9. Principles of Labour And Delivery Flashcards
What is the first phase of labour
Contractions: Regular Uterine activity
What is the Second Phase of Labour?
Progressive effacement (shortening) and dilation (opening) of the cervix
What is the last stage of labour
Expulsion of the products of conception POC
What is the embryonic origin of the uterus
Paramesonephric ducts
What is the weight of the uterus in the nulliparous woman
60-80g
What are the four parts of the uterus
Fundus, body, isthmus and cervix
What are the three payers of the uterus
Endometrium
Myometrium
Peritoneum
Describe the layers of the muscle fibres of the myometrium of the uterus
Deep- circular layer
Superficial- Longitudinal layer
( majority of the fibres run obliquely, in an interlacing fashion)
Define Immune Tolerance
It is the process by which both cell mediated and, to a lesser extent, humoral immunity are reduced
What is the result of failure of Immune Tolerance
Pregnancy loss
Pre eclampsia
What causes Anatomical Tolerance in Pregnancy
Progesterone produced by the placenta, causes relaxation of the uterine muscle
NB// a hollow viscera which becomes occluded and distended tends to automatically contract in an effort to clear the obstruction….the progesterone secretion prevents this from happening in pregnancy until full term
The Gravid Uterus increases in length from 7-8cm to ______
36-40cm
The Gravid Uterus increases in weight from 60g-80g to _______
850-950g
List six main changes in the gravid uterus
Increases in length Increases in weight General thickening of the ligaments supporting the uterus Blood vessels enlarged Gap junctions develop Hyperplasia and hypertrophy
What is the significance of the development of gap junction in the Gravid Uterus
They allow changes in membrane potential to spread rapidly from one cell to another facilitating depolarization and synchronous contractions
What is the function of the functional linkage of the myometrial cells during labour
Allows the pacemaker activity of the uterine fundus to promote the co ordinated, fundal dominant contractions necessary for labour
Which hormones are thought to be the triggering event in initiating labour
Corticotrophin releasing hormone CRH
Cortisol
Which structures produce CRH and Cortisol to initiate labour
The fetus and the placenta
Which hormones are termed the placental clock
CRH (corticotrophin Releasing Hormone)
Cortisol
How does CRH and Cortisol release from fetus and placenta affect estrogen release from the placenta
Increases production of estrogen
What is the effect of estrogen on the uterine muscle during labour
Reduces the inhibition of the uterine muscle by progesterone
List five effects of Estrogen on uterus in preparation for labour
Reduces the inhibition of uterine muscle by progesterone
Upregulates oxytocin receptors
Increases the number of gap junctions between smooth muscle cell
Increases actin and myosin which are the proteins needed for contraction
It also increases the production of prostaglandins
What is the effect of estrogen on actin and myosin in uterus in prep for labour
Increases them
What is the effect of estrogen on oxytocin receptors in the uterus in prep for labour
Upregulation
Which hormone is responsible for “ripening” of the cervix (softening and shortening )
Prostaglandins
Prostaglandins causes an increase in production and activity of which enzymes
Collagenase Elastase Hyaluronidase Matrix Metalloproyeinases
What is the effect of increases in Collagenase, Elastase, Hyaluronidase, Matrix, Metalloproyeinases on the uterus
Ripens the cervix
Softening and shortening of the cervix
Which hormone is mainly responsible for uterine contractions
Oxytocin