Table 1.
Demographic details, obstetric characteristics and risk factors for preterm birth
| Characteristic | No (%) or mean (SD), n=73 |
| Ethnicity | |
| European | 36 (49.3) |
| Māori | 7 (9.6) |
| Pacific | 5 (6.8) |
| Asian | 11 (15.1) |
| Indian | 9 (12.3) |
| Other | 5 (6.8) |
| Age (years) | |
| Mean | 34.0 (5.1) |
| Range | 22–45 |
| Body mass index (kg/m2)* | |
| Mean | 26.3 (6.4) |
| Range | 19–57 |
| Current smoker | 5 (6.8) |
| Has a current partner | 72 (98.6) |
| Previous diagnosis of a mental health condition (non-exclusive)† | |
| Depression | 10 (13.7) |
| Postnatal depression | 4 (5.5) |
| Generalised anxiety disorder | 2 (2.7) |
| Panic disorder | 1 (1.4) |
| Social anxiety disorder | 1 (1.4) |
| Post-traumatic spectrum disorder | 3 (4.1) |
| None | 58 (79.4) |
| Currently taking medication for a mental health condition | 4 (5.5) |
| Currently under the care of a psychiatrist/psychologist | 1 (1.4) |
| Nulliparous | 16 (21.9) |
| Previous stillbirth or neonatal death ≥20+0 weeks | 22 (30.1) |
| Current twin pregnancy | 1 (1.4) |
| Reasons for preterm birth clinic referral (non-exclusive) | |
| Previous spontaneous preterm birth/PPROM (24+0 to 36+0 weeks)‡ | 30 (41.1) |
| Previous second trimester loss (16+0 to 23+6 weeks) | 23 (31.5) |
| Previous extensive cervical surgery§ | 21 (28.8) |
| Congenital uterine anomaly | 1 (1.4) |
| Short cervix in current pregnancy <25 mm | 5 (6.8) |
| ≥2 surgical terminations and/or other uterine instrumentations | 14 (19.2) |
| Other risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth | 4 (5.5) |
| Multiple reasons for referral to the preterm birth clinic | 23 (31.5) |
*Missing data n=2.
†Self-reported.
‡Includes survivors born at 23 weeks of gestation.
§LLETZ with depth of excision ≥10 mm or >1 procedure, or knife cone biopsy.
LLETZ, large loop excision of the transformation zone; PPROM, prelabour premature rupture of membranes.