Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
As labor advances, the body of the uterus, the cervix and the vagina
together to form a uniformly curved canal that is called birth canal. The
fetus is gradually expelled from the uterus against the resistance effort by
pelvis floor. As the fetal head descends, the soft tissues of the pelvis
become displaced. Anteriorly, the bladder is pushed upwards into the
abdomen where it is at less risk of injury during fetal decent. This results
in the stretching and thinning of the urethra so that its lumen is reduced.
Posteriorly, the rectum becomes flattened in to the sacral curve and the
pressure of the advancing head expels any residual faecal matter. The
levator ani muscles dilate, thin out and are displaced laterally, and the
perineal body is flattened, stretched and thinned.
IV. Expulsion of the fetus:
The fetal head becomes visible at vulva, advancing with
each contraction and receding between contractions until
crowning takes place. The head is then born. The
shoulder and body follow with the next contraction,
accompanied by a gush of amniotic fluid and some times
of blood The second stage culminates with the birth of
the baby.