The Role Of An Obstetrician In Premature Labour Prevention
An obstetrician differs from a midwife in that they can carry out a range of diagnostic procedures and treatments if they feel they would be beneficial to you or your unborn baby. You may be referred to an obstetrician if you are at an increased risk of developing complications during your pregnancy, or if you or your unborn child has a health problem. Obstetric care may be recommended if you are at risk of premature labour. Risk factors include a previous pregnancy that concluded prematurely, being in your late thirties or older and certain pre-existing health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.
Close Monitoring
If you're at risk of premature labour you will have more frequent prenatal appointments and your obstetrician may recommend regular blood monitoring and more frequent ultrasound scans. Close monitoring can allow your obstetrician to pick up on any new health problems that can further increase your risk of premature labour, such as hypertension, a urinary tract infection and gestational diabetes. Catching these problems early can allow them to be treated, which can reduce your risk of premature labour.
Preventative Treatments
If you're identified as being at risk of premature labour, your obstetrician may carry out a vaginal ultrasound to determine whether you have a short cervix, which can increase the chance of preterm labour. If you do, they may recommend you take vaginal progesterone suppositories throughout your pregnancy. This can help your cervix stay closed by thickening the lining, and you will be shown how to administer this treatment yourself at home.
If, during one of your check-up appointments, your obstetrician discovers your cervix is dilating prematurely, they may recommend a cervical cerclage. This is a relatively common procedure that involves stitching the cervix to provide support and, hopefully, slow down dilation. Cervical cerclage is carried out as a day case appointment, but it may be necessary to go on bed rest after the procedure to reduce the risk of any further dilation of your cervix as much as possible.
Knowing you're at risk of premature labour can add stress and worry to your pregnancy and impact on your mental health. If you're feeling particularly anxious, discuss this with your obstetrician. They may be able to put your mind at ease by increasing the frequency of your appointments or involving you more in your prenatal care, or they may be able to refer you to a counsellor with relevant experience.
For more info, contact a local obstetrician.
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