Childbirth is a primarily biomechanical process of physiology, and one that engineers have recently begun to address in a broader fashion. Computational models are being developed to address the biomechanical effects of parturition on both maternal and fetal tissues. Experimental research is being conducted to understand how maternal tissues adapt to intrauterine forces near the onset of labor. All of this research requires an understanding of the forces that are developed through maternal efforts—both uterine contractions and semi-voluntary pushing—and that can be applied by the clinician to assist with the delivery. This work reviews the current state of knowledge regarding forces of labor and delivery, with a focus on macro-level biomechanics.

分娩主要是生理学的生物力学过程，工程师最近开始以更广泛的方式解决这一过程。正在开发计算模型来解决分娩对母体和胎儿组织的生物力学影响。正在进行实验研究以了解母体组织如何适应临产时的宫内压力。所有这些研究都需要了解通过产妇努力产生的力量——子宫收缩和半自愿推动——并且临床医生可以应用这些力量来协助分娩。这项工作回顾了有关劳动力和分娩力的当前知识状态，重点是宏观层面的生物力学。