What discharge teaching do you provide regarding signs of preterm labor?

The recommendation to report contractions, lower back pain, or pelvic pressure is essential discharge teaching for signs of preterm labor. These symptoms are significant as they can indicate that the body is preparing for labor before the 37-week mark, which is considered full term. Educating patients on this is crucial because early identification of these symptoms can lead to timely medical interventions that may help prolong the pregnancy and improve outcomes for both the mother and baby. Recognizing this triad of symptoms allows for prompt evaluation and management, which is key in a clinical setting.

Monitoring fetal movement, while important in later stages of pregnancy to ensure the baby's wellbeing, is not specifically indicative of preterm labor and thus does not take priority in this context. Similarly, while limiting physical activity and increasing fluid intake may be beneficial for various reasons during pregnancy, they aren’t direct actions to take when a woman suspects she may be experiencing early signs of labor. These measures might play a role in overall pregnancy health, but they don’t address the immediate need to recognize and report potential preterm labor symptoms.