What to Do in Case of a Threatened Preterm Birth
Once the risk of preterm birth has been identified, the most critical step is to manage the process with the right interventions at the right time. In modern medicine today, a range of preventive, delaying, and protective approaches are successfully applied for pregnant women at risk of preterm birth. The goal is to safeguard the health of both mother and baby and prolong the pregnancy to as close to full term as possible.
Treatment Options: What Is Applied and When?
Progesterone Therapy
In pregnancies with a history of preterm birth or where a short cervical length has been detected, vaginal progesterone administration can help suppress uterine contractions and delay cervical ripening.
- Most effective between 16–36 weeks of gestation.
- Shown to be beneficial in both high-risk and low-risk groups.
Cervical Cerclage (Cervical Stitch)
If the cervix is significantly shortened and/or beginning to dilate, a stitch is placed around the cervix to mechanically close the birth canal.
- Recommended especially for women who have experienced painless pregnancy loss between 14–24 weeks in previous pregnancies.
- Usually performed between 12–24 weeks of gestation.
Tocolytic (Contraction-Suppressing) Medications
When active preterm labor is imminent, various medications are used to slow down uterine contractions:
- Agents such as nifedipine, atosiban, and magnesium sulfate can delay delivery for about 48 hours.
- This time window allows for the administration of steroids to accelerate fetal lung development.
Corticosteroid Administration
When preterm birth becomes unavoidable, steroids administered intramuscularly to the mother between 24–34 weeks help accelerate the development of the baby’s lungs, brain, and digestive system.
- Reduces the risk of respiratory distress, brain hemorrhage, and intestinal complications in preterm infants.
- Typically used alongside tocolytic therapy.
Antibiotic Use and Infection Control
Intrauterine infections play a significant role in many preterm birth cases. Therefore:
- Antibiotics are prescribed for patients with premature rupture of membranes (water breaking).
- In certain situations, the presence of infection may justify inducing early delivery to protect the mother and baby.
Next Steps After Early Diagnosis
Once treatment begins, close monitoring is the key to assessing its effectiveness.
At our clinic, this process includes:
- Weekly cervical length assessments
- Monitoring contraction frequency
- Tracking fetal growth and amniotic fluid levels
- Bed rest and psychological support, when indicated
Every case of threatened preterm labor is managed through a personalized protocol, developed based on the mother’s medical history, gestational age, previous pregnancy outcomes, current findings, and laboratory/ultrasound data.
Our Clinical Approach: Scientific Yet Compassionate
The risk of preterm birth is not only a medical challenge but also an emotionally demanding experience. At our clinic, we manage this process through:
- A multidisciplinary medical team,
- Individually tailored protocols,
- Pregnancy-focused psychological counseling.
Our ultimate goal is not merely to delay birth—but to ensure a healthy delivery for both mother and baby under the best possible conditions.
