PTL

Medical abbreviation · Obstetrics & Gynecology

PTL stands for Preterm labor, an obstetrics & gynecology abbreviation.

Regular uterine contractions causing cervical change before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Treatment aims to delay delivery long enough to give corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity and magnesium sulfate for fetal brain protection before 32 weeks.

Example: PTL at 30 weeks, cervix 3 cm dilated; betamethasone, magnesium, nifedipine; NICU consulted.

Usage notes

Tocolytic drugs such as nifedipine and indomethacin generally buy about 48 hours. Fetal fibronectin testing and cervical length measurement help predict who will deliver soon. Many women with preterm contractions do not progress to delivery. Group B strep prophylaxis is started if status is unknown.

Related abbreviations

More obstetrics & gynecology abbreviations

• POP – Pelvic organ prolapse
• PP – Postpartum
• PPH – Postpartum hemorrhage
• PPROM – Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes
• PROM – Prelabor rupture of membranes
• PTB – Preterm birth
• ROM – Rupture of membranes
• SAB – Spontaneous abortion
• SGA – Small for gestational age
• SROM – Spontaneous rupture of membranes
• TAH – Total abdominal hysterectomy
• TOLAC – Trial of labor after cesarean

See all 89 obstetrics & gynecology abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.