Abstract: Materials and methods for reducing the incidence of preterm birth involving the use of polymeric compositions are provided.

Abstract: A fetal movement recorder instrument for registering perceived fetal movement includes an actuator operated by the maternal patient to indicate a perceived fetal movement by the maternal patient, the relative intensity, date, and time, so as to provide a corresponding actuator output signal. A data log unit receives and records the perceived fetal movement information over a preset counting period. A start/stop count alarm provides a stop count indication when the preset counting period is over, and a display provides a message corresponding to the number of fetal movement counts over a predetermined time. The recorded information is transmitted from the data log/base station to the care provider's location where feedback information may be transmitted back to the base station at the maternal patient location.