Preterm labor

Background

• Defined as labor before 37 weeks (uterine ctx and cervical change)
• Increased risks to child depending on age of fetus
  • Cerebral palsy, poor lung development, cognitive delay, etc
• Can be triggered by maternal infx, stress, HTN, uncontrolled DM

Clinical Presentation

• Similar to term labor
  • Uterine contractions q 10 min (may be irregular)
  • New onset of vaginal mucus, blood, pink discharge, amniotic fluid
  • Low back ache, vaginal pressure

Differential Diagnosis

• Preterm Labor
• Placental abruption
• Placenta previa
• Vasa previa
• Uterine rupture
• Vaginal trauma

Diagnosis

• Do NOT perform digital exam in patients who present with vaginal bleeding when >20 weeks pregnant
• Start with ultrasound to assess position of cervix and r/o placenta previa
• Swabs for fetal fibernectin, Group B strep should also precede digital exam
• Proceed with digital exam if placental previa unlikely, and digital exam is urgently needed to assist patient care, such as in fetal HR decels

Management

• Fetal Heart Monitor
• U/S to assess placental position / fetal position
• Digital exam to assess cervical thickness, effacement, rupture of membranes
• CBC, Chem, Coags, U/A w/ culture, Utox (cocaine increases risk of abruption)

• Cervical length >30mm - Labor less likely
  • Observation of 6 hours might be appropriate

• Cervical length 20-30mm - Increased risk for preterm labor
  • Fetal fibernetin result can assist, if over 50ng/ml manage labor actively

• Cervical length <20mm - labor very likely
  • Manage actively