Provided are compositions and methods for use for prolonging pregnancy. The methods involve administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of a composition that contains a compound which is capable of specifically binding to an alpha2delta subunit of a voltage-gated calcium channel, such as gabapentin, pregabalin, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof The composition is administered such that pregnancy is prolonged to by reducing, stopping, preventing and/or preventing recurrence of preterm labor during a human pregnancy. Also provides are articles of manufacture that have packaging containing one or a combination of compounds that are capable of specifically binding an alpha2delta subunit of a voltage-gated calcium channel. The compound is provided in an amount sufficient for alleviating and/or preventing preterm labor in a pregnant human female. The packaging comprises printed material, the printed material providing an indication that the pharmaceutical composition is for use in the alleviating or preventing of preterm labor and/or for prolonging pregnancy.
