Medicines that prevent preterm labo

Medicines that prevent preterm labor
Medicines called tocolytics reduce uterine irritability and prevent or stop preterm labor. They do so by relaxing the uterus and stopping the contractions. Some tocolytics can only be given while you are in the hospital. Others can be taken at home.

Tocolytics do have side effects: they can make your heart beat harder or faster than normal and make you feel restless, dizzy, or nervous. Other side effects include headache, feeling warm, or retaining water. Tocolytics can also have some short-term effects on a baby. The usual side effects for the unborn baby are an increase in heart rate and a low blood sugar level. You’ll probably be wearing a fetal monitor so your healthcare team can watch how your baby is affected by the medicine and your contractions.

You must stay in the hospital until the contractions have stopped. It may take a few days to figure out the right dose of medicine to prevent further contractions. Once labor stops, you can begin taking tocolytics by mouth. If the bag of waters hasn’t broken and the oral dose keeps the uterus relaxed and the contractions stop completely, you may be allowed to go home. For some mothers, these trips to the hospital can happen several times before their baby is born.

Medical Care at Home
A home care program can include bed rest, taking tocolytics, and monitoring the activity of your uterus and unborn baby. Total bed rest means you are lying down on your left side and only allowed to get up to go to the bathroom. You will probably wear a belt around your abdomen that senses and records uterine contractions. The belt can send data over the telephone to a nurse. After reviewing the data, the nurse may call and talk with you or call your doctor to let him know how you are doing.

A very important part of home treatment is learning as much as you can about what may be causing your contractions and what you can do to prevent them.