Preterm labor, also called premature labor, is the onset of rhythmic uterine contractions that produce cervical change after fetal viability but before fetal maturity. It usually occurs between the 20th and 37th weeks of gestation.
Nursing Care Plans
Management involves suppression of preterm labor when tests show immature fetal pulmonary development, cervical dilation is less than 4 cm and the absence of factors that contraindicate continuation of pregnancy.
The nurse should monitor closely for signs of fetal or maternal distress, and provide comprehensive supportive care for patients with preterm labor.
Here are six (6) nursing care plans and nursing diagnosis for preterm labor:
- Anxiety
- Activity Intolerance
- Risk for Poisoning
- Risk for [Fetal] Injury
- Acute Pain
- Deficient Knowledge
Activity Intolerance
Nursing Diagnosis
- Activity Intolerance
May be related to
- Prolonged physical activity and stress
- Muscle hypersensitivity
Possibly evidenced by
- Continued uterine contractions and/or irritability
- Reduced activity level
Desired Outcomes
- Identify and/or engage in activities appropriate to situation.
- Demonstrate reduction and/or cessation of uterine contractions.
Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
---|---|
Provide comforts measures (e.g., back rubs, changes of position, decreased stimuli in room) | Decreases muscle tension and fatigue and helps promote sense of well-being. |
Explain the reasons of requiring bedrest. Use lateral recumbent (i.e., side-lying position) and decrease activity. | These measures are intended to keep the fetus off the cervix and may enhance uterine perfusion, bedrest may decrease uterine irritability. |
Cluster nursing care: group activities together as much as possible, such as medication administration, vital signs, and assessment. | Promotes longer opportunities for client to rest between interruptions. |
Provide uninterrupted periods for rest and/or sleep. | Helps promote rest, prevent fatigue, and may enhance relaxation. |
Offer diversional activities (e.g., reading, watching TV) | Assist client in coping with decreased activity. |
Assess uterine contractions per protocol. | Reflects effectiveness of and determines need for further interventions. |
See Also
You may also like the following posts and care plans:
- Nursing Care Plan: The Ultimate Guide and Database – the ultimate database of nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions! Get the complete list!
- Nursing Diagnosis: The Complete Guide and List – archive of different nursing diagnoses with their definition, related factors, goals and nursing interventions with rationale.
Maternal and Newborn Care Plans
Nursing care plans related to the care of the pregnant mother and her infant. See care plans for maternity and obstetric nursing:
- Abruptio Placenta| 3 Care Plan
- Cesarean Birth | 10 Care Plans
- Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip | 6 Care Plans
- Dysfunctional Labor (Dystocia) | 4 Care Plans
- Elective Termination | 6 Care Plans
- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus | 4 Care Plans
- Hyperbilirubinemia | 4 Care Plans
- Labor Stages, Induced and Augmented Labor | 36 Care Plans
- Neonatal Sepsis | 5 Care Plans
- Perinatal Loss | 5 Care Plans
- Placenta Previa | 3 Care Plans
- Postpartum Hemorrhage | 8 Care Plans
- Postpartum Thrombophlebitis | 4 Care Plans
- Prenatal Hemorrhage | 7 Care Plans
- Prenatal Substance Dependence/Abuse | 6 Care Plans
- Precipitous Labor | 3 Care Plans
- Pregnancy Induced Hypertension | 6 Care Plans
- Premature Dilation of the Cervix | 3 Care Plans
- Prenatal Infection | 3 Care Plans
- Preterm Labor | 6 Care Plans
- Puerperal Infection | 4 Care Plans