Preterm labour management focuses on identifying early labour, assessing the health of the mother and baby, and providing timely treatment when birth may occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Early evaluation can help doctors determine whether labour can be safely delayed and whether specialised neonatal care may be required.
How Is Preterm Labour Managed?
Management depends on the gestational age, cervical changes, contractions, membrane status, fetal condition, and overall maternal health. Assessment may include physical examination, fetal monitoring, ultrasound, and other investigations as clinically appropriate.
When appropriate, antenatal corticosteroids may be given to help accelerate fetal lung and organ maturity before an anticipated preterm birth. Tocolytic medicines may sometimes be used for short-term delay of labour when clinically suitable, allowing time for corticosteroids to take effect or for transfer to a facility with neonatal intensive care capabilities.
For pregnancies at risk of very early preterm birth, magnesium sulfate may be considered for fetal neuroprotection. If preterm premature rupture of membranes or infection is involved, additional treatment may be required based on the clinical situation