prevention of preterm birth in pregnant women at risk identified by ultrasound: evaluation of two treatment strategies

Conditions: Early Onset of Delivery Before 37 Weeks

Summary: the preterm birth is considered as a main problem in the modern obstetrics, being the responsible of greatest of 50% neonatal morbimortality and heavy costs. despite the significant medical advances, the rate of prematurity has not declined over the past 40 years and even continues to rise in the developed countries. in order to decrease the prematurity is necessary that two premises: to identify the pregnant women at risk of preterm birth, and dispose of useful measures aimed at prolonging the pregnancy and therefore avoid preterm delivery. the investigators propose a clinical trial with the objective to identify effective strategies to reduce the premature birth (34 weeks and earlier) rate in the population of pregnant women at risk for premature birth, which will be identified by ultrasound during the second trimester of their pregnancy. the investigators intend to compare two accepted strategies: administration of progesterone (vaginally) or the placement of vaginal pessaries. these 2 strategies are affordable, easy to apply, and they present very few maternal-fetal secondary effects.

the preterm birth is considered as a main problem in the modern obstetrics, being the responsible of greatest of 50% neonatal morbimortality and heavy costs. despite the significant medical advances, the rate of prematurity has not declined over the past 40 years and even continues to rise in the developed countries. in order to decrease the prematurity is necessary that two premises: to identify the pregnant women at risk of preterm birth, and dispose of useful measures aimed at prolonging the pregnancy and therefore avoid preterm delivery. since 1990, many published articles describe the sonographic measurement of the cervix from the week 16 as method of population screening to detect women at risk. several studies provide evidence about an inverse relationship between the cervical length and the risk of preterm delivery. for this reason, if there is an effective intervention for patients with cervix short (about \< 25mm), made this measure in the middle of the second term, the investigators could reduce the prematurity. regarding possible therapeutic strategies, recent published data demonstrate the effective of vaginal progesterone and cervical pessary in this population. however, both treatments have never been compared and none of the two strategies are indicated in this population. therefore it results necessary to compare both treatments in order to establish clinical recommendations. the investigators propose a clinical trial to compare two accepted strategies: administration of progesterone (vaginally) or the placement of vaginal pessaries in order to reduce the premature birth (34 weeks and earlier) rate in the population of pregnant women at risk for premature birth, which will be identified by ultrasound during the second trimester of their pregnancy.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * pregnant women with short cervix (=\< 25 mm) identified by use of routine transvaginal ultrasonography at 19-22 weeks of gestation. * single pregnancy * women older than 18 year-old * women sign informed consent according gcp and local legislation * gestational age at randomization between 20+1 and 23+6 weeks. exclusion criteria: * major fetal abnormalities * major uterine abnormalities * placenta praevia during current pregnancy * vaginal bleeding or ruptured membranes in the moment of randomization * cervical cerclage in situ * history of cone biopsy * allergic to peanuts * contraindication for progesterone usage. * active treatment with progesterone at randomization. * history of 3 or more premature labor. * if in the investigator's opinion, there are findings on physical examination, abnormalities in the results of clinical analyzes or other medical factors, social or psycho-social that could negatively influence. * women unable to give the informed consent