Tag: Early labor

The term "latent period" can describe dramatically different processes in health, from a temporary viral dormancy to the start of labor contractions. What happens during the latent period involves a critical, yet often unnoticed, series of internal biological events that precede more visible or infectious stages.

In obstetrics, the latent stage of labor is often the longest phase, sometimes lasting for days. The phrase "what does the latent stage mean" is also relevant in other medical fields, such as infectious diseases, and describes a period of preparation or dormancy before active symptoms appear.