North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the North American Registry of Midwives Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to excel!

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How does "stripping the membranes" aid in stimulating uterine contractions?

It increases maternal blood pressure
It releases a surge of prostaglandins into maternal circulation
It provides immediate pain relief
It enhances the fetal heart rate

The correct answer is: It releases a surge of prostaglandins into maternal circulation

Stripping the membranes, a procedure often performed during labor, helps to stimulate uterine contractions primarily by releasing a surge of prostaglandins into maternal circulation. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that play a critical role in the process of labor by causing the cervix to soften and dilate, as well as promoting uterine contractions. When the membranes surrounding the amniotic sac are stripped away from the cervix, it can trigger the release of these prostaglandins, which can lead to the onset or enhancement of labor. The other options do not accurately describe the mechanism by which stripping the membranes operates. Increasing maternal blood pressure, providing immediate pain relief, or enhancing the fetal heart rate are not direct outcomes associated with the procedure. Instead, the focus is on the activation of prostaglandins, which effectively influences uterine activity and can potentially lead to more effective labor progress.