Preterm Labor

Signs and Symptoms of Preterm Labor 

These signs and symptoms are not to be ignored

Preterm Labor is labor that starts before 37 weeks or pregnancy

• Contractions - any tightening of the uterus or abdomen that is rhythmic or comes and goes.
• Increased vaginal discharge - vaginal discharge is normal in pregnancy, but if there is a change in the amount of discharge, color, or odor
• Watery discharge - any dischage that is like water which soaks through the underwear
• Backache - a dull lower back ache that is off and on
• Menstrual-like cramps (more than 5 in one hour)- this is the most common symptom of true preterm labor
• Abdominal cramping with or without diarrhea
• Pink discharge
• Vaginal bleeding: Any blood or bleeding from the vagina is abnormal before 37 weeks

If you experience any of these symptoms, notify your health provider right away.

Autism now linked to low birth weight preterm infants

We know autism is on the rise, but what is the clinical evidence saying about actual risk factors or causes?  There have been speculations from pitocin used in the delivery room to the caseins in milk, but a team of researchs have something impressive to report.

A recent study, published in Pediatrics (the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP) reports the prevelance of autism spectrum discorders (ASD) is 5 times higher in low birth weight, preterm infants than in the general popluation. The study tracked 862 infants over 21 years. They found that infants with a birth weight less than 4 lbs 6 oz had a 5% prevelance of autism spectrum disorders compared with 1% in the general popluation.