title: Survey of the management of preterm labour in Australia and New Zealand in 2002.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine current attitudes and practices regarding the suppression of preterm labour among obstetricians in Australia and New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire mailed to all Diplomates, Members and Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in April 2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 813 surveys were returned - 33% (470/1412) of Fellows and Members and 11% (322/2806) of Diplomates. The response rate for Australia was 18.9% (759 of 4019) compared to 27.1% (54 of 199) from New Zealand. Routine suppression of preterm labour was attempted by 79% of respondents, primarily to prolong pregnancy for steroid administration (83%) and/or transfer (74%). The gestation for initiation of suppression ranged from 20 to 37 weeks. Tocolysis was discontinued at 32.9 +/- 2.7 weeks (mean +/- SD), range 24-38 weeks. The first choice drug for tocolysis was the beta-adrenergic group (73%), followed by nifedipine (21%). Maintenance tocolysis was used by 34%. Respondents were asked the percentage of women in whom suppression was attempted that achieved: (i) steroid cover--median 80% (range 10-100); (ii) prolongation of pregnancy > or =7 days--50% (0-100); and (iii) prolongation of pregnancy to term--10% (0-100).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most respondents attempted to suppress preterm labour for steroid administration and/or transfer. However, a wide range of opinions and uncertainty was evident as to the effectiveness of tocolytic therapy in clinical management, the most appropriate drug and drug side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney at Nepean Hospital, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia. CookC@wahs.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Colleen-M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Peek
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D001510:Bed Rest; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011336:Probability; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015145:Tocolysis / Q000379:methods*; D014710:Version, Fetal / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids