Premature Labour

Although uncommon, there are certain factors that can bring about premature labour (defined as labour before 37 weeks gestation). The most common being a defect in hormonal production resulting in low or subnormal progesterone levels. A congenitally short cervix ( length 10-20mm) is also a factor and recent studies have shown that vaginal progesterone given throughout the pregnancy helps to delay the onset of labour. Other factors such as multiple pregnancy, multipara, inadequate nutrition, low lying placenta, medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes all predispose to premature labour. Those who have a threatened miscarriage in the early pregnancy are also at greater risk of premature labour and a case can be made for administering progesterone throughout the pregnancy in such cases