labour Flashcards
define term, pre-term and miscarriage
37-41 weeks, 23-37, below 23
define human labour
expulsion of fetus and placenta from uterus
main events of labour- tissues effected and cytokines involved
cervical ripening ie rigid to flexible due to inflammation (PGE2 IL8, MMPS)- coordinated myometrial contractions (more oxytocin receptor, PGE2)- rupturee of foetal membranes (PGE2, IL8, MMPS)
role of NF-kappa B and significance of positive feedback
pro-inflammatory T.F that increases cytokine production eg IL-1B, causing POSITIVE feedback: thus difficult to start labour once starts
role of infections
cause inflammation= pre-term labour
location of regulators and their role
in foetal membrane- in 3rd term COX goes up (produces PGE2), and CRH and platelet activating factor (PAF) go up, which INITIATE inflammatory process
role of PAF
part of lung surfactant- lung last organ to develop, so signals that baby is ready to be delivered
role of CRH (cortisol)+ positive feedback
CRH made from placenta causes ACTH release=cortisol= POSITIVE feedback for CRH production (normally would be negative)= more inflammation
role of adrenal gland and lungs
not just cortisol, but also matures lung= more PAF= more inflammation
role of progesterone with NFKB during end of pregnancy
binds to NFKB to stop inflammation- during labour, NFKB, and progesterone receptors go down, so although progesterone levels don’t go down, they have less effect as less receptors= less inhibition of NFKB= labour
stages of labour
stage 1- contraction and cervical ripening/rupture of foetal membranes, stage 2- baby delivered, stage 3= ends with expulsion of placenta and foetal membranes: INVOLUTION (decrease in size of uterus) occurs to prevent blood loss
what organ is most at risk in foetus during labour, and why
brain, due to infections
