Preterm labour and birth

Excerpt

This guideline covers the care of women at increased risk of, or with symptoms and signs of, preterm labour (before 37 weeks), and women having a planned preterm birth. It aims to reduce the risks of preterm birth for the baby and describes treatments to prevent or delay early labour and birth.

In this guideline we use the terms ‘woman’ or ‘mother’ throughout. These should be taken to include people who do not identify as women but are pregnant or have given birth.

Who is it for?:

1. Healthcare professionals who care for women at increased risk of or with symptoms and signs of preterm labour and women having a planned preterm birth

2. Commissioners and providers of maternity services

3. Women at increased risk of or with symptoms and signs of preterm labour and women having a planned preterm birth, and their families and carers