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
what causes the release of breast milk
oxytocin
when is oxytocin produced
due to suckling, hearing a baby cry, seeing a baby
what inhibits oxytocin production
stress
what does oxytocin do
cause the myoepithelial cells surrounding the mammary glands to contract to release the breast milk
how does breast milk vary over time
firstly starts very watery then later on contains more iron and fats
what are the protective functions of breast milk
- lactoferrin prevents E.coli proliferation
- encourage normal flora development
- IgA passed on for passive immunity
what is the post partum period
the time between delivery and 6 weeks post natal
what is primary post partum haemorrhage
loss of 500ml of blood immediately after giving birth
what prevents post partum haemorrhage
contraction of the uterus to compress blood vessels and stop blood flow
what is sheehan’s syndrome
a loss of blood and hypovolaemia following birth
what affect is there on the anterior pituitary gland with sheehan’s syndrome
necrosis can occur as there is not enough blood supply
the anterior pituitary has increased in size so needs a increased blood supply
the blood supply isn’t great anyway as it is through the portal system
what brachial plexus problems can occur during birth
Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy could occur
