Approximately 15 million babies are born too soon every year, and over 1 million of them die. Those that survive sometimes need ongoing medical care throughout their lives into adulthood. The emotional burden for families and their babies is substantial, and healthcare costs extend into billions every year. Nearly half of all preterm births happen because the microbes that usually maintain a healthy environment in the vagina become diminished or replaced by unhealthy microbes. This leads to inflammation in the vagina, which triggers preterm birth.
The aim of this research study is to identify whether providing healthy microbes in an oral probiotic supplement during pregnancy improves vaginal health and reduces preterm birth in women at high risk of having a preterm baby.