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As the fetal hypothalamus matures, the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis initiates labor through two hormonal mechanisms. The end pathway of both mechanisms lead to contractions in the myometrium, a mechanical cause of placental separation, which is due to the sheer force and contractile and involutive changes that occur within the uterus, distorting the placentome.
After birth, the fundus contracts downward into the pelvis one centimeter each day. After two weeks the uterus will have contracted and return into the pelvis. [ 9 ] The sensation and strength of postpartum uterine contractions can be stronger in women who have previously delivered a child or children.
Mother with newborn baby. The postpartum (or postnatal) period begins after childbirth and is typically considered to last for six to eight weeks. [1] There are three distinct phases of the postnatal period; the acute phase, lasting for six to twelve hours after birth; the subacute phase, lasting six weeks; and the delayed phase, lasting up to six months.
During the time immediately after birth, both the mother and the baby are hormonally cued to bond, the mother through the release of oxytocin, a hormone also released during breastfeeding. Studies show that skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn immediately after birth is beneficial for both the mother and baby.
This can happen up to about 50–73 hours after birth. Once full lactation begins, the woman's breasts swell significantly and can feel achy, lumpy and heavy (which is referred to as engorgement). Her breasts may increase in size again by an additional 1 or 2 cup sizes, but individual breast size may vary depending on how much the infant nurses ...
Apgar scoring is performed one minute and five minutes after birth. Scoring ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating severe neonatal distress and 10 indicating a smooth transition to extrauterine life. [1] Newborns transitioning into extrauterine life will undergo periods of reactivity. These periods are divided into three stages.
If, after birth, the complete amniotic sac or big parts of the membrane remain coating the newborn, this is called a caul. When seen in the light, the amniotic sac is shiny and very smooth, but tough. Once the baby is pushed out of the mother's uterus, the umbilical cord, placenta, and amniotic sac are pushed out in the afterbirth.
Neonatal sepsis of the newborn is an infection that has spread through the entire body. The inflammatory response to this systematic infection can be as serious as the infection itself. [26] In infants that weigh under 1500 g, sepsis is the most common cause of death. Three to four percent of infants per 1000 births contract sepsis.