Tag: cervix

Posted in Science & Nature

From Cell To Birth: Childbirth

Posted on by Jinavie

The onset of labour signals that the birth of the child is imminent. Strong contractions of the uterus under the influence of oxytocin cause intense pain for the mother. This escalates as oxytocin creates a vicious cycle for more and more powerful contractions. Other signs include a bloody show, where blood and mucus leaks out, and the water breaking, where amniotic fluid bursts out as the membranes rupture.
When the cervix has fully dilated to 10cm wide, the baby is ready to come out, and this is the end of the first stage. It may take over 24 hours for this stage to be over – all the while the mother is in extreme pain as her body transforms for the process.

The second stage concerns the delivery of the baby, and follows a precise series of steps.

  1. The baby, oriented head-down, facing either right or left, leans against the pelvis.
  2. The baby begins to descend, passing through the pelvis.
  3. It flexes its head as it comes through the cervix, turning towards the mother’s back as it does so.
  4. As the head crowns, the baby turns back to its side-facing position so the shoulders can come out.
  5. The rest of the body comes out with the shoulder. Forceps may be used to help.

The passage of such a large head and body is only possible through the massive dilation of the cervix, the stretch of the vagina, and the soft, malleable skull of the baby (a newborn’s head often looks conical and alien-shaped). Quite often, the opening of the vagina is not wide enough, and the opening may be cut open more to ensure it does not rip.

After the baby is safely delivered, the umbilical cord and the placenta are also delivered, thus ending the third stage (afterbirth). The cord is clamped and cut, and the baby is then thoroughly checked to ensure it is healthy and has no developmental issues.

Although in the past childbirth was extremely risky and often led to the death of the mother and/or baby in the process, nowadays protocols and health professionals ensure that both survive the procedure, thus ending the incredible 40-week journey until the birth of a new life. Only after understanding the arduous steps and the risks a mother takes to give birth to her child can one truly appreciate the value of life.

(Full series here: https://jineralknowledge.com/tag/arkrepro/?order=asc)

Posted in Science & Nature

From Cell To Birth: Sex

Posted on by Jinavie

The two copulatory organs are the penis and the vagina. Both are designed to maximise the chance of a new life being conceived.

The penis is normally flaccid, but when stimulated through touch or erotic images and thoughts, it can become stiffened to eight times its original size. Contrary to certain slang words, the penis contains no bones – it is merely a sponge.
When the brain signals the penis to become erect, the sponge is relaxed, letting blood flood in, filling it like a balloon. This combined with two muscles and the sheath enclosing the penis achieves the erection which is critical in sex.

The vagina is shaped to perfectly accommodate an erect penis, and receives the sperm that will eventually fertilise the egg. As sex involves the piston movement of the erect penis within the vagina, it is bound to suffer chafing. So nature developed Bartholin’s glands that produce a lubricant, smoothing the process.
The clitoris actually shares its origin with the penis, and thus swells when sexually excited. It is also extremely sensitive.

The goal of sex is simple – excite the penis enough for the man to achieve an orgasm (note that female orgasm is optional, but ideal, for conception). When a threshold is reached, the brain sends out strong signals to squeeze sperm out from the epididymis, and seminal fluid from the prostate and seminal vesicles. The combined fluid (semen) shoots through over half a metre of tube until it is ejaculated out.
The semen collects in the vagina, where the cervix laps up the semen and transports it into the uterus. From here, the sperm’s adventure begins, facing many troubles to conceive the egg at the end of the line.

(Full series here: https://jineralknowledge.com/tag/arkrepro/?order=asc)