Final answer:
During active labor, a mother's emotions can vary, but common feelings include anxiety and focus. The hormone oxytocin triggers contractions for childbirth, leading to the cervix dilating and eventually the pushing stage, where the baby is expelled, followed by the placenta. Emotional responses differ from person to person.
Step-by-step explanation:
During active labor, a mother might feel a range of emotions due to the intense and demanding nature of the process. Common emotions can include anxiety, happiness, fear, anger, frustration, dependence, seriousness, and focus. However, there is no single correct answer as emotional responses can vary widely among individuals. The hormones, physical stress, and anticipation of meeting the newborn all contribute to the emotional state of the mother.
The hormone primarily responsible for the contractions during labor is oxytocin. This hormone affects the uterus by increasing contractions, which helps to thin and dilate the cervix in preparation for childbirth. The start of "active labor" is signaled by regular contractions, the thinning and dilation of the cervix, and often the occurrence of the "bloody show."
At the pushing stage of childbirth, the baby is expelled from the uterus. This stage involves the contraction of the uterus and the mother utilizing her abdominal muscles to push and aid delivery. Following the birth of the baby, the third stage of labor involves the delivery of the placenta.
In developing countries, the leading cause of maternal death is often complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, such as hemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and complications from delivery.