1. Effects of Pregnancy on the Mother and Labor
Anatomy & Physiology
Mrs. Quezada

2. Aim: What changes occur in a mother during pregnancy?
Anatomical changes
Female reproductive organs become engorged with blood
Uterine enlargement exerts pressure on abdominal and pelvic organs

3. Lordosis- accentuated lumbar curvature
Relaxin- hormone produced by the placenta that causes the pelvic ligaments to relax and pubic bones to widen and become more flexible

4. Gastrointestinal changes
Elevated progesterone causes nausea
Crowding of the digestive system can cause heartburn
Decline in mobility of the digestive system causes constipation

5. Urinary System changes
Kidneys produce more urine during pregnancy due to increased metabolic rate and waste from the fetus
Uterus compresses the bladder

6. Respiratory System changes
Nasal mucosa become congested in response to estrogens
Tidal volume increases, to take in more oxygen for the fetus
Dyspnea- difficulty breathing, can occur later in pregnancy

7. Cardiovascular changes
Blood volume increases 25-40% to accommodate the needs of the growing fetus
Blood pressure increases to propel extra blood around the body

8. Aim: What changes occur during parturition?
Parturition- childbirth, usually occurs within 15 days of the due date of the baby
Labor- series of events that expel the infant from the uterus

9. Initiation of Labor
Labor is brought about by interaction of several hormones
The fetus produces adrenocortical hormones, which stimulate a rise in estrogen from the placenta

10. Increased production of surfactant protein A by the fetal lungs softens the cervix
Estrogen causes the formation of oxytocin receptors on the myometrium and antagonizes the calming effect of progesterone on the uterus

11. Braxton Hicks contractions- weak, irregular contractions of the uterus may occur- false labor
As labor gets closer, oxytocin (fetal cells) and prostaglandins (placenta) are produced, which are uterine muscle stimulants

12. Stages of labor
The dilation stage- time from labor’s onset until the cervix is fully dilated (10 cm)
Longest phase of labor, 6-12 hours
Infant’s head is forced against the cervix by uterine contractions

13. The expulsion stage- lasts from full dilation until the delivery of the infant
Strong contractions occur every 2-3 minutes
Mother has an increasing urge to push with the abdominal muscles
Crowning occurs when the baby’s head exits

15. The Placental Stage- delivery of the placenta and its attached fetal membranes (afterbirth)
Usually accomplished within 30 minutes after birth of the infant

16. Adjustments to extrauterine life
The newly born infant must adjust to life outside the womb
Apgar score- assessment done within 1-5 minutes after birth based on 5 criteria- respiration, heart rate, color, muscle tone, and reflexes