WHO recommendation on tocolytic therapy for improving preterm birth outcomes.

Nifedipine is recommended for acute and maintenance tocolytic therapy for women with a high likelihood of preterm birth for the purpose of improving newborn outcomes, when the following conditions are met: Spontaneous preterm labour is suspected or diagnosed; Gestational age is accurately assessed to be between 24 weeks 0 days and 33 weeks 6 days; There is no evidence that tocolysis is contraindicated (such as vaginal bleeding, placental abruption or intrauterine infection); It permits a single course of antenatal corticosteroids to be administered and/or enables transfer of the mother to a facility where, upon birth, the preterm infant can receive adequate care (including resuscitation, kangaroo mother care, thermal care, feeding support, infection treatment and respiratory support including continuous positive airway pressure as needed); Adequate birth care is available (including capacity to recognize and safely manage preterm labour and birth)