Premature birth happens when you deliver your baby before the 37 complete weeks of pregnancy. Premature birth is dangerous to the baby as his or her various organs are not fully developed to allow him or her to survive outside the womb.

This article provides expectant mothers with symptoms of premature labour and ways to prevent it.

Symptoms of premature labour:

1. More frequent than usual fetal movement or unusually low frequency of fetal movements.

2. An increase in vaginal discharge which contains blood.

3. A feeling that your baby is pushing down.

4. Vaginal bleeding before the 36 complete weeks of pregnancy.

5. Contractions in your uterus that happens every 10 minutes or more often.

6. Cramps that makes you feel that your period is coming.

7. Leaking of fluids from the vagina

8. Increased pressure in your pelvis or vagina

If any of the above symptoms appear, the expectant mother should consult the doctor right away.

Prevention of premature labour

Early diagnosis and early detection are the keys to the prevention of premature birth.

The following measures can help to lower the chances of the premature birth:

1. Regular checkups.

Regular checkups can help to detect symptoms of premature birth earlier. Once detect the symptoms, you should follow the instructions of the doctors and nurses closely.

2. Avoid sex if you have a high risk of preterm labour

If your doctor thinks you have a high risk of premature labour, you will be advised to avoid having sexual intercourse. It is important to heed the advice as uterus contractions will occur during sexual intercourse and this may lead to premature birth for you.

3. Avoid squatting or standing for too long and heavy lifting

Squatting or standing for too long and heavy lifting may induce premature labor.

4. Try not to go to crowded places

This is to prevent other people from bumping into you.

5. Drink sufficient water

Drink sufficient water can help to prevent premature birth. Dehydration will increase the chances of premature contraction.

6. Take prenatal vitamins

Taking prenatal vitamins can also help to prevent premature birth. Prenatal vitamins such as folic acid supplements can not only improve the health of you and your baby, it can also help to protect you from premature labor.

Folic acid is one of the most important nutrition that women should take during pregnancy, not only it reduces the chance of birth defect, it may also lower the risk of placental abruption and preeclampsia which are responsible for about 20 percent of premature birth.

Alternatively, natural sources of folate include dark-green leafy vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, oranges, melons and spinach.

7. Eat a nutritious and well-balanced diet

Studies have found that the mother's diet is linked to the risk of preterm birth. If you are under the age of 17 years, over 35 years or carrying twins or multiple babies, nutrition and prenatal care are especially important.

- Adequate vitamin C intake will help to reduce the risk of preterm delivery. Vitamin C aids in making your body's membranes stronger, including the reducing the risk of amniotic membranes rupturing and causing preterm labour. Sources of vitamin C include broccoli, citrus fruits and juices.

- Eat foods rich in calcium and folate. Calcium and folate has shown to be effective in preventing premature birth, so remember to include foods that are rich in calcium and folate in your diet.

- The need for iron during the pregnancy period doubles. This is because you need the hemoglobin produced by iron to carry the oxygen to your tissues and the fetus. You will also need the vitamins B6 and B12 to aid the increase in blood volume and also maintains healthy brain and nerve function. Iron-rich foods include live, lean red meats, fish, tofu and eggs. 

- Protein-rich foods are also vital for tissue growth of both you and your baby. The protein is needed to meet the requirement for growth of your placenta, breasts, uterus and the increased volume of blood. Protein also helps to repair cells that are stressed by the changes caused by pregnancy.

- A 2014 study by the British Medical Journal has also found that pregnant women who eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains may also lower risk of giving birth before the full term. 

8. Prevent excessive weight gain

Gaining excess weight will increase the chances of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, both of which can cause preterm delivery. Hence, it is important to prevent excessive weight gain. Knowing the correct weight that you should gain in your pregnancy stage is essential. Expectant mothers should also try to eat small but more often meals instead of heavy meals.  

An extremely high BMI will also increase the risk of infections or even miscarriage. However, gaining below the weight you need to gain is also risky. Hence, you should use a pregnancy weight gain calculator or consult your doctor. For that, you will need to know your pre-pregnancy weight, current pregnancy week, your height, your present weight and if you are carrying multiple babies.

9. Allow ample time for rest and relaxation

While you are resting or in a relaxed mode, it can help to stop or slow down contractions of the uterus and hence prevent premature birth.

10. Keep the vagina area clean

About half of the premature delivery is induced by the uterine infections. Hence, preventing uterine infection is important to prevent premature labour. Here are a few tips that you can use to keep your vagina clean and prevent infection during pregnancy:

- Wipe from front to back after going to the loo.

- Wash your hands before or after touching the genitals

- Make sure your underwear is clean at all times. If you have increased discharge, you can use a breathable and unscented pantyliner and change it regularly.

11. Avoid long-distance travel

12. Stay active during your pregnancy

Being physically active will reduce the risk of conditions such as diabetes and pre-eclampsia, which can lead to premature birth. This can include simple exercises in your daily routine such as walking, household chores, shopping and climbing the stairs. You can also try pregnancy yoga, swimming or indoor cycling.

Unless you have been diagnosed with conditions associated with premature birth listed below, you should do something active every day.
The conditions associated with premature labour include:

- Waters breaking early

- Persistent bleeding

- Intrauterine growth restriction

- Placenta praevia after 26 weeks of pregnancy

- Cervical stitch

- Gestational diabetes

13. Find a way to destress

Women who are stressed or depressed are more likely to give birth prematurely. It could be because they are less likely to keep their lifestyles healthy. Hence, when you feel that you may be having prenatal depression, it is important to seek help and not dismiss the negative emotions as it could be a serious issue.

14. Cut down or stop smoking and drinking

Smoking and drinking have been linked to premature labour. The more you smoke or drink, the more likely you would experience be a premature birth.

15. Prevent infections:

- Get treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and genital herpes may cause premature labour.

- Prevent animal-borne infections. Contact with animal feces can cause toxoplasmosis, which can be harmful to the baby. Therefore, always wash your hands with soap after touching animals and their bodily fluids. You should also always wear gloves when you are doing gardening work and avoid contact with sheeps, pigs and rodents.

- Prevent food poisoning. Avoid eating foods which may contain bacteria, such as raw meats or fish. Do not eat foods that are past the expiry date, make sure that the preparation process of any foods you consume is hygienic and disinfect surfaces that are touched by raw fish or meat.

- Maintain your dental health. Researchers have shown a link between tooth decay, gum disease and premature birth. Inflammation and infection of the gums may cause premature labour. Although it may not directly cause premature labour, it is still better to take precaution and tell your doctor if you have any dental problems during your pregnancy.