❌ and ❌ concentration within the uterus causes an increase in the expression of Calcium and ❌ channels, which dampens the electrical activity.

Cell-to-cell gap junctions are present in ❌ density, indicating poor coupling and limited electrical conduction between the cells. The fragmented bursts of irregular, poorly coordinated, low electrical activity that occurs over ❌ is known as ❌ contractions (initially described by ❌).

30th Week of Pregnancy:
The uterus ❌ and displaces the intestines ❌.
Caecum and appendix (which have been moving upwards from 12 weeks) now reach the ❌.
The abdominal wall supports the ❌ and maintains the relation between the long axis of the uterus and the axis of the ❌ outlet.
In the ❌ position, the uterus falls back to rest on the ❌ column, the ❌ and the ❌.

In ❌ women, during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy the low intensity ❌ contractions cause a shortening of the ❌ segment in preparation for ❌.

The contractile upper segment of the corpus pulls the ❌ open over the presenting part converting it into a thinned out ❌ to develop into the lower uterine segment.

This is clinically detected when the previously ‘❌’ presenting part becomes fixed in the ❌ outlet. In multigravida women the lower uterine segment usually develops in early labour.

In all case, the isthmus changes from a sphincter into a thinned out tendon-like structure that ❌ open.

❌ increases blood supply to the cervix which results ❌ and softer ❌.

The cervical mucosa proliferates and the glands become more complex and secrete ❌ which forms a plug (known as the ❌), which protects the cervix from ascending ❌.

The ❌ held laterally by projections of thickened mucus in the mouths of the ❌.

When ❌ is released it is known as ❌ at the onset of ❌ when the ❌ starts to be drawn up to form the lower uterine segment.
(Coad & Dunstall, 2011)

Frequency of Micturition: There is an increase in the reabsorption of ❌ and ❌, which increases the need to urinate at night. This is called ❌. During the day the excess water is trapped in the ❌ because of the ❌.

When a woman lies down at night, the pressure on the large veins is ❌ and there is an increase in ❌, cardiac ❌, which results in and ❌ in urinary output, particularly in the ❌ position.

There is also an increased risk of ❌ due to ❌’s effect on ureteric smooth muscle. This may cause ❌

At least ❌ of women may experience backache in pregnancy.

The ❌ should try to find the cause so can seek or advise appropriate ❌.

❌ can be a contributing factor resulting in ❌ with overstretched abdominal ❌ and strained ❌ muscles.

The relaxing effect of ❌ on the pelvic ligaments allows the movement of ❌ and ❌ joints.

Relaxin may make ❌ unstable as they try to support the ❌ of pregnancy.

To help with the symptoms of heartburn, the woman can be advised to ❌ in an ❌ position after meals, to sleep in a ❌ position, eat ❌ frequent means and to reduce the quantity of ❌ foods and gastric irritants (eg ❌).

❌ may also be considered where lifestyle and dietary modifications are not effective in relieving symptoms