1.6

Question 0

Towards the end of pregnancy the concentration of progesterone in the blood falls, while concentration of oestrogen

Answer 0

Rises

Question 1

Birth (parturition) has 3 stages:

Answer 1

Dilation of cervix

Birth of baby

Expulsion of the placenta

Question 2

Increase in oestrogen stimulates

Answer 2

Uterine contractions

Question 3

Oestrogen also makes the myometrium more sensitive to

Answer 3

Oxytocin

Question 4

Oxytocin is secreted by the pituitary gland and stimulates the

Answer 4

Contraction of the myometrium

Question 5

Labour is used to describe the

Answer 5

Regular occurrence of these uterine contractions

Question 6

Relaxin is also produced late in pregnancy this softens the cervix and the makes the pelvis

Answer 6

More flexible - birth = easier

Question 7

The pressure of the foetus’ head against the cervix stimulates

Answer 7

Stretch receptors

Question 8

Stretch receptors send impulses to the hypothalamus in the brain which causes the pituitary gland to

Answer 8

Secrete more oxytocin – an example of positive feedback

Question 9

As more oxytocin is released from the pituitary gland the uterus contracts more - increasing the

Answer 9

Pressure of the foetus’ head on the cervix which stimulates the production of more oxytocin

Question 10

During pregnancy, progesterone and oestrogen stimulate the growth of

Answer 10

mammary glands

Question 11

During pregnancy the high concentration of protest one inhibits the production of

Answer 11

Prolactin

Question 12

The fall in progesterone at the end of pregnancy means that prolactin is

Answer 12

No longer inhibited - now stimulates milk production

Question 13

LACTATION1)First formed milk =

Answer 13

Colostrum

Question 14

LACTATION 2)Colostrum is high in antibodies which gives some

Answer 14

Passive immunity to the newborn baby

Question 15

LACTATION 3)As the baby suckles, the tissue around the nipple is stimulated. This causes nerve impulses to pass to the

Answer 15

Hypothalamus of the mother’s brain

- oxytocin is secreted

Question 16

LACTATION 4) secretion of oxytocin causes the muscle in the walls of the milk ducts to contact

Answer 16

Squeezing milk out of the nipple

Question 17

LACTATION 5) also causes the pituitary gland to secrete more prolactin, stimulating

Answer 17

The production of more milk

Question 18

Prolactin also inhibits the production of FSH and LH as a result, ovulation is unlikely while a

Answer 18

Mother is breast feeding