Preterm birth is something many parents worry about- but how much do we really understand about why it happens and how to prevent it? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski, a leading researcher in maternal and infant health, to explore how our understanding of preterm birth has evolved—and where the science is headed.
We discuss what current research tells us about risk, screening, and prevention, including the evolving conversation around progesterone and what it means for patients today. Dr. Jelliffe-Pawlowski also shares insights into emerging tools and biomarkers that may help identify risk earlier, as well as the broader environmental, social, and systemic factors that play a significant role in outcomes.
This conversation offers both clarity and compassion- helping parents understand what is within their control, what isn’t, and where the future of care is moving.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How our understanding of preterm birth has changed in recent years
- What current evidence supports for prevention—and where uncertainty remains
- The evolving role of progesterone in clinical care
- How preterm birth risk is assessed and monitored
- Emerging tools and biomarkers for earlier detection
- Lifestyle, environmental, and systemic contributors to risk
- Racial and socioeconomic disparities in preterm birth outcomes
- What parents can realistically focus on (and where to release responsibility)
- Signs and patterns that may support earlier intervention
- What’s giving researchers hope right now
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About Dr. Jelliffe-Pawlowski:
Dr. Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski is an Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and a leading researcher in maternal and infant health. She has held senior roles at the UCSF School of Medicine and now serves as a Professor at NYU, with a focus on understanding and preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth.
She is the founder of the UCSF HOPE Research Consortium and a principal investigator on multiple large-scale studies, including the HOPE and PROMPT studies. Her work centers on developing innovative tools and tests, such as blood-based biomarkers and predictive algorithms, to better identify and prevent risks like preterm birth and preeclampsia.
Dr. Jelliffe-Pawlowski’s research has been widely published and funded by organizations including the NIH, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the March of Dimes. She has also served as an advisor on national and international initiatives focused on improving pregnancy and infant outcomes, with a particular emphasis on addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities.
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