Labour and Delivery Flashcards
What is another name for Birth?
Parturition
What is “Breaking water”?
When the amniotic membrane is forced into the BC and it breaks
What is classed as the Onset of Labour? What is classed as “Active Birth”?
Contractions very 15-20 mins, that last 40 seconds or longer. Contractions every minute that lasts 40 seconds
Hormonal Compnents
PFL
UCS induced by stretching cervix
Causes release of oxytocin from PP
Oxy. Stimulates the uterine muscle both directly and through the action of Prostaglandins (lipid compounds in the body that have hormone-like effect)
UCS push the fetus downward and the cervix stretches even more (10cm will indicate labour is near)
The cycle keeps repeating itself until birth occurs
What is Relaxin?
A hormone produced by the placenta prior to labour; causes the ligaments within the pelvis to loosen
What are some criteria for a Caesarian Section?
Women with small pelvis’
Women with STIs
How is the body preparing the breast for milk production?
Elevated levels of estrogen & progesterone
What is Prolactin?
A hormone needed for milk production after birth
High levels of estro/proges will prevent it from being released by the AP during pregnancy
Before levels of PRL are high enough for milk to be produced, Colostrum (thin, yellowish fluid that contains more protein and less fat) is produced
It’s full of antibodies fro mother (protects baby from infections)
How does Oxytocin relate to lactation?
It causes contractions within mammary lobules
They contain alveoli ~says with milk producing cells)
How is diet linked to milk production?
At the height of lactation a woman can produce as much as 1.5L of milk a day
In this case a mother could lose as much as 50g of fat and 100g of lactose sugar
To maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphate, parathyroid glands enlarge and bones decalcify
Therefore proper diet is needed to maintain the health of mother and child
