A program of uterine activity monitoring and its effect on neonatal morbidity.

In a recent study 34 patients at high risk for preterm delivery who received uterine activity monitoring were compared with 33 similar patients who attempted to detect contractions by palpation. The incidence of preterm delivery was significantly reduced among those using the uterine activity detection device, although all patients in both groups had the same prenatal care and educational intervention. When short-term neonatal morbidity associated with preterm delivery was compared between the two groups, adverse effects decreased significantly among those in the monitored group (p = 0.001). The majority of short-term morbidity in both groups was noted in those delivering preterm and thus was gestational age related. No significant difference was found in neonatal morbidity between the groups when the infants were delivered at less than 37 weeks' gestation. Uterine activity monitoring, which is effective in preventing preterm birth, is also efficacious in decreasing short-term neonatal morbidity.