Labor is initiated by a complex cascade of hormonal and physical signals between the mother and the developing fetus. As the baby reaches full term, hormonal changes involving estrogen, progesterone, prostaglandins, and oxytocin trigger the uterus to begin contracting. Simultaneously, the cervix softens, thins, and begins to dilate. For many women, labor starts naturally with regular, intensifying contractions or the spontaneous rupture of the amniotic sac (water breaking), signaling that the body is ready for childbirth.
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