“…A number of risk factors are involved in the development of spontaneous PTB,
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which are detailed as follows:
- Reproductive history of previous spontaneous preterm birth and use of assisted reproductive technology.
- Antepartum bleeding, rupture of membranes, cervical insufficiency, uterine anomalies, fibroids and excisional cervical treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
- Fetal/uterine factors of multifetal gestation, fetal anomaly and polyhydramnios.
- Infection due to chorioamnionitits, bacteruria, periodontal disease, current bacterial vaginosis.
- Demographic factors of low socioeconomic status, single marital status, low level of education, First Nations ethnicity, or maternal age < 15 years or > 35 years.
- Lifestyle issues including cigarette smoking, illicit drug use, stress and physical abuse.
- Inadequate prenatal care, low pre‐pregnancy weight and poor weight gain in pregnancy.
…”