What is labor? - Answers Cervical change with regular uterine contractions
What is preterm labor? - Answers Labor occurring between 20 weeks and 36 weeks 6 days
What is preterm birth? - Answers Birth that occurs before 37 weeks gestation
What is low birth weight? - Answers Birth weight ≤ 2500 grams (5.5 lbs)
What is the difference between preterm birth and low birth weight? - Answers Preterm = gestational
age; low birth weight = weight regardless of gestation
What are causes of low birth weight? - Answers Gestational hypertension, poor nutrition, IUGR,
decreased placental perfusion
What is intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)? - Answers Poor fetal growth due to inadequate
nutrients/oxygen
What are types of preterm birth? - Answers Spontaneous and indicated
What is spontaneous preterm birth? - Answers Labor begins on its own
What is indicated preterm birth? - Answers Labor is initiated due to medical reasons (preeclampsia,
growth restriction, cholestasis)
What are causes of preterm labor? - Answers Infection, uterine/placental issues, maternal/fetal
stress
What is the role of cervical length in predicting preterm labor? - Answers Shortened cervix increases
risk; >30 mm = low risk
What is fetal fibronectin (fFN)? - Answers Protein indicating likelihood of labor in next 2-3 weeks if
present
What are warning signs of preterm labor? - Answers Frequent contractions (≤10 min apart), bleeding,
decreased fetal movement
What is the goal of preterm labor management? - Answers Delay birth and improve fetal outcomes
What lifestyle modifications are used in PTL? - Answers Hydration, activity modification, avoid sexual
activity
What is important about bedrest in PTL? - Answers Not supported; should not be routine
What medications are used for preterm labor? - Answers Tocolytics, steroids, antibiotics, magnesium
sulfate
What are tocolytics? - Answers Medications used to suppress uterine contractions (off-label)
What are examples of tocolytics? - Answers Magnesium sulfate, terbutaline, nifedipine (Procardia)
What is nifedipine (Procardia)? - Answers Calcium channel blocker that relaxes uterine muscle
What must be checked before giving terbutaline? - Answers Pulse must be <120 bpm
What is magnesium sulfate used for in preterm labor? - Answers Prevents seizures, neuroprotection,
relaxes uterus
What are antenatal glucocorticoids used for? - Answers Promote fetal lung maturity
What weeks are steroids given? - Answers 24-34 weeks
What are side effects of steroids? - Answers Sleep issues, ↑ blood glucose, ↑ infection risk
What is the role of antibiotics in preterm labor? - Answers Treat/prevent infection
What can dehydration cause in pregnancy? - Answers Preterm labor
What is PROM? - Answers Rupture of membranes before labor at any gestational age
What is PPROM? - Answers Rupture before 37 weeks
What percentage of pregnancies are affected by PPROM? - Answers About 3%
What often precedes PPROM? - Answers Infection
What must be documented with PROM? - Answers Time of rupture
What is the main risk after PROM? - Answers Infection
What happens if membranes rupture ≥32 weeks? - Answers Delivery
What happens if membranes rupture <32 weeks? - Answers Keep baby in utero
What interventions are used for PPROM <32 weeks? - Answers Hospitalization, monitoring, NSTs,
antibiotics, steroids, magnesium
What is chorioamnionitis? - Answers Bacterial infection of the amniotic sac
What are signs of chorioamnionitis? - Answers Maternal fever, fetal tachycardia, uterine tenderness,
foul-smelling fluid
What are neonatal risks of chorioamnionitis? - Answers Pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis,
respiratory distress syndrome