A new mother experiences strong uterine contractions while breast-feeding her baby. She excitedly rings for the nurse. When the nurse arrives the mother tells her, "Something is wrong. This is like…

Question

Options

• A"Your breasts are secreting a hormone that enters your bloodstream and causes your abdominal
• B"Prolactin increases the blood supply to your uterus, and you are feeling the effects of this blood
• C"The same hormone that is released in response to the baby's sucking, causing milk to flow, also
• D"There is probably a small blood clot or placental fragment in your uterus, and your uterus is

• A
  2% (1)
• C
  94% (44)
• D
  4% (2)

Explanation

(A) Mammary growth as well as milk production and maintenance in the breast occur in response to hormones produced primarily by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. (B) Prolactin stimulates thealveolar cells of the breast to produce milk. It is important in the initiation of breast-feeding. (C) Oxytocin, which is released by the posterior pituitary, stimulates the let-down reflex by contraction of themyoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli. In addition, it causes contractions of the uterus and uterine involution. (D) Afterpains may occur with retained placental fragments. A boggy uterus and continued bleeding are other symptoms that occur in response to retained placental fragments.

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