Premature Labor: Will I Have to Keep Taking Brethine For Preterm Labor?
Two weeks ago, at 28 weeks of pregnancy, I started bleeding and having contractions (my cervix was shortening). I was given a shot of morphine and Seconol, and I'm taking Brethine every six hours. The contractions have drastically lessened, and I am going to my OB twice a week for fetal monitoring. How long I should stay on the Brethine or should I have a trial without it?
Question:Peg Plumbo CNM
Peg Plumbo has been a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) since 1976. She has assisted at over 1,000 births and currently teaches in the... Read more
Any bleeding this late in pregnancy requires evaluation of the placenta for position or possible abruption (separation). I am assuming that you have had ultrasounds which have ruled this out.
Brethine (Terbutaline) is generally continued, if the mother is tolerating it, until the last month when the infant's lungs are mature enough for survival. A drug called betamethazone is also give within 48 hours of anticipated preterm birth to facilitate maturation of the fetal lungs.
Hope this helps and I hope you make it to term.
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