Could this breakthrough help prevent premature birth? Scientists uncover new clues about what triggers labour

Around one in 13 babies in the UK is born prematurely. Now, researchers have discovered a way to potentially help babies stay in the womb for longer.

Closer look of a newborn baby girl's tiny hand holding on to an index finger of an adult in Oslo, Norway.

Getty/Morten Falch Sortland

Published: November 9, 2026 at 1:14 PM

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Every hour, around six babies are born prematurely in the UK, equivalent to approximately one in every 13 births. Now, scientists have uncovered new clues about what triggers labour, in a discovery that could eventually help prevent babies from arriving too soon.

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Researchers at Imperial College London have found that specialised immune cells in the womb may play an important role in triggering labour by producing proteins that help break the waters surrounding a baby.

The findings, funded by charities Borne and Action Medical Research, could help scientists identify new ways to predict and prevent premature birth, although further research is needed before any potential treatments become available.

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What have scientists discovered about premature labour?

The research, led by Dr Victoria Male and her team at Imperial College London, focuses on a newly identified group of immune cells called decidual macrophages, which are found in the lining of the womb during pregnancy.

These cells help regulate important processes within the womb. Scientists are investigating whether they also play a role in initiating labour by promoting inflammation and helping the waters surrounding the baby to break.

Researchers have analysed samples from more than 50 women and discovered that the number of these immune cells increases during labour. Early findings suggest that their numbers may begin building up even before labour starts.

Dr Male says: “We urgently need effective treatments that can help stop premature labour but a major barrier to this is that we do not yet understand how labour is triggered, even when a pregnancy has reached full-term.”

By fully understanding how these cells are involved in triggering labour, this could lead to ways to target them, or some of the molecules they produce, to prevent early labour.

Dr Victoria Male, Imperial College London

The team has also developed a laboratory model that will allow the processes to be studied in greater detail.

While the findings are still at an early stage, understanding how these immune cells behave could eventually help researchers identify biological targets for treatments designed to prevent spontaneous premature birth.

Could the research lead to new ways to prevent pregnancy complications?

The work is also helping scientists understand how the placenta develops during pregnancy, with Dr Male and her team investigating another type of specialised immune cell known as uterine natural killer (uNK1) cells. These cells are thought to play an important role in helping the placenta implant and develop correctly in early pregnancy.

Researchers have discovered that uNK1 cells contain unique granules filled with proteins. They are now identifying these proteins and investigating how they influence placental development.

The placenta is essential for a baby's growth, supplying oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products. If it does not develop or function properly, it can lead to serious complications, including restricted growth and premature birth.

Dr Male says: “We've recently discovered that uNK1 cells contain unique granules that we believe may play an important role in successful placental implantation.”

She adds: “By understanding this process, and why it sometimes goes wrong, we hope to identify new ways to prevent complications caused by placental insufficiency.”

Our findings could ultimately lead to a screening test to identify women at risk of placental insufficiency before or very early in pregnancy.

Dr Victoria Male, Imperial College London

In the longer term, the research could help develop screening tests to identify women at risk of placental insufficiency before or very early in pregnancy. This could allow healthcare teams to offer closer monitoring and earlier intervention where needed.

Why is premature birth research so important?

Premature birth can have serious consequences for babies and their families. Complications of premature birth are the leading cause of death among children under five globally, while babies who survive can face health complications and lifelong developmental challenges.

The research is part of a 10-year partnership between Borne and Action Medical Research. Since 2016, the charities have jointly invested more than £2.1 million in 11 research projects across seven UK research institutions and hospitals.

Their latest announcement comes ahead of World Prematurity Day on 15 November 2026, with the charities launching their Every Week Counts campaign to highlight the importance of understanding and preventing premature birth.

David Badcock, Chief Executive of Borne, says: “One of the biggest barriers to preventing premature birth is that we still don’t fully understand the biological processes that trigger labour, even when pregnancy reaches full-term. Dr Male’s research is helping us piece together that puzzle.”

He adds: “Each discovery gives us another piece of knowledge to build upon, bringing us closer to the tests and treatments that could one day identify pregnancies at risk earlier and prevent babies from being born too soon.”

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While there is still much to learn, researchers hope that a better understanding of what happens inside the womb could eventually lead to new ways to protect pregnancies and give more babies the best possible start in life.

Authors

Serafina Kenny journalist headshot

Serafina KennyDigital Journalist

Serafina Kenny is a Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes news and features and has expertise in health, nutrition, relationships, and history. She has previously written for Business Insider, Women's Health, Stylist, Men's Health US, The i Paper, Dazed, and more. You can contact her with tips and story ideas (or compliments!) at serafina.kenny@immediate.co.uk.

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