the world > life > source or principle of life > birth > confinement > be confined [verb (intransitive)] > be in labour > bear down (2)
intransitive. To exert force or pressure on a person or thing; to move something by force (also with adverb); spec. to exert muscular pressure…
intransitive. To contract the abdominal muscles and diaphragm so as to raise the pressure within the abdomen, esp. during labour or defecation. Cf…