The microbiome is thought to play a role in the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy and
thus may either contribute to or protect from preterm birth. Study of the human microbiome
has been aided by metagenomic sequencing approaches, providing greater insight into the
commensal bacteria that coexist in and on our bodies. The vaginal microbiome has been the
most widely studied, though there have been recent efforts to explore the gut, cervical-
vaginal, placental and oral microbiomes in the further search of etiologies of preterm birth …