UPSC Civil Services Model Paper 7

The process of delivery of the foetus (childbirth) is called parturition .
Parturition is induced by a complex neuroendocrine mechanism .
Hence statement 1 is correct.
The signals for parturition originate from the fully developed foetus and the placenta which induce mild uterine contractions called foetal ejection reflex.
This triggers the release of oxytocin from the maternal pituitary.
Oxytocin acts on the uterine muscle and causes stronger uterine contractions , which in turn stimulates the further secretion of oxytocin.
The stimulatory reflex between the uterine contraction and oxytocin secretion continues resulting in stronger and stronger contractions.
This leads to the expulsion of the baby out of the uterus through the birth canal – parturition.
Soon after the infant is delivered, the placenta is also expelled out of the uterus.
The mammary glands of the female undergo differentiation during pregnancy and start producing milk towards the end of pregnancy by the process called lactation .
This helps the mother in feeding the newborn.
The milk produced during the initial few days of lactation is called colostrum which contains several antibodies absolutely essential to develop resistance for the new-born babies. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Breast-feeding during the initial period of infant growth is recommended by doctors for bringing up a healthy baby.