1. What is the pathophysiology behind labor pain? Pain associated with labor is distinguished from other sources of pain. The source of pain form uterine contractions is not entirely clear either. One key source is the distention of the lower uterus and cervix. The pain is more intense as the contractions are stronger. The stronger the contraction the stronger the pressure exerted. Uterus ischemia is thought to be less likely of a factor because blood flow is increased during contractions. There are however several chemical nociceptive mediators that may play a role. These include bradykinins, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, serotonin, lactic acid, and substance P. A uterine contraction is transmitted via A delta and C visceral afferent fibres …show more content…
With the onset of labor the hormone estrogen is elevated so that it higher than progesterone, thereby reducing the relaxing effects of progesterone on the muscle. The rise in estrogen levels increases the uterus sensitivity to other factors that will stimulate uterine contractions. These include prostaglandins from the fetal membranes, and oxytocin from the mother’s posterior pituitary gland. The estrogen also increases the number of gap junctions which are connections that allow the uterine muscles to contract as a unit. Prostaglandins, which are produced by the deciduas and membranes, help to prepare the uterus for oxytocin stimulation at term. Once labor has begun, oxytocin helps to maintain labor. Oxytocin does not alone initiate labor, but it may work in conjunction with other substances. There is also evidence of fetal oxytocin secretion. Oxytocin receptors in the uterus, at the start of labor, increase considerably and reach their peak at the time of delivery. The oxytocin will have little effect if the receptors on the uterine muscle are not developed. The fetus, it seems, also plays a role. The fetal membranes release prostaglandins in large amounts during labor. Along with the fetal oxytocin concentrations released, fetal cortisol is also released in large amounts due to the fetal adrenaline. The release of cortisol acts as a possible uterine stimulant. For labor …show more content…
Oestrogen is responsible indirectly for lactation. When the baby first starts to suckle on the breast this sends a sensory signal from the nipple to the brain. The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland then secretes prolactin and the posterior lobe secretes the oxytocin. For the cells of the alveoli to secrete milk, prolactin is necessary. Prolactin increased during pregnancy considerable and its role is to stimulate the growth and development of mammary tissue. During pregnancy however, progesterone and oestrogen are increased and so they block the action of prolactin. After delivery, their levels decrease rapidly and so the prolactin is no longer blocked. This is where the milk secretion begins. Each time the baby suckles the blood levels of prolactin increase and stimulate further milk production by the alveoli. The levels of prolactin are highest 30 minutes into a feeding so it can get ready for the next feed. It is important to know that the more the baby suckles the more milk is produced; it is a supply and demand scenario. After a couple weeks the association between amounts of prolactin an milk produced is decreased. But even still, if the mother stops breastfeeding the milk production will stop. Breastfeeding can also play a role in delaying pregnancy. The suckling releases pituitary hormones that include gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle stimulating
The prolactin hormone is produced by the prolactin cells which are protein cells, primarily by the inhibitory hormone dopamine(Marieb & Hoehn 603).The hypothalamus is triggered from the increase of dopamine(Marieb & Hoehn 606).The levels of prolactin released depends on the amount of estrogen in the blood a woman has(Shannon 176).The secretion of prolactin normally happens when a woman is pregnant and after giving birth( Shannon 176). The estrogen when a...
The thought that physicians believe that women have a low pain tolerance is not supported by facts. In the essay “How Doctors Take Women’s Pain Less Seriously,” by Joe Fassler he has a great example of how physicians do believe that many women are not experiencing as much pain as they perceive they are. Men and women are very different and every one had a different pain tolerance and physician should treat every patient as an individual and not make assumptions right away.
In order to be completely informed a mother needs to know what exactly an epidural is and how it works. An epidural is the most popular form of pain relief during labor. An epidural is a regional pain reducer. An epidural is analgesia, which is meant for pain relief. This is much different than an anesthesia, which provides total lack of feeling to a region of the body. Epidurals are giving intravenously. There are two types of epidurals a woman can get. The first method is a regular epidural. In a regular epidural, after the catheter is in place, a combination of narcotic and anesthesia is administered either by a pump or by periodic injections into the epidural space. The second type of epidural is a combined spinal-epidural, these are often called the “”walking epidural”. In this type of epidural, an initial dose of narcotic, anesthetic or a combination of the two is injected beneath the outermost membrane covering the spinal cord.
This special touch ability also prompts the body to produce more of the hormone Oxytocin. As the Oxytocin increases in the body, the labor speeds up. According to Lora Schwacke, having a Doula on hand can reduce labor times by as much as 25% overall.
The first stage of labor actually has two phases itself. The first phase is called early labor. During early labor you should start to feel something like light cramps. It is also common to feel pressure in your lower back. This is the start of what is called “contractions”. Contractions help your uterus (female reproductive organ) stretch and relax, along with moving the baby's head down into the birth canal. Another thing that happens during early labor is your cervix (narrow neck like passage forming the lower end of the uterus) will start to get shorter, also known as “thinning out”. Your cervix will go from about three to five centimeters to looking as if it could be part of the uterus. You will also start to dilate (make or become wider, larger, or more open) during this phase. When your contractions get closer together, about four to five minutes apart, you should call your doctor or midwife and go in to get checked. They tell how far dilated you are in centimeters, zero to ten. The next phase to this stage is active labor. This phase will consist of you dilating more rapidly as well as your contractions getting harder and closer together. You may also begin to feel nauseous during active labor. At this point you will probably be in quite a bit of pain and want pain medication. Though it may be too late for an epidural (an injection in...
Giving birth is a memorable moment however it could be a very trying experience as well. Childbirth can be overwhelming depending on the mother’s health and medical history. The main objective of this paper is to compare and contrast the pros and cons of each method of childbirth. Information will also be obtained about natural childbirths and C-sections. The information used to compare and contrast natural births and C-sections are the two types of birthing method that was gathered from two research articles pertaining to natural births and c- sections. There will be a significant difference in the birthing methods because each method has a different impact on the mother’s body (Dewey 2003). The purpose of this paper is to gain knowledge of what natural childbirth and c- sections are and how they affect the woman’s body.
The most applicable borrowed theory would be Richard Lazarus’ Stress, Coping, Adaptation Theory. “Lazarus’ theory deals with how a person copes with stressful situations” (McEwen & Wills, 2011, p. 288). This theory is categorized under the stress theories. “The stress theories provide nursing with a framework to understand the effects that stress has on the individual and how the individual responds to stressful situations or life events” (McEwen & Wills, 2011, p. 287). The stressful situation identified is a woman going through the different stages of labor and experiencing the pain that goes with it.
Many mothers believe that they will not get pregnant while exclusively breastfeeding their babies. This practice is called the Lactational Amerrorhea Method (LAM) of birth control because women who breastfeed exclusively usually do not menstruate after childbirth. This results in natural infertility. However, many mothers are confused about fertility and breastfeeding because of conflicting information they receive. These include myths like breastfeeding is an unreliable method of preventing pregnancy and breastfeeding will prevent pregnancies no matter how frequently they breastfeed or even if their period has resumed.
If birth has been occurring since the beginning of time why do so many women act as if it’s something new? Nowadays, you have women asking for morphine, walking epidurals, and spinal epidurals. Why are so many women deciding that they can’t do a natural childbirth and what are the risks of not having one? Researchers have done studies on epidurals to determine if they cause women to get an increase in c-sections. They have also done studies to determine if getting an epidural to early will increase the chances of getting an epidural.
The hospital room holds all the usual scenery: rooms lining featureless walls, carts full of foreign devices and competent looking nurses ready to help whatever the need be. The side rails of the bed smell of plastic. The room is enveloped with the smell of plastic. A large bed protrudes from the wall. It moves from one stage to the next, with the labor, so that when you come to the "bearing" down stage, the stirrups can be put in place. The side rails of the bed provide more comfort than the hand of your coach, during each contraction. The mattress of the bed is truly uncomfortable for a woman in so much pain. The eager faces of your friends and family staring at your half naked body seem to be acceptabl...
Prolactin is a hormone (released by the anterior pituitary gland) that is most commonly known and named for its ability to stimulate lactation in female mammals, but additionally, serves several homeostatic functions and its involvement has been recorded in 300 biological processes (Freeman et. al 2000). Immune responses are enhanced by elevated levels of prolactin and even behavioral effect. For example, expression in rats has demonstrated parental behavior, such as nest building. Additionally, it is important to consider the vital function prolactin orthologues play
Opiods are the most popular class of drugs used for post-cesarean analgesia. They are most useful in treatment of somatic pain. Use of morphine, diamorphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, meperidine, nalbuphine and buprenorphine is well documented. The various opiods differ in their potency and severity of side effects. A discussion of the merits and de-merits of each is beyond the scope of this article. The common minor side effects include nausea, vomiting, pruritus, shivering and urinary retention. Respiratory depression, especially late-onset, is a more dreaded complication.
Breastfeeding provides a wide array of health benefits for both baby and mother, while simultaneously enhancing the bond between mom and her baby. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancer. Their babies see a boost in cognitive development, as well as lowering their chances of being obese as adults, unlike formula fed babies. Consequently, a lower risk of obesity correlates to a lower incident of a wide array of comorbidities such as
Over the years birthing methods have changed a great deal. When technology wasn’t so advanced there was only one method of giving birth, vaginally non-medicated. However, in today’s society there are now more than one method of giving birth. In fact, there are three methods: Non-medicated vaginal delivery, medicated vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery, also known as c-section. In the cesarean delivery there is not much to prepare for before the operation, except maybe the procedure of the operation. A few things that will be discussed are: the process of cesarean delivery, reasons for this birthing method and a few reasons for why this birthing method is used. Also a question that many women have is whether or not they can vaginally deliver after a cesarean delivery, as well as the risks and benefits if it. Delivering a child by a c-section also has a few advantages and disadvantages for both the mother and child; this will also be discussed in more depth a bit later.
...ural. An epidural, is the best thing I pregnant women could ever ask for. The pain of the contractions simple vanished and left me feeling as happy as a clam. Just imagine having laughing gas and that is how happy and relaxed I felt. The funny thing about the administration of the epidural was that it didn't hurt when it was administered. The pleasure of not feeling anymore pain was more than I could ever ask for.