What is fetoplacental clock and how does it trigger labor?


According to research, baby and maternal hormones work jointly in bringing about labor. Mother Nature has planned it such that mostly when a baby is ready to be born, at the same time the mother will also be ready emotionally and physically to give birth. The fetal brain and the placenta release CRH (corticotrophin-releasing hormone) alerting the mother and baby that it is time for delivery. This can happen any time between weeks 37 and 42 in a healthy pregnancy. Sometimes the timing is faster and in some others slower. The rate at which the hormone is released is referred as the 'fetoplacental clock'. Research also indicates that fetoplacental clock may alter according to events such as maternal illness or infection. When you are past your due date and labor has not begun it is because your baby is not ready to be born, again because the onset of labor has not been triggered by the fetoplacental clock.