Emergent management of the patient in preterm labor

Clinicians who treat PTL should realize that side effects rarely occur when tocolytic medications are properly used. The beneficial effects of tocolytic therapy vastly outweigh the risks associated with their use for the prolongation of gestation. Even a short extension of in utero life for a few days or weeks can significantly and positively affect neonatal survival and long-term outcome. Although the opponents of tocolytic therapy argue that no reduction in the PTB rate has occurred since their introduction, this argument does not consider that the large majority of PTBs are not eligible for tocolytic intervention. If patients with clear indications for tocolysis could be compared with those that were not treated (which most studies have not done), a substantial beneficial effect of tocolytic administration probably would be demonstrated. Based on available data, we consider MgSO4 and terbutaline to be first-line tocolytics. Magnesium is used more often because of its lower side-effect profile. Indomethacin and nifedipine should be reserved for difficult or refractory preterm labor, and should only be used for intervals of < or = 48 hours. We have attempted to present a method of decision analysis which should be followed for every patient who is admitted to the obstetric care unit for a presumptive diagnosis of premature labor. We realize that many of the issues included here are controversial, however, we hope that by developing a decision tree (see Fig. 1), a more complete management scheme will be created and lead to improved care of the patient undergoing premature labor.