Abstract:

The research on the characteristics of labor duration in preterm births is crucial for improving perinatal outcomes for both mothers and infants. At present, there is no unified standard for the duration of labor and related management strategies in preterm deliveries. The progression of labor in preterm pregnancies differs from that in term pregnancies. Preterm primiparas often experience an earlier onset of the active phase and a shorter overall labor duration. Preterm labor can categorized in spontaneous preterm birth and iatrogenic preterm birth, but there is currently a lack of data supporting the management of labor curves in women undergoing induced preterm labor. Intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring in preterm infants differs from that in term infants, characterized by a higher baseline fetal heart rate, reduced variability, and less frequent, shorter duration, and lower amplitude accelerations. Umbilical cord clamping practices have shifted from immediate clamping to strategies that emphasize placental transfusion, including delayed umbilical cord clamping and cord milking, with delayed umbilical cord clamping offering greater benefits to preterm infants. Perinatal outcomes in preterm infants are closely related to intrapartum management. Obstetricians should provide individualized monitoring in clinical practice to allow for appropriate clinical assessment and intervention, thereby reducing the incidence of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Key words: Preterm labor, Labor onset, Fetal monitoring, Pregnancy outcome, Umbilical cord clamping