Women's Care : Services : Preterm Birth Prevention Program

The Preterm Birth Prevention Program is funded by the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes.

MUSC is pleased to offer a specialized Preterm Birth Prevention Program staffed by board certified specialists in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Certified Nurse Midwifery and sponsored by the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes.  The program is dedicated to the prevention of preterm delivery among high risk women.

Who is potentially at risk for preterm birth?

While some cases of preterm birth occur in pregnancies without any identifiable risk factors, there are several categories of preterm birth risk factors that are listed below.

1) General Risks

• Prior history of preterm birth
• Previous preterm labor treated with medication to allow term delivery
• Previous history of preterm rupture of the membranes
• Previous history of second trimester miscarriage
• Prior pregnancy treated with cerclage placement
• Fetal abnormalities
• First or second trimester vaginal bleeding
• Multiple gestation

2) Anatomical Risks

• Uterine or cervical malformation
• Prior cervical surgery including cone biopsy, laser therapy, or freezing
• Prior cervical trauma including D&C
• Prior uterine surgery
• Large fibroid tumors of the uterus
• Placental abnormalities
• Placental abruption

3) Environmental Risks

• Work fatigue/High stress
• Poor nutritional status
• Poor weight gain
• Dehydration
• Tobacco use
• Cocaine use
• Adolescent pregnancies
• Advanced maternal age pregnancies
• Late or limited prenatal care

4) Infectious Risks

• Vaginal infections
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Urinary tract infections

Prevention services provided by the Preterm Birth Prevention Program

• Preconceptional counseling
• Early prenatal care
• Comprehensive Ultrasonography
• Transvaginal Cervical Ultrasonography
• Fetal Fibronectin

Our Team

Roger Newman, M.D.
Scott Sullivan, M.D.  
Charles Rittenberg, M.D.
Amelia Rowland, RN, CNM