Evaluation of the efforts in prenatal care for the prevention of prematurity

: A retrospective analysis was done in 341 singleton premature deliveries to assess the practised activities in antenatal care for the prevention of premature delivery. This analysis, expressed in terms of adequacy revealed that 56% were adequate whereas 23% were conditionally adequate and 21% were inadequate. Clinically these activities were reflected in suppression of uterine contractions (80%/57%/40%-effective tocolysis), achieved prolongation of pregnancy (25d/8d/2d) and a lowered rate of premature delivery before the 32nd week of gestation (17%/31%/33%), respectively. A prospective study depending on these results (n = 450) done in 4 centers for antenatal care (under constant supervision to keep the respective recommended activities) showed a significant reduction in the rate of premature delivery compared to a similar control group (n = 458) in the year 1988. Simultaneously, we could demonstrate the influence of patient explanation and the growing patient satisfaction which resulted in reduction of premature delivery.