how to avoid preterm labor

fanofanne · November 2011

hello...i am currently almost 17 weeks preggers with twins and scared to death of preterm labor. i have read dr. luke's book, though i confess i don't really follow it. i know that there is no surefire way to avoid pt, but is there any advice you ladies can give? thanks in advance!!!

Kimmy08 · November 2011

I did everything by the book and I still went into PTL at 22 weeks. Other than the obvious things like not over exerting yourself, lifting heavy objects, etc, some women just aren't meant to carry twins to term no matter how hard they try or what they do.

I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you won't have to worry about PTL at all.

violaplayer · November 2011

Unfortunately, there is no magic secret. The obvious mentioned above, as well as staying well hydrated and not smoking.

Lilystar82 · November 2011

I also did everything exactly like my Dr. Told me I still went into PTL at 27 weeks. It just is what it is.

Good Luck with your pregnancy Hope its completely uneventful!

s270453 · November 2011

Rest and WATER, WATER, WATER! Like so much you think your insides are floating!

drgeli · November 2011

I'm currently at 36 weeks, and as much as I'd like to think that I made it this far because of all the things I have done, I do think a lot of it is luck and how your body responds. As others have said, you could do everything right, and still go into PTL, but here are a few things I did to increase my odds:

I followed Dr. Luke's book as best as I could regarding diet. I started slightly underweight, 102 lbs and 5'3". I was able to gain 22 lbs by 20 weeks and am up 55 lbs right now. I tried to gain the most by 28 weeks so I wouldn't feel guilty for eating less in 3rd tri. I drink Ensure Plus combined with whole milk every night, and eat a lot of protein, dairy, and fruit/veggies throughout the day. Prior to 28 weeks, I ate even when I wasn't hungry because I knew I had to. I also take 400 mg of DHA in addition to pre-natal vitamins because I read it helps with pre-term labor (feel free to research on your own) I also really take it easy and never push myself if I don't have energy. I worked 3-4 days a week until 30 weeks and then stopped. Again, I can't claim that this is a recipe for success, but some of these things may have contributed to me getting this far.

Wishing you all the best :-)

Kristen61607 · November 2011

going to an OB that monitors you frequently, water like PP's have said, and if you get put on bedrest, take it VERY seriously!

gekeler6 · November 2011

I followed all of my doctor's advice and my first set of twins were born at 34 weeks. I was put on bedrest and pelvic rest, and I was constantly in and out of the hospital preventing labor. My goal was 34 weeks and we made it! The second set of twins I had I was also on bedrest and pelvic rest and had a very smooth pregnancy, we ended up doing an induction at 38 weeks. I would try not to stress about it and just put faith in your body. Take everything very easy and enjoy your pregnancy and try not to think about having your babies preterm. Medicine and technology has improved so much that if your babies are born early, their chances of survival are high. I didn't start having preterm contractions until about 28 weeks.

mommyof4boys · November 2011

You can't avoid pre-term labor. If it is going to happen it will.

scorch · November 2011

I did nothing that the book told me, because I found it ridiculous. There was no way I could possibly meet the rest requirements because I worked full time. There was no way I could meet the food requirements because I had GD and had to limit my portions sizes. I delivered healthy twins at 38 weeks who both weighed 6#12oz. I guess I got lucky and maybe you will too. But dont let fear of PTL color your whole pregnancy. If it happens then you deal with it then, but stressing about it isnt going to do anything for you and will make your heartburn worse.

lrrb · November 2011

I did everything right, there was zero wrong with my pregnancy and boom my water broke at 33w4d, sometimes there just isn't anything you can do about it. I would try and rest a lot, drink tons of water and eat healthy. Honestly thats about all you can do....and just trust your body. GL sweetie!

snoangel79 · November 2011

I'm scared of this also. I'm actually going out of work at 23 weeks on a personal leave for my own sake (not bed rest but a lot more resting). My job is 90% on my feet (I'm working 20 hours a week only now and it's getting to be too much!) I drink a ton of water, try to rest a lot and my high-risk ob now is doing U/S checks of my cervix every two weeks (last check was 4 long and closed). Trying to give these two the best chance they can have to get over at least 30 weeks.

macchiatto · November 2011

Like everyone said, there are no guarantees but you can try to up your odds of avoiding it by following Dr. Luke's suggestions. I followed a lot of the advice in her book and made it to my scheduled induction at 37w6d. Now, who knows what would've happened if I hadn't; I'm sure much of it is luck but I figured if following her advice is associated with better outcomes, why not try it and see, kwim?

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