Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1. Uterine action
I. Contraction and retraction of uterine muscles
minutes.
The
intervals
gradually
shorten
with
fetus.
II.
Fundal dominance:
III. Polarity:
Polarity is the term used to describe the neuromuscular
harmony that prevails between the two poles or segments of
the uterus through out the labor. During each uterine
contraction these two pole act harmoniously. The upper pole
contracts strongly and retracts to expel the fetus; the lower
pole contracts slightly and dilates to allow expulsion to take
place. Thus coordination between fundal contraction and
cervical dilatation called Polarity of uterus If the polarity
of uterus disorganized then the progress of labor is inhibited.
of the cervix are pulled upward and merges with the fibers of the
lower uterine segment. Or it is process of thinning and shorting out
of the cervix.
Effacement may occur late in pregnancy or it may not take place
until labor begins. In the primigravida, the cervix will not dilate
until effacement is complete, whereas in the multigravida
effacement and dilatation may occur simultaneously.
2. Mechanical Factor
I. Formation of the fore waters
As the lower uterine segment forms and stretches, the
chorion becomes detached from it and the increased
intrauterine pressure causes this loosened part of the sac of
fluid to bulge downwards in to the dilating internal os, to
the depth of 6-12 mm and forms bag of membranes. The
well-flexed head fits snugly in to the cervix and cuts off
the fluid in front of the head from that which surrounds the
body. The part above the girdle of contact contain the fetus
with bulk of the liquor called hind water and the part of
water in front of the presenting part is called fore water.
III.
Rupture
of
membranes