Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in the UK and globally. Management of preterm infants requires specialised care and use of strategies to reduce both immediate and long-term risks. 

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• identify the causes, risk factors, and signs of preterm labour, and take appropriate action
• understand referral pathways and apply preventive measures to reduce the risk of preterm birth
• provide optimal care for premature infants at birth and in the immediate postnatal period
• work collaboratively with obstetric and neonatal teams to support women at high risk of preterm birth and parents of premature infants

Study time: 35 minutes

This module aligns with the following NMC Standards of proficiency for midwives:

Domain 4: Additional care for women and newborn infants with complications

Domain 6: The midwife as skilled practitioner