Final answer:
The medical term for rapid labor is precipitate labor, which is distinguished by a swift progression through the stages of labor and rapid delivery, sometimes within a few hours.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term for rapid labor is precipitate labor. Labor typically progresses through three stages: dilation, birth, and afterbirth. Precipitate labor is characterized by labor that progresses unusually quickly, often resulting in the delivery of the baby within a few hours or even less, as contrasted with more typical labor durations. It often requires less pushing and may not have the typical gradual increase in contraction intensity. While this may seem ideal, precipitate labor can be associated with risks such as a higher chance of injury to both the mother and baby due to the rapid delivery.