Abstract: A device for prediction of onset of labor comprises a portable assembly of a plurality of recording electrodes (3) and optionally a reference electrode (4), a means for data acquisition (1), a means for conversion of analogue to digitised data and a display (5) adapted to display this data in terms of one of a small number of discrete results indicative of the state of preparedness for labor, wherein each electrode (3) comprises a contact surface for application to a subject, and in particular to an abdominal and/or vaginal surface of a subject, the device further comprising data analysing means (1) for analysing the digitised data with reference to pre-recorded reference data and/or predetermined reference parameters.