Placental expulsion
Placental Expulsion
Placental expulsion (/pləˈsɛntəl ɪkˈspʌlʃən/), also known as the third stage of labor, refers to the period following the birth of the baby when the placenta is delivered. The term originates from the Latin words 'placenta' meaning 'cake' and 'expulsio' meaning 'to drive out'.
Process
The process of placental expulsion begins after the baby is born and ends when the placenta is delivered. This stage is initiated by the contraction of the uterus, which helps to separate the placenta from the uterine wall. Once the placenta is separated, it is expelled from the uterus through the vagina. This process typically takes between 5 to 30 minutes but can last up to an hour.
Related Terms
- Birth: The process of childbirth, from the start of contractions to the delivery of the placenta.
- Placenta: An organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, providing oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
- Uterus: A female reproductive organ where the baby develops during pregnancy.
- Vagina: The female reproductive organ that connects the uterus to the outside of the body.
Complications
Complications can arise during placental expulsion, such as a retained placenta, where the placenta or parts of it remain in the uterus after delivery. This can lead to postpartum hemorrhage, a potentially life-threatening condition. Treatment options include manual removal of the placenta or a D&C procedure.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Placental expulsion
- Wikipedia's article - Placental expulsion
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski