Learning Objectives
- Define preterm, term and post-term deliveries and give reasons for the importance of calculating an estimated date of delivery
- Describe both changes in the term fetus, and neonatal adaptations, that prepare the infant for extrauterine life
- Describe current understanding of the hormonal control of the initiation of labour, and give examples of the clinical implications.
- Describe changes in the myometrium and cervix that occur during and after labour
- Define the three stages of labour, and explain the events that occur in each stage
- Describe the major anatomical and histological features of the breast and describe the processes and regulation of lactation
Timing
- from what time point is gestation calculated?
- how is the estimated day of delivery (EDD) determined?
- why does the due date matter?
- what weeks constitute a pre-term vs term vs post-term birth?
- what are some causes of a pre-term birth?
Childbirth
- how is labour initiated?
- what is the result of all these events working together?
- what are the stimuli for PG?
- what is the role of relaxin in pregnancy?
- how does the cervix change in pregnancy?