Giving Birth Flashcards
define parturition
the changing from a pregnant state to a non pregnant state
define labour
the physiological process by which a baby is expelled from the uterus
define delivery
the method of expulsion of the foetus
what happens in the first stage of labour
there is the creation of the birth canal
what makes up the birth canal
bony part - pelvis
soft tissue part = cervix, vagina and perineum
what is the latent stage of labour
when there is slow cervical dilation and softening
what is the active stage of labour
faster rate of contractions and full cervical dilation occurs
what is cervical ripening
where the cervix becomes softer and shorter due to the break down of connective tissue and a larger amount of water present
what hormones contribute to cervical ripening
prostaglandins, oestrogen and relaxin
what is the role of prostaglandins in labour
they trigger cervical ripening and cause uterine contractions
what is the role of oxytocin in labour
initiates uterine contractions
where is oxytocin released from
the posterior pituitary gland
what does progesterone do in labour
inhibits contractions
what allows the levels of prostaglandins and oxytocin to rise
a fall in the progesterone levels
how may labour be induced
giving artificial prostaglandins
also give synthetic oxytocin or anti-progesterone agents
what happens to the uterine muscle after it contracts
it retracts so doesn’t go back to its original size - this way the uterine muscle gradually becomes smaller
what methods can be used to help in labour
Caesarean section
forceps and vacuum extraction
what happens in stage 2 of labour
this is where the baby is expelled through the birth canal
what passive actions of the baby asset stage 2 of labour
the baby moves its head sideways to the transverse position
what active actions are there to move the baby in stage 2 of labour
uterine contractions rotate the head and shoulders
what is stage 3 of labour
expulsion of the placenta
what causes placenta expulsion
uterine contractions
what mechanism prevents postpartum haemorrhage
contraction of the uterus compresses the blood vessels to prevent blood flow
what causes milk production
suckling causes prolactin to be produced which causes milk production
