title: Theories regarding endocrine contributions to the onset of labor.
abstract: A review of the literature on endocrine factors influencing labor is presented. Treated separately are oxytocin, the prostaglandins, the fetus, and estrogen/progesterone. Implications for nursing practice and theory are discussed where appropriate, and the reader is encouraged to think of parturition as a complex interplay of factors.
mesh_terms: D003075:Coitus; D003376:Counseling; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007745:Labor Onset; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D006728:Hormones; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011374:Progesterone; D010121:Oxytocin