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A premature birth, also called a preterm birth, occurs when a baby arrives three or more weeks early – or at less than 37 weeks of gestation. Until recently, doctors have had limited ways to predict which pregnancies may be at risk of delivering early. Today, the PreTRM® Test can provide important information to help predict that risk.

Learn about preterm birth signs and symptoms of premature labor
mother laying on bed while holding her baby up
asian mother holding baby close to her chest

What Is Preterm Birth?

A preterm birth is a delivery that occurs any time before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy, typically three or more weeks before the baby’s due date. While not all babies born early face complications, those who are born earlier generally have more severe complications than those born closer to term. While scientists are not certain of all the causes of preterm birth, they are beginning to understand the risk factors that may contribute to a woman’s risk of delivering early.

Learn more about Preterm Birth
Case Study: The Value of the PreTRM Test Score in Preventing Premature Birth

Dr. Phelps Sandall, MD discusses a 26-year-old patient whose higher risk of premature birth was identified through the PreTRM Test. The ensuing vigilance over her pregnancy prevented a potential tragedy through a preterm birth management strategy. Email: Support@PreTRM.com

OB/GYN explaining the importance of the PreTRM test

What Is the PreTRM® Test?

The PreTRM Test is an innovative blood test that your doctor can order during weeks 18 through 20 of your pregnancy.² The test measures proteins in the blood that can indicate if you are at higher risk of delivering early. The report sent to your doctor will provide information on your individual risk for premature delivery, so you can work together to adjust your treatment plans accordingly.

Check out PreTRM FAQs

How Does the PreTRM Test Work?

Most pregnant women can benefit from the PreTRM Test. There are two easy options to get the PreTRM Test and send in your sample. Talk with your healthcare provider or simply request the PreTRM Test online, and we’ll ship a kit to you.

Request the PreTRM Test

Do I Qualify for the Test?

Most pregnant women are candidates for the PreTRM Test. Your doctor can help you determine if you qualify.

PreTRM can be used to identify your risk of preterm delivery if you:

  • Are 18 years old or older
  • Are pregnant with a single baby (not twins, triplets, or other multiples)
  • Are not currently showing signs of preterm labor
  • Are not on progesterone therapy after the first trimester of your pregnancy
  • The baby has no confirmed or expected genetic condition or disorder that is associated with shortened gestation

To Learn More

Talk to your doctor

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How Do I get the PreTRM Test?

If you want to get your Test from a healthcare provider, speak with them early in your pregnancy. Your sample must be collected between 18 and 20⁶ᐟ⁷ weeks of your pregnancy.

You can skip an in-office visit and expedite the process to get your PreTRM Test by requesting it online. We will ship you a kit, and you can collect your blood sample at home.

Request the PreTRM Test

What Information Is Provided by the PreTRM Test?

The PreTRM Test report is not a positive or negative (yes or no) result but an “individual risk prediction” of having your baby too early. The test result gives you and your doctor a percentage risk score that represents how high your pregnancy’s risk of delivering early. 

  • General risk of preterm birth for all singleton pregnancies: 7.3%
  • Your individualized risk for preterm birth: X% based on the PreTRM test

The report also compares your personal risk for preterm birth to the average risk of all women pregnant with a single baby. For example, a pregnancy with a 22% individualized risk percentage would be three times as likely as average to deliver before 37 weeks.

With the risk information from the PreTRM Test, along with other vital information from your prenatal visits, you and your healthcare provider can personalize your pregnancy care to optimize your treatment plan and offer the best possible care for your baby.

General risk of preterm birth for all singleton pregnancies1

Case Study: Preventing Spontaneous Preterm Birth and Getting to 39 Weeks

Dr. Phelps Sandall, MD discusses how the PreTRM Test helped identify a 35-year-old patient at higher risk for spontaneous preterm birth and helped extend her pregancy to 39 weeks through the use of regular progesterone treatments as part of her preterm birth management strategy. Email: Support@PreTRM.com

A new mom snuggling with her infant

Watch Our Video

Case Study: Preventing Spontaneous Preterm Birth and Getting to 39 Weeks

References

  1. Martin JA, et al. Births: final data for 2013. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2015;64(1):1-65.
  2. A Sera Customer Support team member will help you schedule your blood draw between the first day of your 18th week of pregnancy and the sixth day of your 20th week of pregnancy. That’s a 20-day window between days 126 and 146 of your pregnancy.