Preterm and Early Term Birth Prevention: Birth after 39 Weeks

Find strategies and resources from services successfully reducing preterm births.

Why is it a Hot Topic?

Preterm birth (PTB) is the single most important cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in the developed world. In collaboration with the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance, WHA is committed to safely lowering the rate of preterm birth and highlighting the importance of pregnancy continuing to 39 weeks whenever possible. WHA is sharing leading work from several member services who have had success in reducing preterm birth including Prof John Newnham who is leading the scene of PTB prevention efforts in Australia.

Recent conversations:

  • Preterm Birth Prevention InitiativeProfessor John Newnham, the Chair of the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance, talks about seven interventions that have significantly reduced the numbers of pre-term births in WA since mid-2014