Preterm labour complicates 3e4% 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.