Nifedipine Tocolysis for Preterm Labour

Preterm labour creates a timing problem: birth may be approaching, but a short delay can allow antenatal corticosteroids to be administered and can permit transfer to a centre with the required maternal or neonatal resources. The usual goal is about 48 hours, not permanent suppression of labour. That delay is useful only when neither the mother nor the fetus requires immediate delivery. Nifedipine is the preferred tocolytic for suspected or diagnosed spontaneous preterm labour from 24+0 to 33+6 weeks when the safety screen is reassuring. The nurse's central decision is therefore not simply whether contractions are present; it is whether delaying birth remains safer than proceeding with delivery.