51 Questions
What is the approximate duration of gestational development from conception?
266 days
What hormonal signaling pathway may play a pivotal role in initiating birth in humans?
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
Which hormone prevents myometrium contractions during pregnancy?
Progesterone
What effect does estrogen have on myometrial smooth muscle fibers?
Increases gap junctions between fibers
What are the two major categories of medications provided during labour?
Analgesics and anesthetics
How are analgesics often administered?
Via intramuscularly or intravenously
What is the most common conduction anesthetic used during labour?
Epidural block
Why do many people today opt for birth plans which restrict the use of therapeutic drugs?
To minimize medical intervention and potential risks
What plays crucial roles in promoting uterine contractions during labour?
Prostaglandins and oxytocin
What may be involved in induced labour?
Puncturing the amniotic sac and administration of synthetic oxytocin and prostaglandins
What are key stages of labour characterized by cervical changes?
Cervical effacement and dilation
How long does the expulsion of the fetus generally last?
30 minutes to 2 hours
How long does the expulsion of the placenta typically last?
5-30 minutes
What percentage of births in Canada represent preterm babies?
8%
What is a characteristic of multiple births?
They often occur earlier than single births
What may be used if the fetus gets stuck in the birthing canal?
Forceps or vacuum extraction
What percentage of births in Canada account for Cesarean delivery?
28%
What are analgesics and anesthetics in the context of labour medications?
Analgesics are pain relievers, while anesthetics are numbing agents that cause a loss of sensation.
What are the two major categories of medications provided during labour?
The two major categories of medications provided during labour are analgesics and anesthetics.
What are some reasons why human birth is difficult compared to other mammals?
Human birth is difficult compared to other mammals due to factors such as fetal head size being too big for the pelvis, the necessity for twisting through the birth canal, injury/infection in the carrier's perineum, presentation with the face down, and prolonged labour and delivery (34 times longer than other primates).
What are some 'natural' birthing methods that people opt for today?
Many people today opt for birth plans which restrict the use of therapeutic drugs and may involve birth outside of a hospital setting.
What are the key roles of prostaglandins and oxytocin in promoting uterine contractions during labour?
They play crucial roles in promoting uterine contractions during labour.
What are the key stages of labour characterized by cervical changes?
Cervical effacement and dilation.
How long does the expulsion of the fetus generally last?
Between 30 minutes to 2 hours.
What is the approximate duration of the expulsion of the placenta?
5-30 minutes.
What percentage of births in Canada represent preterm babies?
Approximately 8%.
What percentage of births in Canada account for Cesarean delivery?
About 28%.
Explain the hormonal initiation of birth in humans.
The hormonal initiation of birth in humans is believed to be initiated through hormonal signaling pathways. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) secreted by the placenta plays a pivotal role by triggering fetal pituitary and adrenal glands to secrete androgens and cortisol, which stimulates increased estrogen synthesis in the carrier.
Discuss the role of progesterone and estrogen in labor.
Progesterone, which is high during pregnancy, prevents myometrium contractions by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins and cortisol receptors, and by reducing the number of calcium channels in uterine tissues. Estrogen has the opposite effect, increasing gap junctions between myometrial smooth muscle fibers and softening the collagen of the cervix.
What is the approximate duration of gestational development from conception?
Approximately 266 days, which is just shy of 9 months or 38 weeks.
What are the likely remnants from ancestral species in terms of the seasonal and temporal variation in human births?
Seasonal and temporal variation in when humans are born are likely remnants from ancestral species.
Analgesics are often administered via ______ or intravenously
intramuscularly
Conduction anesthetics are often used, the most common of which is an ______ block
epidural
Compared to our closest relatives, and most other mammals, humans have ______ births
terrible
Many people today opt for birth plans which restrict the use of therapeutic drugs and may involve birth outside of a ______ setting
hospital
Estrogen has the opposite effect on these systems. Estrogens also increase gap junctions between myometrial smooth muscle fibres and soften the collagen of the ______.
cervix
Progesterone, which is high during pregnancy prevents myometrium contractions by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins and cortisol receptors, and by reducing the number of calcium channels in uterine tissues. ______ has the opposite effect on these systems.
Estrogen
Using the 38 weeks as a guide from conception, gestational development lasts approximately ______.
266 days
In particular, it appears that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) secreted by the placenta may play a pivotal role. CRH triggers fetal pituitary and adrenal glands to secret androgens and ______.
cortisol
Prostaglandins and oxytocin play crucial roles in promoting uterine contractions during ______
labour
Induced ______ may involve puncturing the amniotic sac and administration of synthetic oxytocin and prostaglandins
labour
Changes in the body, such as lightening and increased urination, occur as preparation for ______
labour
Cervical effacement and dilation are key stages of ______, characterized by the dislodging of the mucous plug and increasing intensity of contractions
labour
The expulsion of the fetus involves active pushing and generally lasts between 30 minutes to 2 ______
hours
The expulsion of the placenta typically lasts 5-30 minutes and involves the use of oxytocin or vasoconstricting medications if ______ occurs
hemorrhage
Preterm babies, born before 35 weeks, face higher risks of health complications and represent approximately 8% of births in ______
Canada
Multiple births often occur earlier than single births, and multiple babies may present head first or ______
breech
Difficult fetal positions, such as breech or transverse, occur in a small percentage of ______
births
Forceps or vacuum extraction may be used if the fetus gets stuck in the birthing ______, with vacuum extraction carrying a higher risk of fetal scalp injury
canal
Cesarean delivery, accounting for about 28% of births in ______, may be elective or emergency and is performed for various reasons
Canada
Recovery from a cesarean delivery is challenging and often not aligned with the recovery time for other major abdominal ______
surgeries
Study Notes
Stages of Labour and Delivery and Related Concepts
- Prostaglandins and oxytocin play crucial roles in promoting uterine contractions during labour
- Induced labour may involve puncturing the amniotic sac and administration of synthetic oxytocin and prostaglandins
- Changes in the body, such as lightening and increased urination, occur as preparation for labour
- Cervical effacement and dilation are key stages of labour, characterized by the dislodging of the mucous plug and increasing intensity of contractions
- The expulsion of the fetus involves active pushing and generally lasts between 30 minutes to 2 hours
- The expulsion of the placenta typically lasts 5-30 minutes and involves the use of oxytocin or vasoconstricting medications if hemorrhage occurs
- Preterm babies, born before 35 weeks, face higher risks of health complications and represent approximately 8% of births in Canada
- Multiple births often occur earlier than single births, and multiple babies may present head first or breech
- Difficult fetal positions, such as breech or transverse, occur in a small percentage of births
- Forceps or vacuum extraction may be used if the fetus gets stuck in the birthing canal, with vacuum extraction carrying a higher risk of fetal scalp injury
- Cesarean delivery, accounting for about 28% of births in Canada, may be elective or emergency and is performed for various reasons
- Recovery from a cesarean delivery is challenging and often not aligned with the recovery time for other major abdominal surgeries
Stages of Labour and Delivery and Related Concepts
- Prostaglandins and oxytocin play crucial roles in promoting uterine contractions during labour
- Induced labour may involve puncturing the amniotic sac and administration of synthetic oxytocin and prostaglandins
- Changes in the body, such as lightening and increased urination, occur as preparation for labour
- Cervical effacement and dilation are key stages of labour, characterized by the dislodging of the mucous plug and increasing intensity of contractions
- The expulsion of the fetus involves active pushing and generally lasts between 30 minutes to 2 hours
- The expulsion of the placenta typically lasts 5-30 minutes and involves the use of oxytocin or vasoconstricting medications if hemorrhage occurs
- Preterm babies, born before 35 weeks, face higher risks of health complications and represent approximately 8% of births in Canada
- Multiple births often occur earlier than single births, and multiple babies may present head first or breech
- Difficult fetal positions, such as breech or transverse, occur in a small percentage of births
- Forceps or vacuum extraction may be used if the fetus gets stuck in the birthing canal, with vacuum extraction carrying a higher risk of fetal scalp injury
- Cesarean delivery, accounting for about 28% of births in Canada, may be elective or emergency and is performed for various reasons
- Recovery from a cesarean delivery is challenging and often not aligned with the recovery time for other major abdominal surgeries
Stages of Labour and Delivery and Related Concepts
- Prostaglandins and oxytocin play crucial roles in promoting uterine contractions during labour
- Induced labour may involve puncturing the amniotic sac and administration of synthetic oxytocin and prostaglandins
- Changes in the body, such as lightening and increased urination, occur as preparation for labour
- Cervical effacement and dilation are key stages of labour, characterized by the dislodging of the mucous plug and increasing intensity of contractions
- The expulsion of the fetus involves active pushing and generally lasts between 30 minutes to 2 hours
- The expulsion of the placenta typically lasts 5-30 minutes and involves the use of oxytocin or vasoconstricting medications if hemorrhage occurs
- Preterm babies, born before 35 weeks, face higher risks of health complications and represent approximately 8% of births in Canada
- Multiple births often occur earlier than single births, and multiple babies may present head first or breech
- Difficult fetal positions, such as breech or transverse, occur in a small percentage of births
- Forceps or vacuum extraction may be used if the fetus gets stuck in the birthing canal, with vacuum extraction carrying a higher risk of fetal scalp injury
- Cesarean delivery, accounting for about 28% of births in Canada, may be elective or emergency and is performed for various reasons
- Recovery from a cesarean delivery is challenging and often not aligned with the recovery time for other major abdominal surgeries
Test your knowledge about the timing of human birth and the hormonal initiation of labor. Learn about the approximate duration of pregnancy, the normal range of birth timing, and the potential evolutionary reasons for seasonal and temporal variations in birth. Explore the evidence related to hormonal initiation of labor in humans.
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