preterm labor?

Question

I am 33 weeks pregnant and I was wondering how long pre-term labor lasts? Can your cervix be dilating over weeks? My doctor wants me to get checked because I have been having regular contractions and cramping. Thank you

Answer 1

If you have signs of preterm labor or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, call your practitioner, who will probably have you go to the hospital for further assessment. You'll be monitored for contractions (your baby's heart rate will be monitored at the same time) and examined to see if your membranes have ruptured. Your urine will be checked for signs of infection, and cervical and vaginal cultures may be taken, too. You might also be tested for fetal fibronectin.

If your water hasn't broken, your practitioner will do a vaginal exam to assess how much your cervix is dilated and effaced. Often a practitioner will also do an abdominal ultrasound to check the amount of amniotic fluid present and to confirm the baby's growth, gestational age, and position. Finally, some practitioners will do a vaginal ultrasound to double-check the length of your cervix and look for early signs of effacement. If all tests are negative, you and your baby appear healthy, your membranes haven't ruptured, and your cervix remains closed and uneffaced after a few hours of monitoring, you'll most likely be sent home.

Although different practitioners may manage the situation a little differently, there are some general guidelines. If you're less than 34 weeks pregnant and found to be in preterm labor, your membranes are intact, your baby's heart rate is reassuring, and you have no signs of a uterine infection or other problems (such as severe preeclampsia or signs of a placental abruption), your practitioner will attempt to delay your delivery.

First, you'll be put on an IV and given antibiotics to prevent group B streptococcal infection in your baby. This is done just in case a culture shows you're a carrier, as it takes 48 hours to get results. You'll most likely be given medication to try to stop contractions (this can usually delay delivery for two days to a week), as well as corticosteroids to speed up the development of your baby's lungs, intestines, and brain.

If you're in a small community hospital where special neonatal care is not available for a preterm infant, you'll be transferred to a larger institution at this point, if possible. You and your baby will be monitored throughout labor if it does continue.

If your water breaks before 37 weeks but you're not having contractions, your medical team may decide to wait for the onset of labor (which could happen within hours or could take up to a week in the hospital), to induce labor, or to try to delay labor. In any case, you'll be given antibiotics to protect against group B strep and other infections.

Experts differ on what to do in this situation. Waiting to deliver buys your baby more time to mature but increases your risk of infection, which could be dangerous for your baby. Of course, if you develop symptoms of infection or it's clear that your baby's in distress, they'll want you to deliver right away, often by cesarean section.

In most cases, if you're in premature labor after 34 weeks, you'll be allowed to deliver your baby. Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Answer 2

True preterm labor doesn't last very long. You either get it stopped, or you have a baby. Preterm CONTRACTIONS can last for weeks. The difference is preterm contractions don't change your cervix, while preterm labor does. (labor=contractions+cervical change)

It's possible for your cervix to be thinning and maybe dilating a little. If your contractions are regular, you should definitely get checked. The only way to tell if you are in labor or not is to have your cervix checked.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm not sure by what you mean of pre-term labor lasting because on average this can go on for weeks. As for the dilating, yes it can dilate over weeks and even months. My first child I was 2 cm dilated at 24 weeks and I didn't have him until 34 weeks! If you are having regular contractions, try timing them and maybe you should really call the doctor and see if he/she wants you to go to the hospital to be monitored because this could be true labor.

Answer 4

As a mom of 2 preemies and pregnant again. Preterm labor can last until you deliver. You can be dialating for a while. With my first I was at 2 cm for 2 weeks. You should defiently get checked. But dont worry if you do deliver now everything should be okay. I had my daughter at 33 weeks, a son at 24 weeks (that one not so well) . Goodluck.

Answer 5

I have a 28 weeker and I was in labor starting at 14 weeks with him. On the other hand my sister dialated and stayed at 1 for 2 months! If they are reg. contractions and such there are several meds they can give you to stop the labor, #1 being BEDREST!! Good Luck!

Answer 6

With my oldest daughter, I stayed in labor for 2 weeks prior to giving birth. If you are having cramping and contractions, get to the hospital ASAP you are in pre-term labor. I went into pre-term labor at 30 wks. luckily the docs. stopped my labor. But by 33.3 weeks I had to have an emergency c-section. My baby weighed only 3lbs. 7oz. and stayed in NICU for 3 weeks. Do what your doc. says. You don't want to spend 3wks. or 3mths. inthe NICU. My youngest is now fat and healthy but why take the chance. Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 7

I have had prem babies and when i had my little girl in 2005 i walked about 5cm for the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy so yes it can happen over weeks. But what i can tell you is although i was 5cm for the last 6 weeks she turned out to be my first full term baby at 2 days late lol.

Answer 8

I started dilating at 23 weeks i was one cen. By 27 I was 2, By 31wks i was 3 and i had him at 34wks. Good luck.

Answer 9

maybe this link about preterm labor will help ....if not search around the site and see. It helped me SO much during my pregnancy with the twins!

Good luck!


http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/pregcomplications/1055.html