- Australian scientists have determined a trigger for labour at 40 weeks
- They have a found protein is released to allows the uterus to contract
- Finding could lead to the development of new drugs to induce labour
- The drugs could be used by overweight or obese women and also to prevent premature births
Australian scientists appear to have solved one of the great mysteries of human biology – exactly what triggers labour after about 40 weeks of pregnancy.
They cannot explain how the timing works or predict a child’s birthday with greater accuracy.
But they know that, when it’s time, the body produces a protein, which releases a safety switch that allows the uterus to contract in a way that any stretched muscle should.
Australian scientists have discovered a protein that triggers child birth at about 40 weeks of pregnancy
This could lead to new drugs to induce labour in overweight or obese women, as well as a way to prevent pre-term births, says Professor Shaun Brennecke from the University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital.
‘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,’ said Prof Brennecke, who worked with colleagues at Monash University and the Hunter Medical Research Institute in Newcastle on the project.
The study, which is published in the journal Nature Communications, is aimed at finding alternatives to the dangerous caesarean sections that are common among overweight and obese mothers.
The finding could lead to the development of new drugs to induce labour in overweight or obese women and also to prevent pre-term births
Overweight mothers do not produce enough of the protein molecule to start the chain reaction, said study leader Professor Helena Parkington of Monash University.
‘These women also respond poorly to our current methods of induction.’
The study gives two potential options for improving the labour of obese women, says Prof Brennecke.
There could be an existing drug that can switch off the safety mechanism, or there might be one that increases the amount of protein produced.
A team from Monash University, pictured, worked with a team at Hunter Medical Research Institute in Newcastle on the project
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Beckyb,
Bedfordshire, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
I wish they would tell you what protein it was. Im 2 days overdue and struggling alot. Would be very helpful.
Gary,
Southampton,
1 hour ago
Suki75,
London, United Kingdom,
5 hours ago
Any help to reduce premature births is great news. Not sure how new this find is though as Professor Shennan at St Thomas’ hospital has been checking for the labour protein in pregnant women affected by premature labour for years. He helped me and we now have our little girl.
reidy88,
west midands, United Kingdom,
5 hours ago
i wish they would say what the protein is and where i can get it from.. im currently heavily pregnant, very uncomfortable and just want baby to be here oh and sexy time is definitely off the cards so cant get the protein that way lol
troubled,
londonish, United Kingdom,
5 hours ago
Looking at the picture the little one didn’t feel a thing
gmd77,
London, United Kingdom,
6 hours ago
Someone at the DM has a SERIOUS PREGGO Fetish problem with all these articles and stories…..
Nikki0166,
Liverpool, United Kingdom,
6 hours ago
When I was due to have my son, I had to have an emergency c-section because my bone frame was too small. So not everytime is it down to obesity etc!
Daisy,
Bolton,
1 hour ago
ricardo188,
Edinburgh,
6 hours ago
IT has been explained in the Bible for thousands of years. Just ask Eve.
Julia,
Brussels,
3 hours ago
K. Hop,
west michigan,
6 hours ago
Labor pains??? I think it may have something to do with trying to push a small turkey through a garden hose
Jawakka19,
NY, NY,
7 hours ago
Come on labor isn’t that painful. Women? They exaggerate everything. And Australians are never right
Sockdologizer,
Chemung County, United States,
7 hours ago
This is a little OP but I woke up and got so excited that the Aussies now have their own page here on DM…. YAY! About time….
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