Objectives: This study identified the effects of stress and related factors on pregnant women in preterm labor. Methods: A survey was conducted on 100 pregnant women in preterm labor in their 20~36 weeks stage of pregnancy, hospitalized in three university hospitals in Daejeon city, South Korea between April and October 2008. Data about general characteristics, marriage or family factors, obstetrical factors, and stress were collected and analyzed by statistical methods including t-test, ANOVA,

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... Pearson correlation, and multiple liner regression analysis. Results: It was found that, out of the general characteristics, economic status was statistically significant (p=0.010). Among marriage or family factors, higher stress levels appeared when there were no other children and if the husband was the only family member (p=0.000). Out of the obstetrical factors, the health status during pregnancy showed notable influence on early labor stress (p=0.000). The stress of preterm labor was correlated with pregnancy-related stress (stress caused by the spouse, stress caused by the baby, stress caused by pregnancy). In multivariate analysis, the factors that influence the stress of preterm labor were the family members and spouse stress. Conclusions: The support provided by family members residing with the pregnant woman and the management of spouse stress were important in controlling the stress levels of pregnant women in preterm labor. Therefore, professionals looking after hospitalized pregnant women in preterm labor should conduct a wide-spectrum evaluation and provide education as well as biological and psychological interventions of stress from sources including the spouse and other family members.