Ambulatory Management of Preterm Labor

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Abstract
Premature births, between 20 and 37 weeks' gestation, are the single greatest cause of perinatal mortality, after congenital anomalies, in infants born in developed countries. Of the infants who survive, many experience long-term consequences of their prematurity, such as developmental delay, visual or hearing impairment, chronic lung disease, and cerebral palsy.1 As the discipline of neonatology has evolved, great progress has been made in decreasing the postnatal complications of prematurity. Unfortunately, despite aggressive therapies in antepartum management, the incidence of premature birth has remained stable at 10-15%.2 Approximately two thirds of these are spontaneous preterm deliveries secondary to preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of the membranes. The remainder are indicated premature deliveries that follow medical or obstetric disorders that place the mother or fetus at risk; prevention of these deliveries is concentrated on the prevention/treatment of the underlying condition.3 This article focuses on spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) and its management in the outpatient setting.