Described herein are methods for treating preterm labor, stopping labor prior to Cesarean delivery, preventing preterm labor, or controlling the timing of parturition by administering a chemical compound, such as a muscarinic receptor antagonist preferably a M, receptor antagonist, or a β-3 adrenergic agonist. Also described are methods for treating preterm labor, stopping labor preparatory to Cesarean delivers', preventing preterm labor, or controlling the timing of parturition by administering an effective amount of transdermal stimulation, posterior tibial nerve stimulation or another form of non-invasive or invasive neuromodulatton, unstimulated or stimulated acupuncture, magnetic field therapy, or vibratory stimulation. These methods may be practiced individually, in combination with each other, or in combination with known tocolytic methods or medications.
