Pregnancy and Childbirth

Oxytocin is released by posterior pituitary during parturition in response to foetus ejection reflex. It stimulates strong uterine muscle contraction forcing the fetus downwards during parturition. Oxytocin helps to initiate release of milk by mammary gland after child birth. The more a baby suckles, the more oxytocin is released leading to milk let down. Thus, the correct answer is D.

Trophoblast refers to outer cells of a blastocyst that serve in placenta formation in the beginning of the second trimester. It secretes human chorionic gonadotropin that ensures persistence of the corpus luteum. The later serves to secrete ovarian hormone estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin that are required to maintain pregnancy. Hence, removal of ovaries after 4th month would not affect the pregnancy. The correct answer is C.

The idea of "eating for two" is a myth; pregnant women only need a modest increase in calories (about 340 to 450 extra calories per day in the second and third trimesters), not double the amount of food.

During the final stages of pregnancy, extra nutrients are essential to support the rapid growth of the fetus. They also help develop maternal tissues like the uterus and placenta, and build fat stores to prepare the mother's body for lactation.

Folic acid is critical for the early development of the fetus's neural tube, which eventually forms the brain and spinal cord. Adequate intake significantly reduces the risk of serious birth defects such as spina bifida.

The umbilical cord connects a developing baby to the placenta in the mother's womb, delivering nutrients and oxygen. Once the baby is born, the cord is cut, leaving a stump that eventually falls off to form the belly button.

While oxytocin is crucial for maternal bonding during childbirth and breastfeeding, paternal oxytocin release typically increases through physical interaction and caregiving over time rather than an immediate spike upon first sight.

The placenta is the tissue within the ovary where ovules are attached. The space inside the ovary is known as the ovarian cavity or locule.

Small for Gestational Age (SGA) is clinically defined as an infant with a birth weight below the 10th percentile; severe SGA is defined as below the 3rd percentile.

SGA is defined as being below the 10th percentile, not above it. Therefore, the statement that a SGA baby is above the 10th percentile is false.

SGA stands for Small for Gestational Age, which describes a fetus or infant that is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy.

Fetal movement perception can be influenced by a variety of factors including the health of the fetus, maternal smoking, the position of the fetus, and the position of the placenta.

An anterior placenta is located on the front wall of the uterus, which can act as a cushion and make it more difficult for the mother to feel fetal movements compared to a posterior placenta.

Fetal breathing movements are a sign of fetal well-being and can typically be detected via ultrasound starting around 10 weeks of gestation.

While the fetus grows throughout pregnancy, the most significant weight gain occurs during the third trimester as the fetus prepares for birth.