PARTURITION is defined as the process of bringing

PARTURITION is defined as the process of bringing forth of young which comprises of multiple transformations in both uterine and cervical functions There are four phases : Quiescence Activation phase Stimulation phase Involution phase.

QUIESCENCE ACTIVATION CONCEPTION TO INITIATION OF PARTURITION BEGINNING OF UP TO PARTURITION DELIVERY OF TO ONSET OF CONCEPTUS LABOUR TILL THE TIME FERTILITY IS RESTORED PREDOMIN -ANTLY INFLUENC -ING FACTOR INHIBITORS PROGESTRONE , PROSTACYCLIN, NITROUSOXIDE, RELAXIN UTEROTROPI C ESTROGEN, OXYTOCIN , PROSTAGLAND INS-> INCREASED GAP JUNC. UTEROTONICS OXYTOCIN PROSTAGLANDI NS OXYTOCIN THROMBINS UTERINE ACTIVITY CONTRACTILE UNRESPONSIVE NESS. PREPARATION FOR LABOUR CONTRAC TIONS ALONG WITH FETAL & PLACENTAL EXPULSION INVOLUTION CERVIX SOFTENING RIPENING DILATATION & EFFACEMENT REPAIR FROM STIMULATION PHASES OF PARTURITION INVOLUTION

LABOUR It is the third phase of parturition, comprising three stages: First stage: from onset of labour pains till cervix is fully dilated. Second stage of labour: from complete dilatation of cervix till the delivery. Third stage of labour: placental separation &expulsion

FIRST STAGE OF LABOUR Following are the major events during labour: Gradually increasing uterine contractions Retraction Dilatation of cervix Effacement of cervix Lower uterine segment formation

UTERINE CONTRACTIONS IN LABOUR Characteristics of normal uterine contractions: Pace maker: situated in the region of tubal ostia from where wave of contraction spread downwards. Sometimes there is emergence of multiple pace maker foci leading to less efficient contractions and hence

Good synchronization of contraction waves from both sides of uterus. Regular pattern of contractions Good relaxation in between the contractions Intra amniotic pressure during relaxation is 8 mm rising beyond 20 mm during contraction

INTENSITY: describes degree of uterine systole. increases with progress of labour. Maximum during 2 nd stage of labour DURATION: initially last for 10 -15 seconds gradually increases up to 40 -45 sec. FREQUENCY: in the early stage of labour, contractions come at the interval of 10 -15 min and increases to maximum in 2 nd stage of labour. Clinically contractions are said to be good when they come after interval of 3 -5 minutes and at the height of contractions uterine wall can not be indented by fingers.

TONUS : intra uterine pressure in between the contractions. During Quiscent stage- 2 -3 mm Hg During first stage of labour 8 -10 mm. Hg. Factors governing tonus are: Contractility of uterine muscles Intra abdominal pressure Over distension of uterus as in twins and hydramnios.

If the intensity diminishes, duration is shortened and period between the increases it leads to hypotonic uterine dysfunction. Here intrauterine pressure during the contractions remains below 25 mm of Hg. if there is increased frequency and duration without adequate relaxation in between it leads to incoordinate uterine action. It comprises a rise in the base line tone which and hence diminishing the circulation in the intervillous space of placenta

LABOUR PAINS Pain during contractions is along the cutaneous nerve distribution of T 10 to L 1 Pain of cervical dilatation is radiated to back through sacral plexus Causes of pain: Myometrial hypoxia Streching of peritonium over the fundus Streching of cervix during dilatation Compression of nerve ganglia

Retraction Permanent shortening of uterine muscle. net effects are : Formation of lower uterine segment. Maintain advancement of presenting part made during contractions Reduce the surface area of uterus and hence favouring placental separation. Effective haemostasis after separation of placenta.

FRIEDMAN graph of cervical dilation

Latent phase : during which there is little dilatation occurs with considerable changes taking place in the connective tissue component of cervix which include: Breaking down of collagen by collagease and elastases. Accumulation of fluid between collagen fibres. Fibro- muscular glandular hypertrophy. Increased vascularity Acceleration phase with cervical dilatation 2. 5 -4 cm. Phase of maximum slope: between 4 -9 cm Phase of decelaration: 9 -10 cm

Caused by: (a)Uterine contraction and retraction: bucket handle manner of attachment of longitudinal muscle fibres of upper uterine segment with circular muscle fibres of lower uterine segment and cervix. Thus during contraction of upper segment the canal- shortens, retracts and opens.

(b)Bag of membranes : during labour the membranes attached to the lower uterine segment are detached herniation of membranes through the cervical canal due to ball valve action of well flexed head, during uterine contraction hydrostaic pressure in forewaters increases cervical dilatation

Fetal axis pressure: contractions of circular muscles of body of uterus Straightening of vertebral column of fetus Fundal contractions transmit through podalic pole in to fetal axis Mechanical streching of lower uterine segment and opening of cervical canal

Effacement of cervix Muscular Fibres of cervix are pulled upwards and merge with lower uterine segment. Effacement precedes the dilatation in primegravidae While it occurs simultaneously with dilatation in multiparae

Lower uterine segment formation During labour lower uterine segment is demarcated by physiological retraction ring above and fibromuscular junction of cervix and uterus below. formed maximally during labour. 7. 5 -10 cm when fully formed and cylindrical during 2 nd stage of labour Poor retractile property as compared to upper uterine segment. gradual thinning of lower uterine segment due to relaxation of its muscle fibres to allow elongation and descent of presenting part

1)implantation of placenta of in lower uterine segment leads to placenta praevia. 2)poor decidual reaction in this segment facilitates morbid adherent placenta. 3)lower segment is entirely the passive segment of uterus. Because of poor retractile property, there is chance of post partum haemorrhage if placenta is implanted over the area.

Uterine tetany: when there is no physiological differentiation between upper active and lower passive segment of uterus whole of the uterus goes in to a tonic muscular spasm holding the fetus inside. Poor decidual reaction in this segments facilitates morbid adherent placenta if implanted here Poor retractile property leads to post partum haemorrhage.

SECOND STAGE OF LABOUR It two phases: (a)propulsive: from full dilatation until head touches the pelvic floor. (b)expulsive: since the time there is irresistible maternal desire to bear down until the baby is delivered.

Factors leading to expulsion of fetus from uterine cavity are : Reduced volume due to escape of large amount of amniotic fluid. Elongation of uterus due to contraction of circular muscle fibers keeping the fetal axis straight. Reduced transverse or anterioposterior diameter. Downward thurst offered by uterine contractions supplimented by voluntary contractions of abdominal muscle. Retraction of uterus which counterbalance the resistance offered by pelvic floor.

Third stage of labour It comprises expulsion of placenta with membranes SEPERATION OF PLACENTA: due to shearing force instituted between the placenta and placental site due to marked reduction in the surface area in the placental site and inelasticity of placenta. PLANE OF SEPERATION: runs through spongy layer of decidua basalis.

METHODS OF SEPERATION : Marginal separation Of Placenta(Mathew Duncan): more frequent. Separation starts at the margins as it is mostly unsupported. Central separation (Schultze): detachment starts at centre with opening of few uterine sinuses and collection of retroplacental haematoma. Gradually due to weight of placenta and retroplacental blood collection more and more placenta separates.

SEPARATION OF MEMBRANES: The membranes in the upper part are thrown in to folds while those in the lower part are already detached due to stretching. Expulsion of placenta : After complete separation the placenta is forced in to the lower uterine segment and then in the vagina. Complete expulsion occures due bearing down efforts of by manual procedure.

HAEMOSTASIS Living ligature : as the arterioles pass tortuously through interlacing intermediate layers of myometrium they are actually clamped during uterine contractions. Thrombosis: occlude torn sinuses as pregnancy is hypercoagulation state. Myotamponade: apposition of walls of uterus after expulsion of placenta.

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