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| Home > Complication & Medications > Premature Birth
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| | Premature Birth
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 A birth occurring before the thirty- seventh week of gestation is called a premature birth. If your contractions start or you experience any of the signs of labor before thirty-seven week`s gestation, call on your hospital. Time the contractions for one hour after you lie down. If the contrac-tions occur at an interval of ten minutes or less, or if you have any concerns, call your doctor or midwife.
Pre term labor is normally prevented by doctors because the premature baby may not be ready for independent existence. These babies are small and immature and are unsuitable for extra uterine life. Doctor`s advice bed rest, followed by medications to inhibit contractions. The success rates of these labors are very low, and birth is almost certain. The doctors then concentrate on manag-ing the labor and preparing for a baby in need of special care.
An electronic fetal monitor would used to monitor the baby`s condition round the clock. Pain medications; de-press the fetal respirations and heart rate, so in early labor relaxa-tion and breathing techniques could be used as pain relievers. In active labor or during birth, regional anesthesia may work in that direction. In case the vaginal wall constricts the baby`s soft skull episiotomy or forceps may be used to extricate the baby.
Protection of your baby`s health, and his need for special care, may keep him away from you for long periods. He may be put in a special nursery in a hos-pital. You may be able to nurse him there and take care of him. It would be a fulfilling experience and your baby will be acquainted to you.
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