Activity Restriction for Women With Arrested Preterm Labor

to test the hypothesis that activity restriction in women with singleton gestations and with arrested PTL would reduce the rate of PTB.

Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, about 15 million babies are born too soon every year, causing 1.1 million deaths, as well as short- and long-term disability in countless survivors. Preterm labor (PTL) is the final pathway for about 50% of all PTB. Tocolytic agents are drugs that can slow or stop labor contractions in the attempt to delay births preceded by PTL. Primary tocolysis is defined as tocolysis given on initial presentation of women with PTL. In most of these women, PTL stops, but as their risk of PTB remains high, some have advocated use of maintenance tocolysis, i.e. tocolysis after arrested PTL. So far, no maintenance tocolytic agent has been shown to be beneficial in preventing PTB. Some authors have also advocated the use of activity restriction in women with arrested PTL to reduce the risk of PTB. Activity restriction is defined as the following forms of activity restriction: pelvic rest and prohibition of sexual activity, reduction of work and/or non work activity. So far, the benefit of activity restriction in women with arrested PTL is still subject of debate and no Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) has been undertaken. Thus, the aim of this trial is to test the hypothesis that activity restriction in women with singleton gestations and with arrested PTL would reduce the rate of PTB.

Single center, parallel group non-blinded, prospective, interventional non-pharmacologic, no profit, randomized and controlled trial

Women in the intervention group will be recommended activity restriction. Activity restriction is defined as the following forms of activity restriction: pelvic rest and prohibition of sexual activity, reduction of work and/or non work activity. Bed rest will not recommended.

Women in the control group will not receive any reccomandation regarding activity restriction. Bed rest and abstain from sexual intercourse will also not recommended.

Women in the intervention group will be recommended activity restriction. Activity restriction is defined as the following forms of activity restriction: pelvic rest and prohibition of sexual activity, reduction of work and/or non work activity. Bed rest will not recommended.

defined as at least one of the following: necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) grade 3 or higher; respiratory distress syndrome (RDS); bronchopulmonry dysplasia (BPD); retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring therapy; blood-culture proven sepsis; admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); neonatal death;

Inclusion Criteria: singleton gestations; arrested PTL; TVU CL < 25 mm; 18 years to 50 years. Exclusion Criteria: multiple gestations; symptoms of PTL (not arrested PTL); TVU CL ≥ 25mm; premature rupture of amnion and chorion membranes (PROM) at the time of randomization; cerclage in situ at the time of randomization; pessary in situ at the time of randomization; vaginal bleeding at the time of randomization; women who are unconscious, severly ill, mentally handicapped; women under the age of 18 years or over the age of 50 years.