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Talking Terbutaline
Preterm Labor Drug Causes Controversy
By Teri Brown
"Preterm labor, however, is when these contractions cause changes of the cervix," Dr. Fink says. "In order for a baby to be born, the process of labor is that strong contractions of the uterine muscle cause thinning and eventual dilation of the uterus' opening, the cervix. Many people confuse preterm contractions (which almost every pregnant woman has) with preterm labor. Some have advocated the use of terbutaline as a longer-term drug to prevent preterm delivery – either in pill form or by way of a continuously dosed pump that delivers medication in liquid form through a needle under the skin."
"For instance, a patient presents to the hospital at 34 weeks gestation for cramping, and is found to be having uterine contractions," Dr. Fink says. "Terbutaline is administered by a subcutaneous [under the skin] injection, and the contractions stop. The patient goes home. Or a patient has frequent episodes of contractions that frighten her and require repeated trips to the hospital for fear of preterm labor; however, her cervix never starts to dilate. Perhaps she will be given an oral form of terbutaline that she may take either on an on-going basis or only when she feels the cramping. If the cramping stops, she can feel reassured. If not, then I recommend she go to the hospital. I think this is a reasonable use of the drug."
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