First Stage of Labour

Question 1

What do high levels of oestrogen cause uterine muscle fibres to do?

Answer 1

Display oxytocic receptors and form gap junctions with each other

Question 2

What does oestrogen stimulate the placenta to do?

Answer 2

Release prostaglandins that will help the cervix to soften

Question 3

When is a woman said to be in established labour?

Answer 3

When she is experiencing regular, rhythmic contractions and her cervix is at least 4cm dilated

Question 4

What is the cervical dilatation range of the latent phase of labour?

Answer 4

0-4cm

Question 5

Approximately how long does the latent phase of labour last?

Answer 5

6-8 hours

Question 6

What is the cervical dilatation range of the active phase of labour?

Answer 6

4-8cm

Question 7

Approximately how long does the active phase of labour last?

Answer 7

6-12 hours

Question 8

What is the cervical dilatation range of the transitional phase of labour?

Answer 8

8-10cm

Question 9

A cervical dilatation rate of how many centimetres per hour is defined as normal?

Answer 9

0.5cm per hour

Question 10

What is cervical effacement?

Answer 10

The inclusion of the cervical canal into the lower uterine segment

Question 11

What is cervical dilatation?

Answer 11

Process of enlargement of the os uteri to an opening large enough to permit passage of fetus

Question 12

Where do contractions start and in which direction do they spread?

Answer 12

In the fundus near one of the cornua, spread across and downwards

Question 13

What is polarity?

Answer 13

The neuromuscular harmony that prevails between the two segments of the uterus throughout labour

Question 14

Which uterine segment contracts strongly and retracts?

Answer 14

The upper segment

Question 15

Which uterine segment contracts slightly and dilates?

Answer 15

The lower segment

Question 16

How does retraction assist in the progressive expulsion of the fetus?

Answer 16

Upper segment of uterus becomes shorter and thicker and its cavity diminishes

Question 17

Where does the blood in a bloodstained show come from?

Answer 17

Ruptured capillaries in the parietal decidua where the chorion has become detached from the cervix

Question 18

Levels of what maternal hormone rise sharply during the last weeks of pregnancy?

Answer 18

Oestrogen

Question 19

What is the ridge that develops between the upper and lower uterine segments called?

Answer 19

The retraction ring

Question 20

During labour, does the retraction ring rise or descend?

Answer 20

Rise