Labor Enabler

What sets off labour when a baby is ready to be delivered has long been a mystery, but now it seems that the immune system pulls the trigger. The uterus appears to start contracting after immune cells transfer energy to its muscle cells via tiny tubes. ⁠
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“By understanding all the steps along the road, we’re getting closer to identifying therapeutics for preventing preterm birth,” says Stephen Lye at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada.⁠
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Lye and his colleagues previously found that, towards the end of pregnancy, the human uterus releases signalling molecules called cytokines and chemokines into the bloodstream. These usher immune cells called monocytes from the blood into the uterus. The monocytes accumulate in the muscle tissue of the uterus and turn into other immune cells called macrophages.⁠
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In the latest study, the team investigated the role of these macrophages by incubating them with muscle cells from uterus biopsies collected from pregnant women undergoing Caesarean sections at full term. “Remarkably, we found that the macrophages made these little tube-like structures that attached to the muscle cells,” says Lye.⁠
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Even more remarkably, the researchers could see the macrophages sending mitochondria through these tiny tubes into the muscle cells. “In the images we took, you can see tons and tons of these mitochondria passing into the muscle cells,” says Lye.⁠
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Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2588577-immune-cells-donate-their-mitochondria-to-womb-muscle-to-kick-start-birth/
Image: An illustration of a macrophage immune cell releasing proteins called cytokines, a process that may be involved in initiating childbirth⁠
SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

What is the Hawthrone Effect and why is it important?

The Hawthorne Effect is the theory that the effect of an observer or evaluator inherently increases productivity or outcomes. A highly debated study conducted at Hawthrone Electrical showed that the novelty of being research subjects and the increased attention from observation could lead to temporary increases in workers' productivity and performance.

Whether you agree with all the info collectively known as The Hawthrone Effect, it is not a stretch to suggest that observation and evaluation change outcomes.

Why is this important?

Studies show merely having a doula in your room increases birth satisfaction, decreases surgical intervention rates, decreases the need for pitocin and epidurals.

Is this the Hawthrone Effect in Action?

Perhaps your care team acts differently or perhaps it is you who changes? Either way - it has always seems to me that the Hawthrone Effect was involoved here!!!

When it comes to advocating for maternal health, the data you use matters, and so does how you use it.

"Maternal mortality," "pregnancy-associated mortality," and "pregnancy-related mortality" are not the same thing. Each term has a distinct definition, data source, and role in advocacy, and they should never be used interchangeably.

In this new blog post, Samantha Berg, MPH, breaks down what each term means, where the data comes from, and how advocates and clinicians can use the right data, accurately and effectively to make the case for better maternal health policies.

🔗 Read the full post: smfm.org/news/understanding-maternal-mortality-data-and-terminology-as-an-advocacy-tool

A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Key Maternal Outcomes:

More vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.

Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.

Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes

Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.

In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).

Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/