Parturition - Symptoms, Stages, and Hormones: Symptoms, Stages, What it is

Parturition is the process of giving birth in which the baby comes out from the womb of the mother. This is important for the survival process of the species and is one of the most important topics in the Class 12 chapter Human Reproduction in Biology. The Understanding of parturition forms a major part of the reproductive system and how it functions in human growth.

Parturition Definition

Parturition refers to the delivery of a baby from the uterus and is also known as childbirth. Parturition is a complicated process that is initiated by physiological changes and hormonal signals that prepare the body for labour and birth. The Examine provides an overview of the process of parturition, its symptoms, stages and the associated hormones.

What is Parturition in Humans?

Parturition is the result of pregnancy and is characterised by the onset of labour, which concludes with the delivery of the fetus. Being a complex process, it involves various hormonal and physical changes in the body of the mother.

Also Read:

• Practice MCQ on Parturition
• Human Reproduction
• Female Reproductive System
• Reproductive Health

Symptoms of Parturition

The symptoms include:

Contractions

• The most important sign of labour is regular painful contractions of the uterus.

• These contractions help dilate the cervix and push the baby down the birth canal.

Water Breaking

• The "water breaking" is a break in the amniotic sac that starts to drain amniotic fluid.

• This happens either right before labour begins or during.

Cervical Changes

• The cervix becomes softened and eventually starts dilating to prepare for the birth.

• This process can be followed through with prenatal visits.

Back Pain

• Most women get lower back pains from the onset of the realignment of the body in preparation for labour.

• It may feel like a sharp pain or a dull ache.

Bloody Emission

• The emission of a small amount of blood or mucus from the vagina may indicate that labour is imminent.

Stages of Parturition

Parturition may be divided into three stages :

First Stage

This stage commences with the onset of the contractions and ends when the cervix has dilated to its fullest, which is around 10 cm. It may last for several hours to days, especially for first-time mothers. The first stage can be subdivided into:

• Latent Phase: Early contractions and gradual cervical dilation.

• Active Phase: More intense contractions and rapid dilation.

Second Stage

• This is the stage of birth.

• It commences when the cervix has become fully dilated and concludes with the birth of the baby.

• It may last from some minutes to some hours, depending on previous experience and the position of the baby during delivery.

Third Stage

• This stage occurs following the birth of the baby and involves the expulsion of the placenta.

• It is noted to occur within 30 minutes following delivery and is crucial in ensuring that the uterus contracts well to avoid excessive bleeding.

Hormones Involved in Parturition

Parturition is associated with several hormones, which play some critical roles as outlined below:

Oxytocin

• Released by the posterior pituitary, oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions and facilitates milk ejection in lactation.

• The levels significantly rise during labour.

Prostaglandins

• These hormones help soften and dilate the cervix, which is important for the passage of the baby through the birth canal.

Relaxin

• This hormone relaxes the pelvic ligaments and prepares the birth canal for birth.

Estrogen and Progesterone

• These hormones regulate the entire process of pregnancy and labour; with the onset of labour, there is an increase in the concentration of oestrogen.

Factors Influencing Parturition

Some factors are as mentioned below:

Gestational Age

• The onset of parturition may depend on the gestation age of the foetus; the normal gestation period is approximately 40 weeks for a full-term pregnancy.

Maternal Health

• The mother's health condition will have an impact on the onset and development of labour.

Fetal Presentation

• The fetal position can also influence the duration and the extent of the difficulty of labour. The presentations in the best position are head-down presentations, also referred to as vertex presentations.

Clinical Issues During Parturition

Some clinical issues are mentioned below:

Monitoring Labour

• Throughout labour, contractions, cervical dilation, and the fetal heart rate are closely monitored for the process to be safe for the mother and the baby.

Pain Management

• Pain can be relieved during labour by epidurals, medication, and some natural methods such as breathing techniques.

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