Ch. 28 Pregnancy and Human Development
Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott12th EditionMarieb Human Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138242732
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 The Human Body: An Orientation25
- Ch. 2 Chemistry Comes Alive24
- Ch. 3 Cells: The Living Units24
- Ch. 4 Tissue: The Living Fabric19
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System12
- Ch. 6 Bones and Skeletal Tissues19
- Ch. 7 The Skeleton14
- Ch. 8 Joints7
- Ch. 9 Muscles and Muscle Tissue26
- Ch. 10 The Muscular System25
- Ch. 11 Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue23
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System25
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System and Reflex Activity30
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System16
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses26
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System26
- Ch. 17 Blood27
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System: The Heart25
- Ch. 19 The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels27
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and Tissues16
- Ch. 21 The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses27
- Ch. 22 The Respiratory System21
- Ch. 23 The Digestive System31
- Ch. 24 Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance26
- Ch. 25 The Urinary System26
- Ch. 26 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance24
- Ch. 27 The Reproductive System24
- Ch. 28 Pregnancy and Human Development25
- Ch. 29 Heredity11
Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott12th EditionMarieb Human Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138242732Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 28, Problem 24
A woman in substantial pain called her doctor and explained (between sobs) that she was about to have her baby “right here.” The doctor calmed her and asked how she had come to that conclusion. She said that her water had broken and that her husband could see the baby’s head.
(a) Was she right? If so, what stage of labor was she in?
(b) Do you think that she had time to make it to the hospital 60 miles away? Why or why not?
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the stages of labor. Labor is divided into three main stages: the first stage involves cervical dilation and effacement, the second stage is the delivery of the baby (when the baby moves through the birth canal), and the third stage is the delivery of the placenta.
Step 2: Analyze the information given. The woman’s water has broken, which usually signals the start or progression of labor, and the husband can see the baby’s head, indicating that the baby is crowning and about to be delivered.
Step 3: Determine the stage of labor. Since the baby’s head is visible, this means the woman is in the second stage of labor, which is the pushing and delivery phase.
Step 4: Consider the timing and distance to the hospital. The second stage of labor can be quite rapid, especially once crowning occurs, often lasting from a few minutes to a couple of hours depending on various factors.
Step 5: Evaluate whether there is enough time to travel 60 miles. Given the advanced stage of labor (crowning), it is generally unsafe and unlikely that she could make it to the hospital in time, so immediate delivery at the current location is probable.
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Stages of Labor
Labor is divided into three stages: the first involves cervical dilation and effacement, the second is the delivery of the baby, and the third is the delivery of the placenta. The appearance of the baby's head indicates the second stage, where the baby moves through the birth canal.
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Signs of Imminent Delivery
When the water breaks and the baby's head is visible, it signals that delivery is imminent or in progress. This means the cervix is fully dilated, and the mother is actively pushing, indicating that birth is very near.
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Labor Duration and Travel Considerations
The length of labor varies, but once the baby’s head is visible, delivery usually occurs within minutes to an hour. Traveling 60 miles at this stage is risky because there is little time left before birth, and complications can arise if delivery happens en route.
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