Maintenance Gabapentin to Prolong Pregnancy.

Effect of Maintenance Gabapentin Therapy on the Rate of Premature Birth in Women With Preterm Labor After Receiving Tocolysis.

This is a pilot study to evaluate the tolerability and effects of maintenance gabapentin therapy on the rate of premature birth in women who have had preterm labor.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Healthy 18-45 year old female with singleton pregnancy, 20-34 weeks gestation, without ruptured membranes.
2. Preterm labor defined as regular uterine contractions of at least 6/hour for ≥ 1 hour with ≥ 1cm of cervical dilation or ≤ 2.5cm cervical length or any documented cervical change from the initial pelvic exam.
3. Cervical dilation not more than 4cm.
4. Initiation of a tocolytic agent (e.g. magnesium sulfate, nifedipine, indomethacin) within the previous 72 hours.
5. Pregnancy not conceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) due to the known higher rates of congenital defects associated with this procedure.30
6. No placenta praevia or abruptio placentae or cervical cerclage.
7. No intra-uterine growth restriction or non-reassuring fetal status.
8. No known serious fetal malformations.
9. No chorioamnionitis or medical/psychiatric/substance abuse comorbidity that may complicate the pregnancy or interfere with the subject's ability to comply with study procedures in the opinion of Dr. Guttuso or the subject's obstetrician.
10. No history of suicide attempt. No suicidal thoughts over past 6 months.
11. Not currently receiving gabapentin, pregabalin, progesterone or a known teratogenic medication and no known allergy to gabapentin therapy.