Researchers shed new light on signals that trigger labor and delivery

In a normal full-term pregnancy, signals from the mature organs of the fetus and the aging placental membranes and placenta prompt the uterus' muscular walls to begin the labor and delivery process. It's still unclear how these signals accomplish this goal or how they reach from the fetal side to the maternal side. A team of researchers has now unlocked key clues in understanding what triggers the birthing process.