Scientists at the University of Melbournes Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Mercy Hospital for Women are close to developing the worlds first simple bedside test to accurately predict early labour. The affordable, painless and reliable test could be taken at just 24 weeks into the pregnancy, giving doctors a clear indication of risk of pre-term birth within days, or even weeks. The test will most likely take the form of a vaginal swab, administered by a doctor or nurse, and could be taken at multiple points during the pregnancy. Obstetrician Dr Megan Di Quinzio is leading the project. Her lab houses the worlds largest biobank of cervicovaginal fluid, donated by more than 3500 pregnant women. Dr Harry Georgiou, at Mercy Hospital for Women and the Royal Womens Hospital, is the senior scientist on the project and says pre-term babies are also very expensive to care for. Dr Georgiou spoke to Sotiris Hatzimanolis.
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