October 2019: the review date for recommendation 1.3.1 was updated to show it had been amended in 2019 without an evidence review.
Preterm Labour and Birth
NICE Guideline, No. 25
Authors
National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health (UK).Excerpt
This guideline reviews the evidence for the care of women who present with signs and symptoms of preterm labour and those who are scheduled to have a preterm birth. It also reviews how preterm birth can be optimally diagnosed in symptomatic women, given that many women thought to be in preterm labour when clinically assessed will not deliver preterm. Optimal diagnosis can facilitate transfer to a place where appropriate neonatal intensive care can be provided, a strategy known to improve rates of survival for the baby. Additional areas that will be covered by the guidance (such as information needs for women who presents with signs and symptoms of preterm labour) are outlined in the guideline scope.
This guideline does not cover who should and should not have medically indicated preterm delivery, nor diagnostic or predictive tests in asymptomatic women. These issues have been reviewed in other NICE guidelines (Diabetes in Pregnancy, Hypertensive Disease in Pregnancy and Antenatal Care) or will be covered in the NICE guideline on High Risk Intrapartum Care.
Disclaimer: Healthcare professionals are expected to take NICE clinical guidelines fully into account when exercising their clinical judgement. However, the guidance does not override the responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of each patient, in consultation with the patient and/or their guardian or carer.