Preterm Labour
🚨 Symptoms
Regular contractions before 37 weeks, lower back pain, pelvic pressure, menstrual-like cramps, change in vaginal discharge (watery, mucus, or bloody), rupture of membranes (waters breaking)
🔍 Causes
Multiple pregnancy, previous preterm birth, uterine/cervical abnormalities, infection (chorioamnionitis, UTIs), placental abruption, PPROM (preterm prelabour rupture of membranes), lifestyle factors (smoking, stress), African-Caribbean ethnicity
💊 Treatment
Tocolytics (nifedipine, atosiban) to delay birth for 48 hours to allow corticosteroids, corticosteroids (betamethasone) for fetal lung maturity, magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection, antibiotics if PPROM, transfer to unit with neonatal intensive care
📝 Nursing Care
Monitor contractions, fetal heart rate, cervical changes; administer tocolytics and corticosteroids; monitor for signs of infection; prepare for preterm delivery; provide emotional support; educate on signs of labour
Source: NHS Scotland. For educational purposes only.