What should I do?
If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately. Explain what is going on and provide as many details as you can. For example, how far apart are your contractions? Is the fluid trickling from your vagina clear, or does it have an odor? Your doctor will give you instructions to either go into the office to be evaluated, head to the emergency room, or drink a few big glasses of water and lay down. Being dehydrated can worsen Braxton-Hicks contractions, which mimic real labor. Drinking some water can sometimes stop the contractions, but you should still rest, monitor yourself and continue to drink water.
If the doctor advises you to rest, and your symptoms don’t go away or worsen, don’t hesitate to call your doctor back or head to the hospital if you feel that the baby might be coming imminently.
Can pre-term labor be stopped?
Depending on how far along you are and your clinical situation, the doctor may advise giving you medication to stop your labor. Many women are also given a steroid shot that helps the baby’s lungs mature (a major concern for premature babies) just in case the baby needs to be delivered anyway.
Will my baby be okay?
Because of the potential health complications, delivering a very premature baby can present life-threatening challenges. Sometimes the best course of action is to stall labor long enough to get mom into a hospital that has a NICU equipped to care for very small preemies. Babies who are only a week or two premature have a much better shot at being born without serious health problems. Remember, not every woman who experiences pre-term labor symptoms will have their baby prematurely, but she should follow up with her doctor nonetheless.