Progesterone may buy extra time for babies at risk of preterm birth

This study looked at whether giving vaginal progesterone to women who had preterm labor (contractions before 37 weeks) could delay delivery and improve baby health. Sixty pregnant women with a single baby between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy took part. After initial treatment to stop contractions, half received daily vaginal progesterone and half received standard care without progesterone. Researchers measured how long the pregnancy continued and the baby's birth weight.