Labor, false
Intermittent non-productive muscular contractions of the womb (uterus) during pregnancy, most commonly in the last two months before full term. These contractions are non-productive in the sense that they do not produce any flattening (effacement) or dilation (opening up) of the cervix.
It is often said that false contractions are for “practice,” for getting the woman ready for true labor, but this is pure speculation since there is no convincing evidence that these contractions aid in the delivery of the baby in any way.
An episode of false labor can surprise and concern a pregnant woman, especially when she experiences these contractions for the first time. But, by definition, these contractions are of limited duration and do not indicate the onset of active labor.
Read Also:
- Laboratory
A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals and some medications. Also known as lab.
- Laboratory, Jackson
The premiere place for mouse genetics and the largest mammalian genetic research facility in the world. Many of the types of mice used in medical research originated at the laboratory which is in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine. The Jackson Laboratory was founded in 1929 by Dr. Clarence Cook Little, a geneticist, as […]
- Labra
The plural of labrum, a ring of fibrocartilage (fibrous cartilage) around the edge of the articular (joint) surface of a bone. In Latin, “labrum” means “lip.” The term is generally used to designate a lip, edge, or brim.
- Labrose
Thick-lipped or large-lipped. Having thick or large lips. From the Latin labrosus, from labrum meaning lip.
- Labrum
labra. The glenoid labrum is a ring of fibrocartilage that runs around the cavity of the scapula (wingbone) in which the head of the humerus (the bone in the upper arm) fits. The labrum deepens this cavity (the glenoid cavity) and effectively increases the surface of the shoulder joint. Injuries to the glenoid labrum can […]