Preterm Labor to Precipitate Flashcards
● Labor that occurs before the end of the 37th week
of gestation.
● It occurs in approximately 9%-11% of all
pregnancies.
● It is responsible for almost two thirds of all infant
deaths in the neonatal period (ACOG, 2016a).
○ Suffers from respiratory distress
PREMATURE/PRETERM LABOR (PTL)
RISK FACTORS FOR SPONTANEOUS PTL
● History of genital tract colonization, infection, or
instrumentation.
○ Chlamydia, STDs
○ Instrument Assisted Delivery
● Dehydration.
○ Decreased Amniotic Fluid causing the uterus to
contract.
a protein that helps
glue together the
tissues of the
placenta.
● May be released
when there is a
disruption in these
tissues or with
infection.
Fetal Fibronectin
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
● Change in vaginal discharge (watery, mucus, or
bloody).
○ Discharge is normal during pregnancy
○ WOF: Pinkish, reddish or brownish discharge
● Pelvic or lower abdominal pressure.
○ Sign of fetal descent
● If (+) test result,
increase risk for PTL
● If (-) test result, very
low chances of PTL
Fetal Fibronectin (FFN) Test
● Occur when labor lasts less than 3 hours & results in
rapid birth.
○ Abrupt, Sudden Pressure
● Uterine contractions are so strong.
PRECIPITATE LABOR & BIRTH
CAUSES
● Abnormally low resistance in maternal soft tissues
● Abnormally strong uterine contractions
○ Hypertonic Uterine Contraction - contraction
beyond the capacity of the uterus
