Effective tocolytic therapy depends on the ability to make an early diagnosis of preterm labor. This study was designed to assess whether daily ambulatory home monitoring of uterine activity could facilitate early diagnosis of preterm labor. Of 76 patients at high risk for preterm labor who used daily ambulatory tocodynamometry, approximately half developed preterm labor. Evaluation when the diagnosis of preterm labor was first established has shown that in 8% of the patients the cervix was dilated more than 2 cm, shortened to less than 0.5 cm in 23%, and the fetal membranes were intact in all subjects. The same evaluation in 76 nonrandom contemporary controls matched for risk factors, maternal age, and parity has shown that more than 50% had a cervix dilated more than 2 cm, 38% had a cervix shorter than 0.5 cm, and 24% had rupture of the fetal membranes. Ultimately, 88% of the monitored patients and 59% of controls delivered at term. Comparisons between these groups indicate that intermittent home tocodynamometry may indeed be useful in making the early diagnosis of preterm labor.
preterm labor ambulatory uterine activity monitoring, home tocodynamometry preterm labor detection, early diagnosis preterm labor tocolytic therapy, ambulatory uterine contraction monitoring high risk pregnancy, Katz Gill Newman preterm labor home monitoring, cervical dilation preterm labor early detection, preterm birth prevention uterine activity surveillance, high risk pregnancy home uterine monitoring outcomes, tocodynamometry preterm labor diagnosis sensitivity, preterm labor cervical changes membrane rupture prevention
Cite this article
Katz, M., Gill, P. J., & Newman, R. B. (1986). Detection of preterm labor by ambulatory monitoring of uterine activity: a preliminary report. Obstetrics and gynecology, 68(6), 773-778.
Katz M, Gill PJ, Newman RB. Detection of preterm labor by ambulatory monitoring of uterine activity: a preliminary report. Obstet Gynecol. 1986;68(6):773-778.
Katz, M., et al. "Detection of preterm labor by ambulatory monitoring of uterine activity: a preliminary report." Obstetrics and gynecology, vol. 68, no. 6, 1986, pp. 773-778.
Keywords
Ambulatory Care, Female, Humans, Monitoring, Physiologic, Obstetric Labor, Premature/diagnosis/physiopathology/prevention & Control, Pregnancy, Recurrence, Time Factors, Uterine Contraction
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