Preterm Labour

Question 1

What alternative transport consideration should be made for patients in pre-term labour?

Answer 1

Consider transporting semi-prone with hips elevated over folded towels to take pressure off the amniotic sac.

Question 2

What drugs are used to suppress pre-term labour?

Answer 2

Tocolytics, but are contraindicated in APH and hypertension associated with pre-eclampsia.

Question 3

If doing an IHT for a patient in pre-term labour, what drugs and doses might ALS paramedics be required to administer?

Answer 3

Nifedipine - can rpt after 30mins if cxns persist

GTN patch - placed on abdo, can consult for a 2nd patch after 1hr if cxns persist.

Question 4

If preterm labour, and birth not imminent with a patient <34 weeks, what intervention can be consulted for?

Answer 4

GTN 50mg applied to the abdomen.

Consult for a further 50mg after 1hr if cxns persist.

Question 5

If preterm labour and birth not imminent in a patient ≥34 weeks, what is the Mx?

Answer 5

Basic care, reassurance.