Question

Loss of placental endocrine function

The removal of the placenta causes loss of placental endocrine function. In addition, simultaneous initiation of pulmonary gas exchange in the baby removes the stimulus for vasodilation in the mother, thereby increasing the blood loss. Acute atherosis is a maternal vascular lesion and is unrelated to blood loss during the after birth period. Mobilization of the extravascular water stored during pregnancy reduces edema; it does not play a role in after birth blood loss. Loss of uteroplacental circulation reduces the size of the maternal vascular bed and thereby improves blood circulation. However, this change is not responsible for after birth blood loss.

Answer 1

The afterbirth marks the final stage of childbirth, leading to the postpartum period where the body recovers and returns to a non-pregnant state. It includes the delivery and complete expulsion of the placenta, which is crucial to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. The placenta's development and function are essential for fetal growth, providing necessary nutrients and facilitating waste removal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The delivery of the placenta and associated membranes, referred to as the afterbirth, is a critical final stage of childbirth. Once the newborn is expelled, the myometrium contracts to shear the placenta from the uterine wall, leading to its delivery through the vagina. Continued contractions help to minimize blood loss at the placental site. This marks the commencement of the postpartum period, a time when the mother's body gradually returns to its non-pregnant state over approximately six weeks.

Following birth, the first breaths taken by the infant facilitate a major circulatory reconfiguration, moving the responsibility of gas exchange from the placenta to the baby's lungs. The umbilical cord is also clamped and cut, resulting in the collapse of umbilical vessels, which eventually atrophy and become fibrous remnants. During this period, the obstetrician must ensure the intact expulsion of the placenta to prevent postpartum hemorrhage, and breastfeeding can further aid uterine involution.

Finally, the placenta's role in fetal development should not be understated. It is vital for providing nutrition, excreting waste, respiration, and endocrine function to the fetus through intricate exchanges of substances between the maternal and fetal bloodstreams.