FDA/IRB approved but hospital administration vetoed the study fearing litigation of a preterm birth though the electrical uterine pacemaker/EI is not the cause.

An electrical-inhibition (EI) uterine pacemaker device similar to an electrical heart pacemaker delivers a weak electrical current to the human uterus during active preterm labor to rapidly and safely inhibit the unwanted premature uterine contractions and possibly a preterm birth.

Electrical intervention (EI) uses bipolar, constant-current (1-20 mA), square-wave pulses in 20% duty cycles. Women in active preterm labor have an electrode catheter placed into the posterior fornix of the vaginal canal. The EI current is given up to 80 minutes while monitoring tocodynamometric (toco) contractions and adjunct electrohysterographic (EHG) activity while continuously monitoring maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate and electrocardiogram (fECG). The study includes a pre-EI control period (C1); the EI period, when a 10-second current burst is delivered only during a contraction; and a post-EI control period (C2). The whole study will take a maximum of two hours.

The uterine toco contraction frequency and adjunct EHG electrical activity are analyzed for changes caused by EI. Changes in maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate and fECG will determine EI side-effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• between 24 to 34 weeks pregnant with a singleton gestation;

• in preterm labor as defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics,78 as follows:

  • persistent uterine contractions (4 every 20 minutes or 8 every 60 minutes)

  • And any one or more of the following:

    • Documented cervical change
    • > 1cm cervical dilatation and progressing
    • > 80% cervical effacement

• anticipate a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (NSVD).

• at least 18 years of age

• signed a written Informed Consent Document

• willing and able to comply with study requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe preeclampsia
• severe abruption placenta
• rupture of amniotic membranes
• frank chorioamnionitis
• fetal death
• fetal anomaly incompatible with life
• severe fetal growth restriction (EFW <5%)
• mature fetal lung studies
• maternal cardiac arrhythmias
• a permanent cardiac pacemaker
• a fetal cardiac arrhythmia
• contraindication for tocolysis