. Obstetrics for nurses. ed chemical messen-gers or hormones. The Uterus.—This organundergoes . the greatest al-teration during the non-pregnant condi-tion it is to centi-meters (2Vr, to SVs inches)long and weighs 40 grams(P/g ounces), whereas atthe end of pregnancy it centimeters (14 inches)long and weighs 1000 grams(*^Vr, pounds) when has been estimated thatthe capacity of its cavity isincreased over five hundred times, from about cubic centimeters (1^/^ drams) to 4000 cubic centi-meters (over 4 quarts). The uterus is essentially a muscular organ andi
. Obstetrics for nurses. ed chemical messen-gers or hormones. The Uterus.—This organundergoes . the greatest al-teration during the non-pregnant condi-tion it is to centi-meters (2Vr, to SVs inches)long and weighs 40 grams(P/g ounces), whereas atthe end of pregnancy it centimeters (14 inches)long and weighs 1000 grams(*^Vr, pounds) when has been estimated thatthe capacity of its cavity isincreased over five hundred times, from about cubic centimeters (1^/^ drams) to 4000 cubic centi-meters (over 4 quarts). The uterus is essentially a muscular organ andits great increase in weight and size is due primarily to a hypertrophyof the existing muscle, but in part also to the formation of new muscularfibers during the first three or four months of pregnancy. Its increasedcapacity is necessitated by the growth of the inclosed fetus and even-tually leads to a gradual thinning of the muscular walls until at termthey do not exceed millimeters (V5 inch) in thickness. As preg-. FiG. 39.—Composite to show differencein profile of pregnant woma n before and afterlightening has occurred. (Bumm.) 62 TEXTBOOK OF OBSTETRICS FOR NURSES nancy advances, the walls likewise become much less firm, and, in thelatter months, are so soft and yielding, that the parts of the fetus canbe distinctly felt and the fetal movements readily seen through theabdominal wall. The original pear-shape of the organ is retained for about twomonths, after which it becomes progressively more globular. Laterit grows more rapidly in length and becomes ovoid in outline, to accom-modate the fetus. The cervix changes relatively little; it increases slightly in size andbecomes markedly softened because of the augmented blood supply. Thesecretion of the cervical glands is more profuse and accounts in partfor the increased vaginal secretion noted during pregnancy. In the early months the anteflexion of the uterus is accentuated,but, after it has emerged from the pe
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectobstetrics, bookyear1
