Part 2: Physiology Of Pregnancy, Parturition, And Lactation Flashcards
When does human birth occur?
40 weeks of gestation
What is involved in parturition?
Transformation of the myometrium from quiescent to contractile
Remodeling of the uterine cervix; softens and dilates
Rupture of fetal membranes
Expulsion of uterine contents
Return of the uterus to its prepregnant state
Labor is a series of regular, rhythmic, and forceful contractions that develop to facilitate _____.
How long do contractions last? What is the result?
What sustains labor?
Thinning and dilation of the cervix
Several hours, day, of longer; result is expulsions of the fetus, placenta, and membranes
Series of positive feedback mechanisms
What are the characteristics of the stages of parturition?
0:
1:
2:
3:
Uterine tranquility and refractoriness to contraction
Uterine awakening, initiation of parturition extending to complete cervical dilation: increase number of gap junctions
Stages of parturition:
_____ is relaxed, quiescen, relatively insensitive to hormones that stimulate ____
Uterus; contractions
When is uterine excitability increased?
Towards the end of pregnancy
Prior to labor, _____ transforms to a more contractile state
What stage is this?
What is produced?
Myometrium
Stage 1: transformation/activation
Contraction-associated hormones and proteins:
Prostaglandins F2alpha receptors
Oxytocin receptors
Enzymes involved in prostaglandin synthesis
Enzymes that break down collagen matrix in cervix
Gap junctions complexes
What state is active labor induced?
What three major factors induce contractions?
Stage 2
Increased levels of prostaglandins, increased myometrium cell interconnectivity, increased myometrium responsiveness to PG and oxytocin
Contractions forces ____ again the cervix. It becomes more compliant as the _____ remodels.
____ dilates enough to allow fetus through the birth canal.
Fetal head; extracellular matrix
Cervix
Reciprocal changes in uterin progesterone and estrogen receptors
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What is the fx of prostaglandins?
Synthesis of prostaglandins are stimulated by ______, _____, and _____.
Increase in
Estrogen in fetal membranes
Oxytocin in uterine cells
Uterine stretch
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Uterus is insensitive to oxytocin until ____ weeks. ____ increases oxytocin receptors. These receptors increase 80x higher than baseline by ___ weeks. Increase ____x by early labor.
20
Estrogen
36
200
During active labor, _____ stimulates uterine contractions that sustain labor.
Stimulate ____ production in decidual cells.
This hormone is the primary stimulus for release of distention of the ____ known as the ____ reflex.
Oxytocin
PGF 2alpha
Cervix; Ferguson
What is relaxin>
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What are the mechanical changes of the uterus during labor>
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What does the placenta produce during labor?
When do maternal levels rise of this hormone?
What is the fx?
Does it accumulate in fetal circulation? It stimulates fetal ____ secretion.
CRH
Later pregnancy and labor
Promotes myometrial contractions -> sensitizing uterus to prostaglandins and oxytocin
Yes; ACTH
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Most of pregnancy uterus undergoes periodic episodes of ____ called ____.
They become strong during ____ of pregnancy into active labor.
What is their fx?
Weak and slow contractions; Braxton hicks contractions
Last hours
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