Ways Of Halting Pre-Term Labor

Pre-term labor is labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy. Most of the time simply bedrest (in or out of the hospital) and drinking plenty of fluids will halt labor. If labor starts to dilate and efface the cervix - drugs called terbutaline will help to relax the uterus. If this doesn´t help, an IV of magnesium sulfate will be given - this requires constant monitoring of the fetus and the mother´s blood pressure. If early delivery is imminent, corticosteroids are given to help mature the fetus´s lungs.