LABOR AND DELIVERY
BIOLOGY 30
WILLENA & ALIDA
MRS. PROCEE
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HORMONES
• When the baby feels it is ready to come out and meet the world it will send
off signals in the form of hormones
• Corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol is released in the last few days and weeks of
pregnancy
• Estriol (a form of estrogen) is predominant during childbirth
• As the estriol level rises it inhibits the synthesis of progesterone by the
placenta and prepares the smooth muscle in the uterine wall to the hormones
that will stimulate uterine contractions
• The uterus also produces prostaglandins which decrease the progesterone
levels
• Progesterone inhibits the contraction of the uterus
CONTINUED
•During labor our body produces oxytocin
• Oxytocin helps the mother and child bond
•It’s main role is to continue the process of uterine contractions
•The estrogens make the uterine tissue’s sensitive to oxytocin
•Oxytocin is produced when the baby’s head pushes against the cervix
• Low levels of oxytocin can cause contractions to stop or slow and cause excessive
bleeding after birth
GOING INTO LABOR
• The first sign of labor is the baby moving it’s head down to the pelvis
and staying there
• The next part of labor is contractions. The uterus begins to tighten and
relax in a pattern.
• The contractions dilate the cervix and move the fetus out of the birthing
canal
• The pain the woman feels is caused by the aching of the powerful
muscles working
• Contractions are irregular and weak at first
• Soon they become stronger and occur in a regular pattern of every 5-10
minutes
• During labor they can get as close as 1 minute apart
DELIVERY
• Delivery is divided into 3 stages
• The first stage is the longest and is divided into 3 stages:
early labor, active labor, and transition
• The cervix will continue to dilate until it is 10cm apart.
• The membrane that encloses the fetus breaks during the stage (water
breaks)
2ND STAGE OF LABOR
• The second stage begins once the cervix is fully dilated
• It can last for a few minutes to a hours.
• During the stage, a series of strong contractions of the uterus and muscles push the
baby past the cervix into the birthing canal
• The mother must keep pushing with each contraction. Contractions and pushing works
together
• The baby’s bones are small and soft, therefore being able to pass through the small
birthing canal with no damage
• As the head emerges and if the baby is too large to come through the tissues around
the vagina may tear
• The conclusion of the second stage the doctor stands ready to guide the baby’s head
• Immediately after the birth the fluid is sucked out of the baby’s nose and mouth to help
it breathe independently
• Soon after the baby will give his or her first cry
3RD STAGE OF LABOR
• The third stage is after the baby is born
• The uterus continues to contract and the placenta is separated from
the uterus wall and passed through the vagina (after birth)
• The doctor examines the afterbirth to make sure it all came out and if
it is normal and then thrown away
• The tears are then stitched up.
THE BODY REACTS
• During pregnancy the body will sense the changes and will react in
different ways
• A pregnant woman may become hungry all the time and she may
start to crave weird things
•Of course the body will be in pain during child birth
•During labor the mother can be given an epidural, a drug that dulls
the pain
• After child birth the body is never the same, hormones during
pregnancy may have changed certain things
• i.e: my sister always had straight hair, after pregnancy she had curly hair
PICTURES
WORKS CITED
• Childbirth:The Role of Hormones in Labor and Delivery. (2014, October 9). Retrieved
from Education Portal: http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/childbirth-therole-of-hormones-in-labor-and-delivery.html#lesson
• Hormones Driving Labor and Birth. (2014, October 9). Retrieved from Childbirth
Connection: http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10184
• Labor and Delivery, postpartum care. (2014, October 9). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/labor-anddelivery/art-20049326
• Signs of Labor. (2014, October 9). Retrieved from Baby Center:
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/signs-for-how-I-will-know-I-am-in-labour
• You and Your New Body After Child Birth. (2014, October 9). Retrieved from Family
Education: http://pregnancy.familyeducation.com/recovery/postpartumhealth/57543.html
• Leggitt, K. (2014, October 9). how does my body work during child birth. Retrieved from
university of Minnesota : http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healingpractices/holistic-pregnancy-childbirth/how-does-my-body-work-during-childbirth