Preterm Labor & Premature Rupture of Membranes

What is the T in true labor?

Timing of contractions becomes regular in frequency, stronger intensity and longer durations

What is the R in true labor?

Radiating discomfort (begins in lower back radiating to abdomen)

What is the U in True Labor?

Unable to relieve discomfort with activity such as walking (contractions continue despite comfort measures)

What is the E in True Labor?

Effacement and dilation of cervix are progressive descent of the fetal presenting part into the pelvis. May have a bloody show.

What is the F in Fake Labor?

Fails to cause changes in cervical effacement or dilation

What is the A in Fake Labor?

Activity such as walking , position changes, hydrations and emptying bladder may decrease/lessen contractions

What is the K in Fake Labor?

Keep feeling pains usually in the same area-upper abdomen and groin

What is the E in Fake Labor?

Erratic, irregular, usually no increase in frequency, durations and intensity. Braxton Hicks

What are Tocolytics?

suppress uterine contractions and delay preterm labor

helps slow or stop labor before 37 weeks, allowing more time for fetal lung maturity

What can Tocolytics be taken with?

corticosteroids

What are examples of tocolytics?

Terbutaline (Beta-agonist)

What is an adverse effect of Terbutaline?

tachycardia

Which tocolytic is a calcium channel blocker?

Nifedipine

Which tocolytic is an NSAID?

Indomethacin

Which tocolytic is neuroprotective for preterm infants?

Magnesium sulfate

What is preterm labor?

labor that occurs before 37 weeks gestation

uterine contractions & cervical changes that occur between 20-26 weeks and 6 days of gestation

What does the fluid from a premature rupture of membranes look like?

“clear” fluid discharge from the vagina

may be blood-tinged, or greenish (meconium)

What is Premature Rupture Of Membranes?

rupture of amniotic sac & leakage of amniotic fluid beginning at least 1-hour before onset of labor at any gestational age

What does Its Not My Time Baby stand for?

Indomethacin (NSAID)

Nifedipine (Calcium Channel Blocker)

Magnesium Sulfate

Terbutaline (Adrenergic Agonist)

Betamethasone

What is Tocolysis?

an obstetrical procedure with the use of medications done to delay the delivery of a fetus in women presenting preterm contractions.

What is Betamethasone?

enhances fetal lung maturity and surfactant production in fetuses between 24 to 35 weeks’ gestation

How is Betamethasone adminstered

12mg IM then 24h later another 12mg IM

What is the risk of Rupturing of Membranes?

chorioamnionitis/infection & prolapse cord