Health professionals play an important role in the prevention of preterm and early term birth.

Early antenatal care

It’s important to undertake an early pregnancy assessment to identify women at risk of preterm and early term birth.

Planned birth at less than 39 weeks gestation should be reserved for medical or obstetric indications. Refer to the Preterm Labour and Birth Prevention (PDF 2.21MB) and the Diagnosis and Management Perinatal Practice Guideline (PDF 1.53MB).

Omega-3 screening

Omega-3 screening should be offered as part of the SA Maternal Serum Antenatal Screening Program (SAMSAS) and supplementation should be recommended for low Omega-3 levels. 

Smoking and vaping

Women who smoke or vape should be provided with appropriate assessment and cessation interventions, including assessment for nicotine replacement therapy. Refer to the Smoking (Tobacco) and Vaping in Pregnancy Perinatal Practice Guideline (PDF 1.22MB).

Mid-pregnancy scan

All women should have the length of their cervix measured at their mid-pregnancy scan (18 to 20 weeks).

Women at high risk of preterm birth should have increased transvaginal cervical length monitoring from 16 to 24 weeks under the supervision of a preterm birth clinic or high-risk obstetric care service. Refer to the Cervical Length (short) and Cerclage Perinatal Practice Guideline (PDF 1.84KB).

Natural vaginal progesterone should be prescribed as soon as a short cervix is detected (less than 25mm on transvaginal ultrasound). If the cervix continues to shorten, pregnant women should be referred to a preterm birth clinic or high-risk obstetric care service for consideration of a cervical cerclage. 

Continuity of care

Wherever possible, women should have the opportunity for continuity of carer (seeing the same or a small group of carers) and/or continuity of care (a coordinated, collaborative approach among all professionals involved), particularly when care is complex.

Evidence shows that women in midwifery-led continuity of care models report higher satisfaction, greater autonomy and choice, and lower stress and anxiety compared to other care models. Refer to the Antenatal Care Routine Care in Normal Pregnancy Perinatal Practice Guideline (PDF 1.53KB).

Consumer and promotional information

Refer pregnant people to the consumer web page and the following resources:  

Pitjantjatjara translated audio

Clinical tools

Sonographer tools and resources

For sonographers and sonologists performing cervical length ultrasounds and escalating care for women with a short cervix.

Perinatal Practice Guidelines relating to preterm and early term birth

There are a number of Perinatal Practice Guidelines that directly relate to preterm and early term birth prevention and management, these are:

Refer to individual Perinatal Practice Guidelines for management of obstetric and medical indications for preterm birth.

Educational videos on preterm and early birth prevention

The SA Health Preterm Birth Prevention Project team hosted a series of educational webinars. Find links to the recordings below: