Current options of prediction of preterm labour.

OBJECTIVE: A summary of current possibilities to adequately determine spontaneous preterm labour. DESIGN: Review. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Charles University in Prague. METHODS: Research of literature and current studies. CONCLUSION: Based on the combination of personal medical history, clinical signs, biomarkers and transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length, it is possible to predict preterm labour. To avoid a major prediction miscalculation, it is necessary to understand and correctly evaluate certain clinical findings. This approach decreases redundant medical intervention and therefore leads to amelioration of perinatal outcome.