Preterm labour

Question 1

What is preterm labour?

Answer 1

Labour <37 weeks

Question 2

What are the types of preterm labour?

Answer 2

Mild= 32-36
VEry= 28-32
Extreme= 24-28

Question 3

What are the outcomes of babies >34 weeks?

Answer 3

Ling term comparable to normal term

35-36= probably don’t need NICU

Question 4

What are the causes of preterm labour?

Answer 4

Spontaneous

Iatrogenic

Question 5

What are the risk factors for preterm labour?

Answer 5

Multiple pregnancy 
Polyhydramnios 
APH 
Pre-eclampsia 
Infection 
PPROM

Question 6

What is the presentation of preterm labour?

Answer 6

Contractions- hard, non tender uterus

Cervical dilatation

Question 7

What investigations are done for suspected preterm labour?

Answer 7

Abdo and speculum exam
Vaginal discharge for infection and fibronectin
US
CTG

Question 8

What does fibronectin predict?

Answer 8

\+= good predictor of labour in next 2 weeks 
-= probably not in labour

Question 9

What is the management of preterm labour?

Answer 9

Steroids- 2 doses, 24 hours apart to mature lungs, usually dexamethasone
Tocolysis- gives steroids time to work

Question 10

What is a tocolytic?

Answer 10

Labour suppressant

Nifedipine