Biomaterial Database

[The onset of human labor]. 1984

P Lopes, and M F Lerat

The authors reviewed the literature in order to try to work out the different mechanisms that are responsible for labour starting. A role seems to be played by the decidua of the uterus, by the placenta and by the fetal membranes as well as the very important role of prostaglandin synthesis. It does seem as though there is no single factor that is important for starting labour. If we knew more about the physiology of human labour it would perhaps be easier to control premature labour.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007743	Labor, Obstetric	The repetitive uterine contraction during childbirth which is associated with the progressive dilation of the uterine cervix (CERVIX UTERI). Successful labor results in the expulsion of the FETUS and PLACENTA. Obstetric labor can be spontaneous or induced (LABOR, INDUCED).	Obstetric Labor
D007745	Labor Onset	The beginning of true OBSTETRIC LABOR which is characterized by the cyclic uterine contractions of increasing frequency, duration, and strength causing CERVICAL DILATATION to begin (LABOR STAGE, FIRST ).	Labor Onsets,Onset, Labor,Onsets, Labor
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011453	Prostaglandins	A group of compounds derived from unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, via the cyclooxygenase pathway. They are extremely potent mediators of a diverse group of physiological processes.	Prostaglandin,Prostanoid,Prostanoids
D005260	Female		Females
D005333	Fetus	The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN.	Fetal Structures,Fetal Tissue,Fetuses,Mummified Fetus,Retained Fetus,Fetal Structure,Fetal Tissues,Fetus, Mummified,Fetus, Retained,Structure, Fetal,Structures, Fetal,Tissue, Fetal,Tissues, Fetal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014590	Uterine Contraction	Contraction of the UTERINE MUSCLE.	Myometrial Contraction,Contraction, Myometrial,Contraction, Uterine,Contractions, Myometrial,Contractions, Uterine,Myometrial Contractions,Uterine Contractions