Scientists have found a higher number of pathogenic bacteria in placentas from women who delivered prematurely supporting the presumption that maternal infection may cause preterm birth -- less than 37 weeks gestation. Contradicting general belief traces of the bacteria were found in healthy placentas as well. These bacteria have been previously reported as opportunistic intra-uterine -- within the uterus -- pathogens and are highly correlated with the incidence of premature birth and miscarriage. We did observe a higher number of known pathogenic bacteria such as Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma in the placenta of women who had a preterm spontaneous birth which
