Appendix 4

The following is a list of recommended perinatal guidelines required to guide management of the mother delivering preterm and her baby. It is not exhaustive but should act as a starting point for perinatal teams.

• Risk assessment of preterm birth at booking
• Investigation and management of spontaneous onset of preterm labour, preterm premature rupture of the membranes and threatened preterm labour
• Referral pathways
• In utero transfer              
• Neonatal and maternity capacity
• Preparation for PTB including antenatal steroids, magnesium and intrapartum antibiotics
• Management of PTB including mode of delivery, monitoring and optimal cord management including for the extreme preterm infant
• Resuscitation and stabilisation of preterm infants 
• Respiratory management of preterm infants
• Stabilisation and care for a preterm baby requiring intensive care until transfer 
• The care of the extreme preterm infant less than 27 weeks
• Stabilisation of the preterm infant at birth including thermal care
• Palliative care for infants where active care not or no longer appropriate 
• Support for early and ongoing expression of maternal breast milk
• Skin to skin contact
• Investigation and management of early onset sepsis