Course 2
Birth
Historical Notes
Modern Childbirth
Labor and Delivery
After Delivery
Lactation
Sexual Intercourse
Lactation
分娩

哺乳期

A: 嬰兒的吸吮發送神經衝動到腦。B: 其結果是,催乳素被釋放到血液裏。C:催乳素刺激乳房分泌乳汁。

分娩以後不久,母親的乳房產生水樣液體,稱為初乳(colostrum)。初乳對新生兒似乎有提高其免疫力的作用。約3天后,初乳由乳汁所替換。乳汁的產生叫泌乳(lactation,自拉丁語:lac=乳汁)。嬰兒的吸吮刺激釋放催乳素(prolactin),該激素依次誘導乳房分泌乳汁。為孩子哺乳的母親能夠以這種方式產生乳汁達數月。在分娩後的許多月份裏,由於體內一些激素改變的原因,大多數哺乳期的婦女會停止排卵(並因此而停經)。顯然,這也就意味著同時不會發生懷孕。可是,夫妻們不應該指望這種自然保護機制而想避孕。哺乳不是避孕的替代措施。對於一位哺乳的婦女來說,當她在讓自己的孩子吸吮乳房時,產生性喚起是完全正常的。無論如何沒有理由為此而變得心慌意亂或驚慌失措。正好相反,因為這種生理反應有著重要的生理和心理功能,應該自得其樂才是。                                                                                                                            
Birth

Lactation

Immediately after birth, the mother's breasts produce a watery fluid called colostrum which seems to have some immunizing effect on the baby. About three days later, this fluid is replaced by milk. The production of milk is called lactation (from Latin lac: milk). The baby’s suckling stimulates the release of the hormone prolactin which, in turn, induces the breasts to secrete their milk. Mothers who nurse their children are able to do so for many months. Most women stop ovulating (and therefore menstruating) during the first few months because of certain hormonal changes in the body. Obviously, this also means that, in the same period, no new conception can take place. However, couples should not count on this natural protection." Nursing a baby is no substitute for contraception. It is quite normal for a woman to become sexually aroused while she has her child suckling on her breast. There is no reason whatsoever to become upset or alarmed about this. On the contrary, the experience should be enjoyed as it serves important physiological and psychological functions.

Illustration: A: The baby’s suckling sends nerve impulses to the brain. B: As a result, the hormone prolactin is released into the bloodstream. C: Prolactin stimulates the breasts to secrete milk.

[Course 2] [Description] [How to use it] [Introduction] [Conception] [Pregnancy] [Birth] [Historical Notes] [Modern Childbirth] [Labor and Delivery] [After Delivery] [Lactation] [Sexual Intercourse] [Infertility] [Contraception] [Abortion] [Additional Reading] [Examination]