PSYC 2110 Chapter Notes -Pacifier, Cortisol, Apgar Score
24 Aug 2013
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The placenta releases the hormone crh which triggers uterine contractions. False labor or prelabor-- upper uterine contractions several weeks before birth. Lightening-- the baby"s head drops low into the uterus and the cervix softens. Bloody show-- the plug of mucus that sealed the cervix during pregnancy is released producing a reddish discharge. Stage 1: dilation and effacement of the cervix. Longest stage-- 12-14 hours for first birth, 4-6 hours thereafter. Dilation and effacement of the cervix-- as uterine contractions gradually become more frequent and powerful, they cause the cervix to open (dilate) and thin (efface) , forming a clear channel from the uterus into the birth canal, or vagina. Contractions start out around 10-20 minutes apart, then gradually become stronger and closer together. The climax of stage 1 is a brief phase called transition-- the frequency and strength of contractions are at their peak and the cervix opens completely. Transition is the most uncomfortable part of childbirth.
