Preterm Labor question

Published

I have a question regarding preterm labor. I do plan on asking one of our perinatologists next time I see him, but want some of your opinions. Why is it a woman can have a normal healthy pregnancy one time and a following pregnancy she is admitted for PTL? I had a pt the other night, 32 wks, G2/P1, normal, term, lady partsl delivery of first baby and now on Mag Sulfate for this pregnancy. I found out today the day after I had her she delivered at 32 wks. Her mag level was therapeutic when I had her, tox screen neg. Infant appears normal, just early. What are some possible causes of this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked L&D for 10 years and many times there are no known reasons why this happens. Sometimes it can be an infection, age of mother, illnesses of Mom sometimes not known at time of delivery, anomoly of placenta? :crying2: If we knew why it occured, we maybe could better help prevent it. :rolleyes: Hope her little one does well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

They don't know why! There are so many contributing factors that can cause it, or it just happens on it's own. They are doing a study where I work that is looking for a link between the mom's immune system and PTL (when there are no other factors such as infection, etc.). Should be interesting to hear what it comes out with!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They don't know. There are so many studies right now being conducted in regards to PTL for this very reason. It's distressing, I see it all the time, and it frustrates me so when my pt. asks me "why did this happen?" and I don't have an answer for her. :o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

If they knew, they would be real rich. so many theories abound, but none hold water in the majority of cases. It's unknown for sure WHAT mechanisms lead to NORMAL term labor in women, let alone preterm labor and delivery in others. I had one child at 34 weeks after PROM at 33. I had the other at 38 weeks, having suffered numerous preterm contractions for 9 weeks, but no SROM. Who can say why? I was healthy and normal by all parameters, yet it happened to me 1 out of 2 times. I have also had numerous pregnancy losses, without a satisfactory explanation for T*those*, either (no chromosomal problems, healthy history). So if you hear of who discovers these answers, put me onto them. I want some myself as a mom, as well as OB Nurse! :o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion