Post created by Brittany
Recently I have been watching The Resident, a medical tv show on Hulu that debuted in 2018. This medical drama interfaces many aspects of the medical world including the run in the mil car accident to a severe surgery that may or may not be lifesaving. I chose this show as there are many modern-day traumas that we can relate to in our society.
During one episode that I recently watched, one particular patient named Adaku was delivering her baby after struggling through two rounds of breast cancer. I can relate this scenario to our current anatomy class as we recently briefly studied positive feedback. This example of positive feedback is when a female is giving birth and going through the stages of delivery. When we look at positive feedback we immediately think of a break or a tear that occurs in the blood vessel wall. We also think of things like platelets that release chemicals which then attract more platelets. Then once the platelet plug is formed the stages of positive feedback are over. When you look at a diagram of a baby being pushed out you have four stages. Number one is the stretching of the cervix which causes the nerve impulses to be sent to the brain. Then you have the brain that stimulates the pituitary gland to release oxytocin. Third, you have the oxytocin that causes the uterus to contract. Finally, you have the baby being pushed against the cervix causing it to stretch. This system of positive feedback is a pillar of the balance and imbalance system or the control center which is the thermoregulatory for the brain. You have receptors and effectors and efferent vs afferent.
During this episode, the mom was going through the stages of delivery. It was a bit more complicated as she was in remission from cancer which meant she had to be watched a lot more closely. Through the episode Adaku is balancing her control center as much as she can. She has to use her strength and push through each stage of delivery. Complications arose throughout her delivery process causing her to have a C section. Her baby was delivered in the OR and the mom started having heart defects. The mom underwent two surgeries back to back causing her an enormous amount of stress and strain on her body. She was put into a coma and fortunately awoke a few days later to a beautiful baby girl.
Throughout her birthing process, the contractions took a long time which was the cause due to her oxytocin levels causing her uterus to contract. The cervix will efface and dilate which causes the contractions to become stronger and more frequent.
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