BIOGEOSPHERE
Bilingual Biology and Geology
I.E.S. "J.S.Elcano (Sanlúcar Bda.)
3.5. Childbirth
In the eight month of the pregnancy, the foetus turns around in the uterus so that the head is pointed downwards, getting ready to be born, when it will come out of the body after the 40th week of gestation.
Labour takes place in three phases:
- Dilation
This phase lasts about three and twelve hours.
When the cervix (uterine neck) dilates,
the myometrium undergoes a series of contractions which become more and more intense and frequent, pushing the foetus towards the vagina.
At the end of this phase, the amniotic sac breaks and the amniotic fluid flows out (the waters break).
- Expulsion of the foetus.
This phase can last between thirty minutes and an hour.
The foetus comes out head first.
Once it has come out, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, leaving behind a wound which will heal to form a scar known
as the navel or belly buttom.
- Delivery of the placenta
About fifteen minutes after the baby is born, the uterus undergoes further contractions to expel the placenta and the umbilical cord.
In the first few days after the birth, the mother’s mammary glands produce a very nutritious liquid rich in antibodies called colostrum. On the third day, they start to produce milk that will nourish the new-born baby.
ACTIVITIES
After reading the text, copy and answer the following questions into your notebook:
Remember: you must make complete sentences.
3.10. Listen and relate each sentence with the correspondent phase
of the Labour.
a. Dilation
b. Expulsion of the foetus
c. Expulsion of the placenta
3.11. Why do you think the first days’ milk after childbirth, the colostrum,
is special and different?
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Eva Mª
López Rodríguez
Departamento
Biología y Geología
IES " J. S. Elcano"
Sanlúcar de Barrameda