Antenatal Risk Assessment for Preterm Birth: Summary Guidance for Healthcare Providers

AbstractThis chapter serves as a summary for healthcare providers for the five key areas of guidance relevant to pregnancy care for preterm birth. First of all, brief evidence statements are covered for the five areas: demographics and patient history, pregnancy dating, infection, nutrition and alcohol, tobacco and other substance use. This is followed by a section on risk assessment and recommended interventions. Although those areas may be routinely enquired about during antenatal booking and registration in most contexts, in this chapter we are highlighting the way this information can be used to help to identify the risk of preterm birth.