Normal Labour and Delivery Questions and Answers

Answer: D

The process is called Parturition.

Parturition, or childbirth, is the expulsion of the foetus and placenta from the uterus at the end of pregnancy, brought about by uterine contractions under the influence of oxytocin and prostaglandins.

Lactation is the secretion of milk after birth. Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the endometrium when pregnancy does not occur. Micturition is passing urine. None of them is the birth process.

Answer: C

The term is Polarity of uterus.

Polarity describes the neuromuscular harmony between the two poles of the uterus in labour: while the upper segment contracts and retracts to expel the foetus, the lower segment and cervix relax and dilate. This coordination lets contractions open the cervix.

Retraction is the permanent shortening of the muscle fibres of the upper segment. Fundal dominance means that each contraction starts at and is strongest in the fundus. Foetal axis pressure is the force transmitted down the baby's spine to the presenting part.

Answer: D

The correct sequence is dilation of cervix → breaking of waters → baby is expelled → placenta is expelled.

Labour has three stages. In the first, contractions open (dilate) the cervix, and the membranes usually rupture, releasing the amniotic fluid ('breaking of waters'), late in this stage. In the second, the baby is pushed out through the birth canal. In the third, the placenta separates and is delivered.

The placenta always comes last, after the baby, so options putting it first or second are wrong. The waters break before the baby is born, which rules out the option ending with them.

Answer: C

It is called amniotomy.

Amniotomy, also known as artificial rupture of membranes (ARM), is the deliberate breaking of the amniotic sac with a small hook to start or speed up labour. The release of amniotic fluid and the prostaglandins it triggers usually strengthen contractions.

Uterine haemorrhage is bleeding from the uterus. Uterine inertia is weak or absent contractions, the very problem amniotomy may be used to treat. 'Rupture of uterine membrane' describes the event in words but is not the clinical name of the procedure.