Australian scientists have figured out exactly what triggers childbirth at 40 weeks, a discovery that could lead to drugs being developed that would prevent premature births.
Scientists discovered that the body produces a protein, which releases a safety switch, allowing the uterus to contract in a way that any stretched muscle should when it is time for the baby to be born.
Professor Shaun Brennecke from the University of Melbourne and Royal Women's Hospital says that this could lead to drugs that will prevent premature births, and also induce labour. He explained the importance of the discovery:
“For decades, we have been looking at what might start human labour. This is the first clear-cut identification of that.
“Rather than all the hormonal changes which have been talked about in the past, this is the actual switch that starts labour.”
Professor Brennecke explained how overweight women do not produce enough of the protein molecule to start the chain reaction, and respond poorly to current methods of induction.
It is hoped that these potential new drugs will decrease the amount of caesarean sections that are common among overweight mothers.
