Birth

Question 1

What is the scientific term for birth?

Answer 1

• parturition

Question 2

What is birth?

Answer 2

• the expulsion of the foetus, its surrounding membranes and the placenta from the uterus

Question 3

What is known about the placenta at the end of the gestation period?

Answer 3

• the placenta is less efficient
• for this reason alone, birth must take place

Question 4

What is distinctive about birth in humans regarding the state of the newborn?

Answer 4

• the human baby is born at a relatively immature and helpless stage

Question 5

What would happen to the foetus if it grew any larger than normal?

Answer 5

• it would not be able to leave the body successfully

Question 6

Why would the foetus not be able to leave the body successfully if it grew too large?

Answer 6

• the human birth canal is narrower as a result of the process of becoming upright and bipedal
• the human foetal brain is much larger than that in other primates and if enlarged any further would not be able to pass through the birth canal

Question 7

What is distinctive about birth in humans regarding the position in which the baby is born?

Answer 7

• the baby is usually born headfirst

Question 8

When does the foetus move into position for birth?

Answer 8

• 2 or 3 weeks before birth

Question 9

How must the baby lie in order for a normal birth to take place?

Answer 9

• with its head pointing downward towards the cervix

Question 10

What happens just before the baby is born regarding hormones?

Answer 10

• the very high levels of oestrogen in the mother’s blood cause the hypophysis to release a hormone called oxytocin
• which promotes contraction of the uterine wall

Question 11

How many stages are there during the birth process?

Answer 11

• 3 stages

Question 12

What are the stages of the birth process?

Answer 12

1. Dilation of the cervix
2. Delivery of the aby
3. Expulsion of the placenta