Variation in management of women with threatened preterm labour

Spontaneous preterm delivery is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, but there is little consensus on the best way to manage women with signs and symptoms of preterm labour. We conducted a survey of all 198 consultant-led maternity units in the UK to establish management of women presenting with threatened preterm labour (April–July, 2014). We contacted a consultant obstetrician in each unit (labour ward lead consultant, preterm labour special interest consultant or clinical director) and asked them, or a deputy, to complete an online survey about their hospital protocols. Consultants from 133 of 198 (67.2%) consultant-led obstetrics units responded: 59.4% (79/133) with neonatal intensive care facilities, 21.1% (28/133) with high dependency facilities and 19.5% (26/133) with special care facilities. There were 126/133 (94.7%) units that used one or more …