Pregnancy and Birth

Question 1

What factors initiates labour?

Answer 1

Hormonal changes in the fetus and mother

Decidua releases prostaglandins

Maternal posterior pituitary releases oxytocin

Question 2

What is the decidua?

Answer 2

modified mucosal lining of the uterus known as the endometrium that forms in preparation for pregnancy.

Formed under the influence of progesterone.

Endometrial cells become highly characteristic.

Question 3

Describe the hormonal initiation of labour

Answer 3

Fetal hypothalamus triggers activation of maternal hormonal release

Fetal cortisol triggers placental hormone release

Rise in oestrogen, drop in progesterone

Oxytocin from post pituitary + prostaglandins from decidua= uterine contractions

Question 4

Mechanical stimulation during labour

Answer 4

Overstretching and pressure causes baby to mechanically stimulate uterus and cervix

Question 5

Latent phase of labour

Answer 5

Length: hours to days

Cervical effacement
-Thinning of the cervix

Contractions of varying intensities

Question 6

Effacement of the cervix

Answer 6

When the cervix is not palpable it is dilated

Question 7

Diagnosis of Active Labour

Answer 7

Painful regular contractions

Cervical effacement

Dilatation of the cervix of 4cms or more.

Question 8

Second stage of labour

Answer 8

from full dilatation (10cn) to delivery of the baby

Question 9

Anterior fontanelles (bregma)

Answer 9

• fuse at 18 months

- diamond shaped intersection of 4 sutures

Question 10

Posterior fontanelles

Answer 10

• Y shaped intersection of 3 sutures

- closes at 6-8 weeks