Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Pregnancy and Childbirth
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The Beginning of the Life Cycle

• Fertilization or Conception
• the process of the sperm cell joining with the
  egg.
• This process occurs in the fallopian tube and
  within seconds, the surface of the egg changes so
  that no more sperm can enter the egg.

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The Beginning of the Life Cycle

• Zygote
• the united egg and sperm. The zygote travels
  through the fallopian tube and begins to divide.
• Embryo
• the two-cell stage that lasts about 9 weeks
  after fertilization.

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The Beginning of the Life Cycle

• Blastocyst
• a hollow, spherical structure made up of 50-100
  cells, formed when an embryo divides and grows.
• After 5 days after fertilization, the blastocyst
  has reached the uterus.
•  
• Implantation
• the process in which the blastocyst attaches
  itself to the wall of the uterus.

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Development in the Uterus

• After implantation, development continues in the
  uterus.
• Three structures-the amniotic sac, placenta, and
  umbilical cord-protect and nourish the developing
  embryo, and later the fetus.

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Development in the Uterus

• Amniotic Sac
• fluid filled bag of thin tissue. The sac
  continues to grow in size as the embryo grows.
• Inside the sac, the embryo floats
• in amniotic fluid.
• Placenta
• the structure that holds the embryo to the wall
  of the uterus.
• Within the placenta, oxygen and nutrients move
  from the mothers blood into tiny blood vessels
  that lead to the embryo.

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Development in the Uterus

• Umbilical Cord
• the ropelike structure that connects the embryo
  and the placenta.
• This cord is the embryos lifeline.
• It carries nutrients and oxygen from the placenta
  to the embryo and wastes from the embryo to the
  placenta.

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Development in the Uterus

• The Growing Embryo
• during the first 2 months of development, the
  major body systems and organs start to form.
• By the end of these 8 weeks, the embryo is about
  an inch long.

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Development in the Uterus

• The Fetus
• a developing human from the third month until
  birth.
• During these months, the fetus begins to move and
  kick.
• The size of the fetus will also increase
  significantly.
• By the end of the ninth month, the fetus is ready
  to be born.

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Development in the Uterus
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A Healthy Pregnancy

• Proper nutrition consuming about 300 more
  calories a day
• Important nutrients folic acid, protein,
  calcium, iron, vitamin A and B complex
• Exercise

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A Healthy Pregnancy

• Avoid alcohol and other drugs (tobacco, OTC,
  prescription, and illegal drugs)
• Avoid environmental hazards (x-rays, lead,
  mercury and cat litter)
• Prenatal Care
• medical care during pregnancy

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Prenatal Care

• Ultrasound
• high-frequency sound waves used to create an
  image of a developing fetus.
• This allows the doctor to tell the age of the
  fetus, whether it is a boy or a girl and if the
  heart, muscles, and bones are developing
  normally.
• Chronic Villus Sampling (CVS)
• a prenatal test in which a piece of the
  developing placenta is removed to detect
  inherited disorders in the embryo.

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Prenatal Care

• Amniocentesis
• a prenatal test in which a small amount of
  amniotic fluid is removed and tested for
  abnormalities.
• CVS and Amniocentesis are both optional tests
  that are performed when the fetus is at high risk
  for a genetic disorder or if the mother is over
  the age of 35.

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Complications during Pregnancy

• Ectopic pregnancy
• the blastocyst implants in the fallopian tube
  instead of the uterus.
• Miscarriage
• the death of an embryo or fetus in the first 20
  weeks of pregnancy.

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Complications during Pregnancy

• Preeclampsia
• a serious condition characterized by high blood
  pressure, swelling of the wrists and ankles, and
  high levels of protein in the urine.
• This condition can prevent the fetus from getting
  enough oxygen.
•  

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Complications during Pregnancy

• Gestational Diabetes
• diabetes that develops in pregnant women.
• It is marked by high blood sugar levels in the
  mother and excess blood sugar can pass to the
  fetus, which could cause the fetus to grow too
  large and increase the risk of a difficult birth.

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ChildbirthThe Birth Process

• Labor
• the work performed by the mothers body to push
  the fetus out.
• May last from about 2-24 hours or longer
• Strong contractions of the uterus cause the
  cervix to dilate
• Contractions may be minutes apart, lasting 30-90
  seconds
• Near the end of this stage, the amniotic sac
  breaks and the cervix becomes softer and wide
  enough (10 cm) for the fetus to pass through

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ChildbirthThe Birth Process

• Delivery of the Baby
• This stage can take from half an hour to more
  than 2 hours
• Contractions of the uterus continue
• Appearance of the head first, known as crowning

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ChildbirthThe Birth Process

• The baby is pushed out
• Umbilical cord is cut and clamped
• Babys nose and mouth are suctioned to remove
  mucus
• Eye drops are given to prevent infection

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ChildbirthThe Birth Process

• Delivery of the Afterbirth
• Contractions of the uterus push out the remainder
  of the umbilical cord and the placenta
• This stage typically takes about 15-30 minutes

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Postpartum Period

• a period of adjustment for the parents and their
  newborn that occurs for the first 6 weeks after
  the birth.
• Changes for the newborn
• Lungs are functioning for the first time
• Baby is now getting oxygen from the air
• Nervous system is experiencing new sensations
• Bonding with mother and father

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Postpartum Period

• Changes for the mother
• Hormone levels signal the breasts to produce milk
  and cause the uterus to gradually shrink back to
  its normal size.
• Hormone changes and fatigue can cause feelings of
  being overwhelmed or sadness.
• Extreme sadness or withdrawal from the baby that
  lasts longer is known as postpartum depression.

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Complications at Birth

• Stillbirth
• occurs when a fetus dies and is expelled from the
  body after the twentieth week of pregnancy.
• Cesarean Section
• is a surgical method of birth.
• The doctor makes an incision in the lower abdomen
  into the uterus. The baby and placenta are then
  removed.

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Complications at Birth

• Premature birth
• delivery of a live baby before the 37th week of
  pregnancy.
• Low birthweight
• a newborn that weighs less than 5.5 pounds at
  birth.
• Premature and low birthweight babies face an
  increased risk of health problems.
•  

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Multiple Births

• Identical Twins
• Are twins that develop from a single fertilized
  egg.
• The embryo divides into two identical embryos.
• Identical twins have the same inherited traits
  and are the same sex.

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Multiple Births

• Fraternal Twins
• When two eggs are released from the ovary and are
  fertilized by two sperm.
• Fraternal twins are no more alike than any other
  siblings, and they may or may not be the same
  sex.

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Multiple Births

• Triplets or More
• Triplets, quadruplets, and other multiple births
  are less common than twins.
• The number of births with three or more babies
  has increased over the last 25 years.