Care for Women with Preterm Labor: A Comparative : Case Study of Two Cases.

Abstract

     This study employed a comparative descriptive case study approach to examine and compare nursing care for two parturient women with preterm labor who received treatment at the labor and delivery unit of Pueinoi Hospital, Khon Kaen Province, between June 2024 and March 2025. Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns framework was applied for health assessment and nursing care planning.

     The findings revealed that Case Study 1 involved a 31-year-old primigravida at 35+4 weeks of gestation with a history of shift work in a factory, overtime hours, and insufficient rest. She presented to the hospital with uterine contractions occurring over an 8-hour period. Labor inhibition was unsuccessful, and she delivered vaginally a male infant weighing 2,330 grams. Following delivery, the neonate developed fever and poor feeding, and was subsequently diagnosed with early neonatal sepsis. The infant received antibiotic therapy for seven days and was discharged home after clinical improvement. Case Study 2 involved a 26-year-old woman in her third pregnancy at 35+6 weeks of gestation with a history of substance abuse and late antenatal care. She arrived at the hospital with uterine contractions lasting four hours, with the fetal head already crowning upon arrival. Immediate delivery was performed, resulting in the birth of a female infant weighing 2,720 grams who was healthy and vigorous. Both mother and infant were discharged home together to proceed to the network hospital for tubal ligation. The nursing diagnoses identified in both cases demonstrated similarities across the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods, while differing in terms of individual risk factors, complications, and continuity of care requirements.