Parturition
Parturition is the process of expelling the fully formed foetus from the mothers uterus
after gestation period (about 280 days in human females).
Fully formed foetus and placenta stimulate parturition.
The foetus secrete hormone from its adrenal gland (called Foetal ejection factors) which
diffuse into the maternal blood and stimulate release of oxytocin from mother’s
posterior pituitary.
Oxytocin causes forceful contractions of the smooth muscles of myometrium called
labour pain which pushes the young one through the dilated cervix (caused by relaxin)
and vagina with the head foremost.
It is aided by reflex and voluntary contraction of abdominal muscles.
In the beginning the labour pains occur at an interval but soon become more frequent.
The foetal membranes burst and amniotic fluid is released but foetal membranes
remain behind.
The expulsion stage last for 20mins to an hour.
It is followed by placental stage (10-45mins) during which the umbilical cord, placenta
and foetal membranes are expelled as decidua after birth.
This is caused due to reduction in size of the uterus causing detachment of placenta.
Umbilical cord is tied and then cut which finally shrinks into a depressed scar called
umbilicus or naval.
Sometimes the foetal fails to come out and the baby is delivered by surgical process
called Casarean.
Parturition is controlled by two hormones-
a) Oxytocin- Causes powerful contraction of myometrium.
b) Relaxin- Causes widening of pelvis by relaxing pubic symphysis and dilation of cervix.
Lactation
Lactation is secretion of milk from mammary glands to provide nourishment to the
offspring.
By 5th/ 6th month of pregnancy the breasts are ready to produce milk but due to high
level of progesterone milk production is inhibited.
At birth, level of prolactin is high and due to loss of placenta, progesterone level falls.
Lactation is under hormonal control, the hormones involved are-
a) Prolactin- it promotes growth of alveoli in breasts and nipple before birth. It also
promotes lactogenesis.
b) Oxytocin- helps in milk ejection.
c) hPL- it is closely associated with prolactin .
Colostrum- First produced milk is called colostrum. It is thick and yellowish secretion
which is rich in IgA and WBC. It is essential for the immunity of new born.
