labour and its abnormalities

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Labour can be somewhat coldly described as process by which the products of conception are expelled from the mother. Natural labour can be thought of as having three components: power, passages, and passengers.

power:

primary involves uterine contractions
secondary involves voluntary muscles of the
diaphragm and abdominal walls

passages:

bony: pelvic bone (see "pelvimetry")
soft: uterus, vagina, vulva, supporting tissues

passengers: the fetus (see "presentation"), placenta and membranes

Last reviewed 01/2018

Links:

stages of labour
management of labour
premature labour
postmaturity
dystocia

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labour and its abnormalities