One of the most important steps to preventing prematurity is to begin prenatal care as early as possible and to continue prenatal care throughout the pregnancy. This cannot be stressed enough.

Statistics clearly show that early and good prenatal care reduces the chance of a premature birth, having a small baby, and related deaths during delivery and the neonatal period.

Premature labor can sometimes be treated or delayed by a medication that inhibits uterine contractions. Many times, however, attempts to inhibit premature labor are not successful and thus a "cure" for prematurity remains elusive.