The first 36-38 months of pregnancy. During this week, the uterus is prepared for birth, but it is closed to stimulation. At the same time, the uterine entrance has begun to soften but maintains its structural integrity. This long period of silence is followed by the beginning of contractions in the uterus and the thinning and opening of the uterine entrance. Birth is examined in four phases.
Phase 1 (silence phase): A period of silence begins in the uterus with fertilization. This silence continues until the end of pregnancy. Sometimes, there may be weak contractions in the uterus in the later weeks of pregnancy. These contractions that do not lead to labor are called pseudolabor.
Phase 2 (preparatory phase): the last 6-8 months of pregnancy. Mobility begins in the uterus during the 2nd week. In this phase, changes occur in the uterus and cervix for labor. The lower segment of the uterus begins to form and the anterior part of the fetus descends. Collagen fibers in the cervix are destroyed and the cervix softens.
Phase 3 (labor phase): The birth phase consists of 3 phases.
1. Stage: It covers the time it takes to complete the cervical dilation necessary for the fetus to pass through the passage. It takes approximately 12 hours. Uterine contractions that begin during labor are completely involuntary. The frequency of these contractions decreases from 10 minutes to 1 minute. This one-minute period between contractions is of great importance for the well-being of the fetus. While the muscle layer of the uterus is thicker in the upper part and works as if it pushes its muscles out, the lower segment of the uterus works softer and thinner to facilitate this passage.
2. Stage: This stage covers the period from the completion of dilation of the cervix to the birth of the fetus. For women who have never given birth, it takes an average of 50 minutes and a maximum of 2 hours. For women who have given birth to multiple births, it takes an average of 20 minutes and a maximum of 1 hour.
3. Stage: This stage is after the fetus comes out and the placenta and fetal It is the time until the membranes are expelled. It usually takes 10 minutes.
Phase 4 (puerperium phase): Within 1 hour following birth, the uterus contracts and pressure is applied to the uterine vessels and bleeding is prevented. At the same time, with the arrival of breast milk, the baby begins to be breastfed, and the oxytocin hormone released by the sucking reflex helps uterine contractions.
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