Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- history of preterm labor, cervical trauma, or induced abortion
- multifetal pregnancy and presence of maternal infection
- uterine contractions
- preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM)
- advanced cervical dilation
- cervical length <2 cm
Other diagnostic factors
- increased maternal or fetal heart rate
- nonspecific lower abdominal or back pain
- fever
- vaginal bleeding
Risk factors
- previous preterm labor
- previous cervical trauma
- previous induced abortion
- maternal infections
- multifetal pregnancies
- short cervical length
- positive fetal fibronectin test
- preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM)
- fetal abnormalities
- smoking
- body mass index (BMI) <19 kg/m²
- social factors and ethnicity
- fertility treatment
- polyhydramnios
- domestic violence
- poor dental hygiene
- late-stage cesarean section
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- nonstress cardiotocogram
- tocography
- transvaginal ultrasound of the cervix
- cervico-vaginal swab for fetal fibronectin
- CBC
- CRP
- urine dipstick
- urine microscopy, culture, and sensitivity
- high vaginal/rectal culture
Tests to consider
- microscopy of vaginal fluid
- Kleihauer blood test
- urine toxicology screen
- insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) test
- placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1)
Treatment algorithm
threatened preterm labor (TPTL)
preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM)
high risk of imminent delivery without PPROM
Contributors
Authors
Andrew H. Shennan, MD, FRCOG
Professor of Obstetrics
King's College London
London
UK
Disclosures
AHS has given talks for Hologic, the manufacturer of fetal fibronectin, and has received funds to his institute for research. AHS is an author of several references cited in this topic.
Joanna C. Girling, MA, MRCP, FRCOG
Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
West Middlesex University Hospital
London
UK
Disclosures
JCG declares that she has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Jo Trinder, MD
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
St Michael's Maternity Wing
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Bristol
UK
Disclosures
JT has accepted honoraria for speaking to groups of midwives and doctors about miscarriage management.
Kirsty Dundas, MBChB, DCH, FRCOG
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Honorary Senior Lecturer
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
UK
Disclosures
KD declares that she has no competing interests.
Deidre Lyell, MD
Assistant Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Stanford University
Stanford
CA
Disclosures
DL declares that she has no competing interests.
References
Key articles
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Preterm labour and birth. Jun 2022 [internet publication].Full text
Shennan AH, Story L, Royal College of Obstetricians, Gynaecologists. Cervical cerclage: green-top guideline no. 75. BJOG. 2022 Jun;129(7):1178-210.Full text Abstract
EPPPIC Group. Evaluating Progestogens for Preventing Preterm birth International Collaborative (EPPPIC): meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomised controlled trials. Lancet. 2021 Mar 27;397(10280):1183-94.Full text Abstract
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Care of women presenting with suspected preterm prelabour rupture of membranes from 24+0 weeks of gestation. Green-top guideline no. 73. Jun 2019 [internet publication].Full text
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Committee Opinion-Obstetrics. ACOG committee opinion no. 713: antenatal corticosteroid therapy for fetal maturation. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Aug;130(2):e102-9.Full text Abstract
Reference articles
A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
Differentials
- Placental abruption
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Ovarian cyst
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Guideline no. 430: diagnosis and management of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes
- Practice bulletin no. 231: multifetal gestations twin, triplet, and higher-order multifetal pregnancies
More GuidelinesPatient information
Premature labor
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