The aim of this guideline is to provide evidence-based recommendations on the use of antenatal corticosteroids in women at risk of preterm birth or undergoing caesarean birth at term.

1:  Key Recommendations (00:50)
2: Background and Scope (03:46 )
3: Identification and Assessment of Evidence (06:27)
4: The Benefits of Antenatal Corticosteroids (07:30)
4.1: What are the benefits of corticosteroids in preterm labour and birth (07:35)
4.2 What are the benefits of corticosteroids in planned caesarean birth at term (10:04)
Table 1: Risks and benefits of antenatal corticosteroids to be discussed and offered (16:46)
5: At what gestation should antenatal corticosteroids be discussed and offered (27:03)
6: In what particular circumstances would antenatal corticosteroids be discussed with and offered to women? (34:43)
6.1: Multiple pregnancy (34:54)
6.2 Women with diabetes mellitus (39:03)
6.3 Pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia or antepartum haemorrhage (43:11)
6.4. Preterm, prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) (51:17)
7: What is the optimum dose and route of administration for a course of antenatal corticosteroids? (55:46)
Betamethasone (58:44 )
Dexamethasone (1:01:00)
8: How long after administration is a course of antenatal corticosteroids most effective? (1:05:40)
9: What are the risks associated with the administration of antenatal corticosteroids? (1:17:50)
9.1: What are the risks to the woman? (1:19:00)
9.2: What are the risks to the baby? (1:20:53)
10 - What are the contraindications to the use of antenatal corticosteroids? (1:31:44 )
11 - In what circumstances should an antenatal course of corticosteroids be repeated? (1:33:31)
12. Recommendations for future research (1:37:21)
13. Auditable topics (1:38:37)
Closing Statement (1:39:52)

Green-top Guideline no. 74 Antenatal corticosteroids to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality

This information is for you if you are pregnant and are thinking of travelling by air.

Links to further information are available on the RCOG website: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/air-travel-and-pregnancy/

Air travel and pregnancy

This information is for you if you want to know more about nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or about hyperemesis gravidarum, which is the most severe form of the condition.

Links to further information are available on the RCOG website:https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/pregnancy-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy-and-hyperemesis-gravidarum/

Pregnancy sickness

This information is for you if you have pelvic organ prolapse and want to know more about it.

Links to further information are available on the RCOG website: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/pelvic-organ-prolapse/

Pelvic organ prolapse

The Global Judgement Process - Dr Fiona Clarke FRCOG

Assessments In The O&G Curriculum - Dr Alastair Campbell FRCOG

The Global Judgement Process - Dr Alastair Campbell FRCOG

Assessments- A Trainee’s Perspective - Hannah Pierce

Evidence based information for the public from the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.

Green-top Guideline no. 74 Antenatal corticosteroids to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality

RCOG

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