Preterm labour and birth

Quality statements

Statement 1 Pregnant women at increased risk of preterm labour are given information about the potential signs and symptoms.

Statement 2 Women who have had a previous preterm birth or loss and have a cervical length of 25 mm or less measured between 16+0 and 24+0 weeks of pregnancy are offered a choice of either prophylactic vaginal progesterone or prophylactic cervical cerclage.

Statement 3 Women having a planned preterm birth are given information about the risks and potential outcomes.

Statement 4 Women between 26+0 and 33+6 weeks of pregnancy who have intact membranes and are in suspected or diagnosed preterm labour are offered tocolysis.

Statement 5 Women between 24+0 and 33+6 weeks of pregnancy who are in suspected, diagnosed or established preterm labour, are having a planned preterm birth or have preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (P-PROM) are offered maternal corticosteroids.

Statement 6 Women between 24+0 and 29+6 weeks of pregnancy who are in established preterm labour or having a planned preterm birth within 24 hours are offered magnesium sulfate.