Probably a stupid question, but what actually sets off labour?

[TallulahBetty]

Looked at my various books and had a quick google, but can't seem to find what exactly happens.

Does the baby decide 'I'm ready now' and set something off? (I know people say 'baby will come when it's ready' but is it actually something in the baby that 'decides'?)

Or is it something in my body which starts it off?

Random I know but just curious... thanks in advance!

I don't think anyone knows, but there is a suggestion that the baby gives off hormones that start labour. I have no idea if that is correct btw!

Then there would be other external reasons as well, such as infections, or a weak cervix, or low waters I guess.

The baby releases a hormone which triggers your cervix to get moving. Yes the baby decides, although some women believe that you can do certain things to make the baby decide quicker.

I was a week late, but I didn't "try" to bring on labour. Just took some raspberry leaf capsules to strengthen the cervix. THe baby will come when it's good and ready.

My ob/gyn said it is one of the final unknowns in medicine and there is a nobel prize on the table for anyone with the definitive answer- just theories at present!

oo i too was wondering about this today OP as I was alternating mouthfuls of pineapple and raspberry leaf tea, rubbing clary sage into my bump and contemplating whether i was quite desperate enough at the moment to request the assistance of my lovely DP..

It must be some kind of hormonal trigger set off by something...! When they induce you, they use an oxytocin drip to make the uterus contract, so I'm thinking along those lines.