The number of responsible health care practitioners providing care for pregnant women with acute onset of symptoms of premature onset of labor is registered along with time from arrival at the hospital to medical assessment and treatment is commenced. Differences between patients treated by the two groups of midwives are compared over a period of 6 months. During this period all patients with symptoms of premature onset of labor are included, of which only a small proportion are admitted for further examinations and treatment. The vast majority are expected to be scheduled for ambulatory follow-up.