Childbirth depends not just on hormones, but on the uterus’s ability to sense physical force. Scientists found that pressure and stretch sensors in uterine muscles and surrounding nerves work together ...

Researchers have developed a new imaging tool, called electromyometrial imaging (EMMI), to create real-time, three-dimensional images and maps of contractions during labor. The non-invasive imaging ...

Contractions and dilation (opening) of the cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered preterm, or premature, labor. A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks after the first day of the last ...

Labor or childbirth can be described as a fetus and placenta delivered from the uterus via the vagina. Having a successful labor can be dependent on three factors, including maternal effort and ...

Here's what happens during each stage of labor – from how long each stage lasts to what you might feel. Labor happens in three stages — early labor and dilation, pushing and delivery, and finally, ...

There's a big learning curve when it comes to pregnancy. For many expecting parents, just thinking about contractions can be nerve-wracking because they are associated with pain and the start of labor ...

Delivering a baby is hard work. Aptly named labor, the process before childbirth can be physically and emotionally taxing — and even painful. While no two patients experience labor and delivery ...

There may be twists and turns as your labor unfolds. But knowing what you might encounter can help you navigate this exciting but potentially challenging experience. Credit...Shawna X Supported by By ...

If you see the phrase “precipitous labor” written on a medical chart, it might not mean much to you. But chances are, you know someone who’s experienced it. We’ve all heard stories of people who have ...