National Program Considerably Reduces Preterm Births Across Australia
Sydney, Australia – A world-first national program aimed at preventing preterm birth has successfully lowered the rate of early deliveries by approximately 4,000 per year, according to researchers. The initiative, rolled out across Australia, focuses on proactive clinical strategies to identify and support women at risk of delivering before 39 weeks gestation.
The program’s success marks a significant step forward in improving outcomes for babies born prematurely, who face a higher risk of physical disability, learning difficulties, and other health challenges. Professor Matt Newnham, who began the work as an obstetrician in Perth in the 1980s, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the achievement.”This has been my career-long project and I started it and I still run it, but I’m surrounded by wonderful people all over the country who really have put their shoulder to the wheel to make it work,” he said.
Key strategies implemented include refraining from planned deliveries before 39 weeks without medical justification,measuring cervical length during mid-pregnancy scans,and utilizing vaginal progesterone for women with short cervixes or a history of spontaneous preterm birth. The program also emphasizes support for women who smoke, offering access to quitline, and promoting continuity of care with a known midwife.
“I think the other really important thing that obstetricians have taken from this is that we must not plan to deliver babies before 39 weeks if there isn’t a good reason to do it,” explained Nisha Knot.
While celebrating the program’s success, Dr. Khot emphasized the need for continued research, particularly regarding births before 32 weeks gestation. “We certainly know that babies that are born at less than 32 weeks are more likely to have … physical disability, learning difficulties, other issues throughout their lifetime,” she stated.
Clinical strategies used in the program:
* No pregnancy to be ended until at least 39 weeks unless there is medical justification
* Measurement of cervix length at all mid-pregnancy morphology scans
* Use of natural vaginal progesterone if the cervix is less than 25mm
* If the cervix continues to shorten, surgical cerclage should be considered
* Use of vaginal progesterone if there is a history of spontaneous preterm birth
* women who smoke should be offered Quitline support
* Pregnant individuals to access continuity of care from a known midwife where possible
