Preterm Labor Care Guide

1) Why treatment is needed
If a baby is born too early, the lungs, brain, and other organs may not be ready, which can cause health problems.
Treatment for preterm labor helps give the baby more time to grow, especially the lungs, and lowers the chance of complications.
During this time, the mother should rest. Medicine and steroid injections may be given if needed.

2) Baby’s health and hospital stay by pregnancy weeks

• 28–31 weeks: Babies usually survive, but they often need intensive care because of breathing problems, bleeding in the brain, or infections.

• 32–33 weeks: Babies generally do well, but many still need NICU care for breathing issues, eye problems, or trouble keeping body temperature and blood sugar stable.

• 34–36 weeks: Most babies adjust well. Some may still need short treatment for breathing, jaundice, or temperature control, but the risks are much lower.

3) Minimum goal: 34 weeks
By 34 weeks, the baby’s lungs are more developed. After this point, the risks from medicine for the mother may be greater than the risks of early birth.
That’s why the first goal is to keep the pregnancy at least until 34 weeks.

4) Maximum goal: 36 weeks
After 36 weeks, the baby is almost full-term. In most cases, doctors will allow labor if it starts naturally, because it is usually safe.

5) How treatment is done

• Medicine to calm contractions

• Steroid shots to help the baby’s lungs

• Rest and limiting daily activities

6) When to move to a larger hospital
Transfer to a higher-level hospital may be needed if:

• You are under 35 weeks and contractions don’t stop or the cervix keeps progressing

• The baby shows signs of stress (slow growth, low amniotic fluid, or abnormal heartbeat)

• The mother has serious conditions (severe high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or lung problems)

• In twin or triplet pregnancies

• The baby is expected to need NICU care after birth