Prevention of preterm labour

Preterm labour complicates 3–4% of all pregnancies and its causes are multifactorial. The incidence is rising and it is more common in the economically deprived populations and communities in the rich countries. The recurrence rate is doubled after one previous preterm delivery. Secondary preventive measures have not been shown to be as effective as primary measures. A concerted multidisciplinary effort to eliminate risk factors for inducing preterm labour such as early marriage, smoking, short inter-pregnancy intervals, domestic violence and under nutrition will significantly reduce the incidence while optimisation of medical disorders pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy will result in a reduced incidence.