1. A device for prediction of onset of labour comprising a portable assembly of a plurality of recording electrodes, a means for data acquisition, a means for conversion of analogue to digitised data and a display adapted to display this data in terms of one of a small number of discrete results indicative of the state of preparedness for labour, for example in terms of a positive or negative result indicating the preparedness for labour, wherein each electrode comprises a contact surface for application to a subject, the device further comprising data analysing means for analysing the digitised data with reference to prerecorded reference data and/or predetermined reference parameters, the assembly being operatively associated in compact manner.