This litter is 2 days old.
Farrowing is another name for parturition , or giving birth.
Cortisol stimulates both maternal prolactin release and fetal placental estrogen production and also release of PGF-2a with luteolysis, and release of relaxin. Relaxin release from luteal cells causes cervical relaxation. Progesterone levels drop beginning 24 hours prepartum, and myometrial activity begins to increase. Oxytocin receptors have been increasing in the uterus under increasing estrogen levels. Behaviorally, the sow shows increased restlessness and inappetance with nesting behavior.