Final answer:
The statement is True; fetal stress and increased cortisol production are involved in the timing of birth as part of the hormonal changes leading up to labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fetal stress and subsequent cortisol production do play a significant role in the timing of birth, indicating that the statement is True. During the later stages of pregnancy, hormonal changes are crucial in preparing for labor and birth. The anterior pituitary gland secretes increased levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), stimulating the production of cortisol from the adrenal glands. This cortisol plays a part in protein synthesis for the fetus and is also involved in the maturation of fetal organs, including the lungs. As labor approaches, hormonal signals intensify, and the stress experienced by the fetus can increase cortisol levels, which in conjunction with other hormones such as oxytocin, lead to the initiation of labor.