Preterm labor: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if you have:

   • Heavy vaginal bleeding
   • Severe or constant abdominal pain
   • An urge to push or a feeling that birth is happening
   • An umbilical cord or part of the baby visible at the vagina
   • Fainting, severe weakness, or difficulty breathing

   Call emergency services, avoid eating or drinking, and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Before 37 weeks, contact your maternity unit or obstetric service urgently if you have regular contractions, period-like cramps, new pelvic pressure, a persistent backache, vaginal bleeding, or watery fluid leaking from the vagina.

   Also seek prompt assessment if your baby is moving less than usual.

   Do not wait for your next routine appointment.

   These symptoms may have causes other than labor, but they need assessment.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Preterm labor. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.