Preterm labour can result in the birth of a premature baby.
The closer a baby is born to the due date, the better it is for the baby's health. Premature babies may need to be treated medically in incubators with oxygen supply and special feeding tubes. Causes It is not clearly understood what causes preterm labour but there are certain factors which seem to be closely associated with preterm labour. Preterm labour can happen to any pregnant woman and cannot always be prevented or stopped if it starts. However, there are measures which can be taken to reduce the risk of preterm labour.