Final answer:
Oxytocin is primarily responsible for the contractions during labor. It stimulates the muscles in the uterine wall to contract, leading to the expulsion of the baby and placenta.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxytocin is primarily responsible for the contractions during labor. It is a hormone that is secreted by the posterior pituitary and stimulates the muscles in the uterine wall to contract. As labor progresses, the release of oxytocin increases, leading to stronger and more frequent contractions. The contractions are essential for the expulsion of the baby and placenta from the uterus.