months between birth and the beginning of the next pregnancy)


Researchers also have identified other risk factors. For instance, African-American women, women younger than 17 or older than 35, and poor women are at greater risk than other women. Experts do not fully understand why and how these factors increase the risk that a woman will have preterm labor or birth.


What Can Women Do?
Remember, though, even if you have one of these risk factors, it does not mean you will have preterm labor. It just means that you are at greater risk than a woman who does not have a risk factor. Still, knowing you're at risk is scary. That's why it's so important that you:

* Know the signs and symptoms of preterm labor
* Know what to do if you have any of them
* Take very good care of yourself and your baby while you're pregnant

This is the best way to protect yourself and your baby against preterm labor and delivery.

The March of Dimes is funding research to better understand risk factors and the causes of premature birth.
http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/13454.asp

Answer 3

It depends on how far along are you. But if you feel like its time to get knowing these things then ask him. Maybe your GP isn't worried at all that you are gonna have pre term labor, maybe because you've had a healthy pregnancy. I'm 28 wks, just went last week to my dr regular appt and she told me about braxton hicks...that's all the new stuff she said. She also told me (as she always has) that's she's available 24/7 if I have any concerns. She gave us her mobile number since the 1st appt and I have call her when I truly think it's necessary. She has always answered or return my calls. But I know how you feel...I was wondering about it too and my nex appt is by the end of november, so I'm gonna ask all these stuff. Good luck

Answer 4

My doctor didn't discuss these things with me during my first 2 pregnancies. Then with my 3rd I started having signs of preterm labor (around 32 weeks) and she told me everything I needed to know. If you are worried about not knowing then ask. Most doctors are more than happy to answer your questions. If your doctor hasn't said anything to you maybe it is because she isn't worried you will go into preterm labor. Good luck.

Answer 5

My doctor never discussed it with me until I had pre-term labor. He then asked me where I wanted to deliver at and so on. However I already knew that I just needed to go to the hospitial if something was wrong and my doctor would be called then.

Answer 6

When I went to the Dr. to confirm my pregnancy, she gave me a packet of stuff about what to eat, exercise, vitamins, pediatricians, hospitals, etc. One of the papers discussed what to do when you go into labor... preterm or regular. I just read it a few days ago and they said to call the office and if it's during regular office hours, that they want to see you. Otherwise, they will instruct you to go to the hospital and they will meet you there.

But I am 31 weeks and no one has said anything else to me since then....

Answer 7

If she hasn't brought it up, then you need to. You have to be pro-active in your care & each stage of your pregnancy - take charge, get the info you need & don't let her out of the room until all of your questions are answered to your satisfaction! Make a list of questions & concerns so you won't get tongue-tied or off track. These are things you need to know. Also, check with the facility in which you plan to deliver & see what type of pregnancy & delivery classes or information they have for you. The more you know, the better you will feel. Congratulations!!

Answer 8

I don't think my ob talked to me about any of this either with my first pregnancy. I just knew that if I experienced any problem I could call the office and get the after hours number to call. Call an talk to the nurse at your docs office.

Answer 9

My Dr brought it up last week for the first time at my 28 week appt. But I am pretty sure we both assumed that if I felt anything "scary" I'd just go to the ER...they can always check for you and that is what they are paid for...

Answer 10

my doctor asks me every visit if i have had any signs of preterm labor, contrataction,cramping , bleeding pressure in my pelvice area, swelling,etc and im sixth months.and he has also made it very clear on what to do if i have any of these problems!