What REALLY triggers labour to start?

[Vancouvercat]

Does anyone on here know? Is it even known by scientists?
I guess could be some sort of hormone released - from where though? Placenta? Something from brain (some neurotransmitters that start a cascade?) Something the baby does (like pressing on cervix signals something) or something chemical that baby releases?

I am ignoramous! (did I even spell that word right?)

[Gray's Mommy]

This is the best explaination I can come up with...from another site though
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/...rea=3#hormones

[ACsMom]

I found this:

http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/what-triggers-labor

Not terribly helpful, though! I would love to know the answer right about now!!

[J-Bean]

DDC crashing...but I couldn't resist. When I was having DD1 a few years ago, it was still a very undeveloped area of research and the good old "which came first, the chicken or the egg" in our theory development. There are plenty of things that people say can help "stimulate" labor to begin, but in all, no one knows exactly. Great question!

[gabeyho]

Of all the things we know as humans, this is still one of life's greatest mysteries!

[scarletjane]

Such an interesting question! I have been wondering this too and am supposing it is like most of medicine, in that we may think we have answers or part of the answer, but more likely there is much more that we don't know and perhaps never will. I know that one of the standard "medical" answers is that it is pressure on the cervix that kicks labor into gear (initiated by weight of the baby) and is hence why castor oil can work.

[Neldavi]

Hi, I'm in this DDC but haven't posted since my first trimester .. I'm due on Saturday.

I've read somewhere and heard from one knowledgeable person (but don't ask me for a source because I don't have one ) that the signal comes from the baby. The baby releases some kind of oxytocin stimulating hormone when it's "cooked" all the way. So in premature labor this system obviously isn't working right.

[paxye]

Originally Posted by scarletjane

I know that one of the standard "medical" answers is that it is pressure on the cervix that kicks labor into gear (initiated by weight of the baby) and is hence why castor oil can work.

I have only one labour that this explanation would have worked... the other two were posterior and "floating" when labour started... with one of those two starting with my water breaking...

I am wondering also what the real answer is... will we ever know?

[Faliciagayle]

I haven't read the posted links, but many OBs, MWs, scientists believe the baby itself releases a particular hormone which signals readiness and thus begins labor. I can post a link later