NURS 461 Lecture 6: 9.14.16TheProcessOfLabor
Document Summary
The process by which the products of conception are expelled from the uterus . The series of events by which the products of conception are expelled from the woman"s body . Other terms: childbirth, confinement, partuition, accouchement, travail: french for work . Doesn"t always occur when mom is ready, but occurs at appropriate time. Factors which influence this: oxytocin stimulation theory. This causes labor to begin: progesterone withdrawal theory. Decreased levels of progesterone, inducing labor: estrogen stimulation theory. Increased estrogen at the end of pregnancy: fetal cortisol theory. Fetal cortisol (stress hormone produced by adrenal gland) increases production causing increased prostaglandins: fetal membrane/prostaglandin theory. Uterus stretches to a certain size, and then cannot stretch any more leading to labor. Supported by multiple gestation- twins are usually born prematurely. Lightening: descent of the fetus into pelvic cavity. Braxton hicks: practice contractions which prepare uterus for labor. Show: when the mucus plug is released from cervix d/t cervical dilation.
