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Can anything be done about premature labor ? Yes we now treat premature labor in several different ways.
The treatment most often used for premature labor is bed rest.
A woman is advised to stay in bed and lie on her side. (Either side is OK.) Not everyone agrees on this treatment, but bed rest is often successful in stopping contractions and premature labor. If this happens to you, it may mean you can't go to work or continue many activities. It's worth it to try bed rest if you can avoid premature delivery of your baby.
Beta-adrenergic agents, also called tocolytic agents, may be used to suppress labor. Beta-adrenergics are muscle relaxants. They relax the uterus and decrease contractions. (The uterus is mainly muscle, which is active in pushing the baby out through the cervix during labor.) At this time, only ritodrine (Yutopare) is approved by the FDA to treat premature labor.
Ritodrine is given in three different forms: as an I.V., as an intramuscular injection and as a pill. It is usually initially given intravenously and may require a hospital stay of a couple of days or more.

When premature contractions stop, you can be switched to oral medications, which you take every 2 to 4 hours. Ritodrine is approved for use in pregnancies over 20 weeks' and under 36 weeks' gestation. In some cases, medication is used without giving an I.V. first. This is done most often in women with a history of premature labor or for a woman with multiple pregnancies.
Terbutaline is also frequently used as a muscle relaxant.
Although it has been shown to be an effective medication, it has not been approved for this use by the FDA. Terbutaline side effects are similar to those of ritodrine.

Magnesium sulfate is used to treat pre-eclampsia (see Week 31 for information on pre eclampsia). We have known for quite a while that magnesium sulfate can also be used to help stop labor. This medication is most often given through an I.V. and requires hospitalization. However, it is occasionally given as an oral preparation, without hospitalization. Your healthcare provider must monitor you frequently if he or she prescribes magnesium sulfate.
Sedatives or narcotics may be used in early attempts to stop labor. This may consist of an injection of morphine or meperidine (Demerol). This is not a long-term solution but may be effective in initially stopping labor.

Benefits of Stopping Premature Labor
Benefits of stopping premature labor include reducing the risks of fetal problems and problems related to premature delivery.
If you experience premature labor, you may need to see your healthcare provider frequently. Your caregiver will probably monitor your pregnancy with ultrasound or nonstress tests.

How Your Actions Affect Your Baby's Development
Most of our discussion this week has been devoted to the premature infant and treatment of premature labor. If you are diagnosed as having premature labor and your healthcare provider prescribes bed rest and medications to stop it, follow his or her advice!

If you're concerned about your healthcare provider's instructions, discuss them with him or her. If you're told not to work or to reduce your activities and you ignore the advice, you're taking chances with your well-being and your unborn baby's. It isn't worth taking risks. Don't be afraid to ask for another opinion or the opinion of a perinatologist if you experience premature labor.

We hope you have been listening to your body during your pregnancy. You rest when you're tired. You go to the bathroom when you first feel the urge. You pay attention to any new discomforts. You may also listen to your body when it comes to food and drink. When you feel hungry or thirsty, you eat or drink something. Eating smaller, more-frequent meals provides a constant supply of nutrients to your growing baby.

Keep nourishing snacks near at hand. Raisins, dried fruit and nuts are good choices when you're on the go. Know what time of day or night hunger strikes you the hardest. Be prepared.
You can be different, if you want to be. Eat spaghetti for breakfast and cereal for lunch if that's what appeals to you. Don't

Preterm labour is the start of labour between 20 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm labour can be caused by a problem with the baby, the mother, or both. Often the cause is not known.