Study of Cervix and Inflammation in Preterm Birth Prediction

Preterm birth rate is 7.2% in Quebec, it's risen worldwide in the past decade and it's the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Preterm birth is a major public health problem. Preterm labor leading to preterm birth is difficult to diagnose and prediction of preterm birth is a medical challenge. In the past years, research found that transvaginal ultrasound to assess the cervix of the uterus and vaginal detection of inflammatory protein, specific bacteria and fetal fibronectin can help to detect women at increase risk of preterm delivery. The investigators believe that a combination of these tests can lead to a better prediction of preterm delivery. The investigators want to conduct a study among women judged at increase risk of preterm delivery by their physician (having contractions, modified cervix, past-history of preterm delivery or multiple pregnancy) and assess their cervix by ultrasound and sample their vaginal secretion. The investigators want to analyze the vaginal sampling and look for inflammatory proteins. The objective of this study is to prove the feasibility of this assessment method and elaborate a better predictive test that the investigators can easily use in obstetrics clinics and hospitals.