Methods for preventing and/or inhibiting preterm labor in a pregnant subject, such as a human subject, are disclosed according to the invention including administering a therapeutically effective amount of a protein selected from the group consisting of: PIBF1, a fragment or variant thereof; IL-33, a fragment or variant thereof; and a combination of any two or more thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or inhibiting preterm labor in a pregnant subject, such as a human subject, are disclosed according to the invention including a therapeutically effective amount of a protein selected from the group consisting of: PIBF1, a fragment or variant thereof; IL-33, a fragment or variant thereof; and a combination of any two or more thereof.