Process of Pregnancy and Birth

There are three main phases in the process of pregnancy and birth. During these phases, various physiological changes and other types of body system changes occur to accommodate the delivery of the child. These changes also occur to assist the mother while she is undergoing the process of pregnancy and birth. The onset process of pregnancy and birth is a separate phase from these.

Understanding about the Process of Pregnancy and Birth

• The onset process of pregnancy and birth has an unknown mechanism of exact induction. All the experts could deduce is that there are various types of reproductive system hormones that are released to promote an easier process of pregnancy and birth. One of these hormones is relaxin. Relaxin has been known to promote the significant amounts of contraction of the muscles found on the mother’s uterine area.
• As the first process of pregnancy and birth approaches, the body tends to release more relaxin. This results to more regular contractions of the uterus. These contractions aid in pushing the child down towards the opening of the womb. Generally, these contractions are involuntary and are primarily performed by the smooth muscles. They are usually the first evident signs of the process of pregnancy and birth.
• If the mother is about to undergo the actual process of pregnancy and birth, palpable changes can be noted on the cervical area. First, there is dilatation. Dilatation occurs when the cervix of the mother widens from a diameter of around 0.5 inch to approximately four inches. There is also an evident effacement of the cervix. Effacement occurs as a result of thinning or shortening of the cervix prior to the first process of pregnancy and birth. From a thickness of around two inches, the cervix turns approximately one millimeter.
• For the first process of pregnancy and birth, the cervix is usually fully dilated to prepare for the descent of the child. After this, further dilatation of the cervix takes place to give more room for the child. The opening of the cervix usually expands from zero to ten centimeters. During this period, it has almost completed the effacement phase. Along with this first process of pregnancy and birth are regular and stronger contractions of the uterine lining to encourage the further downward movement of the child.
• After this process of pregnancy and birth, the child has to undergo the expulsion process. This is broken down into eight subphases. Primarily, these events are accompanied by constant intra-abdominal pressure. This is a type of voluntary contraction by the trunk, diaphragmatic, and abdominal muscles to help the mother in expelling the child. The second process of pregnancy and birth consists of (1) engagement; (2) flexion; (3) descent; (4) internal rotation; (5) extension; (6) external rotation, or restitution; (7) delivery of anterior shoulder; and (8) delivery of posterior shoulder.
• For the last process of pregnancy and birth, there is expulsion of the placenta and the involution of the uterus. This last process of pregnancy and birth occurs to help the mother get back to her former form prior to the pregnancy. However, these processes do not guarantee that the mother can get back to her exact previous form after childbirth.