Preterm Labour

Preterm labour is a syndrome with multiple aetiologies and is the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. The risk of preterm labour can be predicted from past history, ultrasound measurement of cervical length and detection of fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretions. Cervical cerclage may reduce the risk in highly selected cases. Progesterone reduces the risk in women at high risk and tocolytic drugs may delay birth in a minority of women with genuine contractions, but neonatal benefit is not proven with either treatment.