title: Ambulatory management of preterm labor.
abstract: The majority of patients with preterm labor will deliver at term, and universal treatment of preterm labor with tocolytics and antenatal corticosteroids results in widespread overtreatment while benefitting a minority of patients. Ambulatory strategies for preventing preterm birth and identifying at-risk patients are discussed. These include consideration of obstetric history, serial cervical length sonography, digital examination, and selective use of biomarker tests. Ambulatory therapies to reduce preterm birth include different formulations of progesterone and cerclage. Optimal use of antenatal corticosteroids is discussed, and a review of ambulatory management strategies for patients who are discharged home after tocolysis is conducted.
authors: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Rincon
authors: Leonardo M R
authors: LM
authors: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000465:Algorithms; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D023802:Cerclage, Cervical; D054791:Cervical Length Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D015145:Tocolysis / Q000379:methods; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D015149:Tocolytic Agents