What does the word labor mean?
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Delivery, childbirth; the process of expulsion of a fetus from the uterus at the normal termination of pregnancy.
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[ Latin] The act of bringing forth a child; parturition. L. is usually divided into three stages, the first ending with the rupture of the membranes, the second with the expulsion of the child, and the third with the expulsion of the placenta. L. may occur at term( i. e., at nine months from the beginning of pregnancy), considerably before this period( Premature 1.), or considerably after it( Postponed 1.). Retention of the fetus beyond term after an ineffectual attempt to expel it constitutes Missed 1. L. may be brought on artificially( Artificial or Induced 1.); and, when initiated, the efforts of nature may be supplemented by instruments( Instrumental 1.). L. may take place with undue rapidity( Precipitate 1.), or be protracted beyond the usual time( Tedious 1.). In the latter case the delay may be due to atony of the uterus( Powerless 1.), to the presence of several fetuses( Twin 1., Multiple1.), to anomalous presentations or positions, or to disproportion between the size of the fetus and of the parturient canal( Obstructed 1.). L. also may be Complicated, as by haemorrhage, eclampsia, etc. L. is also sometimes designated according to the presenting part, as Breech l., Footling l., Head l., etc. Dry l., l. in which the liquor amnii either is absent ar has drained off very early.
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