FERTILIZATION AND PRENATAL

CARE

Fertilization After fertilization in the female's fallopian tube, the

nuclei of the sperm and egg fuse to form a new cell (the zygote). A fertilized ovum is called a zygote.

Once a sperm has fertilized the ovum a film immediately surrounds the zygote to prevent other sperm from penetrating.

Remaining Sperm die.

Usually takes place in the Fallopian Tubes

Fertilization Continued… After being fertilized the zygote then travels to

the uterus to implant it’s self in the uterine wall. Some occasions, an ectopic pregnancy may

occur, which means the implantation of the zygote occurred outside the uterus.

The most common site is within a Fallopian tube, however, it can occur:OvaryAbdomenthe lower portion of the uterus (the cervix).

Days 3 to 4 This cell contains 46 chromosomes, 23

from each parent cell.  As the zygote travels to the uterus, it

divides, forming a cluster of cells (morula) by about 3 days after fertilization.

The morula develops a cavity and is now known as a blastocyst, which will become the embryo. 

Days 4 to 5

Cell prepares itself to be implanted into the lining of the uterus

Endometrium becomes thick and spongy to prepare for implantation.

Within the cell cover of the blastocyst's cavity, it then develops into a fluid- filled sac covering the embryo, and the yolk sac. 

Days 7 to 8 The blastocyst is completely imbedded into the

endometrium, and forms the placenta. 

Now the cell is called the embryo.

About the size of the dot over an i

Cells divide until three layers for baby’s organ. The outer layer grows into the baby's skin and nerves. The middle layer grows into cartilage, bones, connective tissues,

muscles, the circulatory system, kidneys, and sex organs. The inner layer grows into the organs of breathing and digestion.

At 22 days the baby's heart begins to beat.

The Embryo, Placenta, and Umbilical Cord

Definitions Amnion – (bags of water) membrane that

forms around the developing embryo Acts as a shock absorber to protect embryo.

Placenta- Forms along the lining of the uterus. Blood enriched tissue that transfers oxygen and

nutrients from mother’s blood Serves as lungs, liver, kidneys, endocrine

glands, and digestive system for the developing embryo.

Blood of the mother and embryo never mix.○ So body will not reject baby as foreign organism.○ Oxygen, nutrients, and waste “pass through”

Umbilical Cord – made up of blood vessels About 20 inches in length Connects placenta to mother’s blood vessels

Definitions Continued……

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)- Secreted by the placentaStimulates production of estrogen and

progesterone.○ Helps maintain lining of the uterus.○ Prevents ovulation from occurring.

Determining Pregnancy Doctor’s Office / Lab

Check for HCG○ Present in the mother’s urine.○ Detectable as early as one week after first missed

periodRadioimmunoassay

○ Can detect HCG up to one week before period is to begin.

Internal Examination○ Cervical Changes○ Size of the uterus

Home Pregnancy TestsMeasures HCG“Negatives” tend to be less reliable than

“Positives”

Determining Pregnancy Cont….

Prenatal Care Doctor’s Visit

As soon as possibleDr. does internal as well as bloodMonitors baby’s developmentMonitors mothers health behaviorsEating habits and vitamins discussed.

Fetal Alcohol SyndromeCan cause physical, mental, and behavioral abnormalities

○ Babes are shorter and lighter○ Impaired Speech○ Mental Retardation○ Hyperactivity○ Poor Conditiion

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Can Cause birth defects

Cleft Palate○ Facial Abnormalities○ Heart Defects

•Alcohol drunk by the mother is passed directly to the baby

• Baby can become drunk• Can be born addicted to alcohol• Baby cannot rid itself of alcohol

for a long period of time

• Where does the alcohol pass through to the baby??????

Smoking Greater chance of premature birth Lower birth rate Smokers are 2 times more likely to have a miscarriage or

stillbirth Both stillbirth and miscarriage are types of pregnancy loss, but they

differ by when the loss occurs. A miscarriage (sometimes called a spontaneous abortion) is when a baby dies before the 20th week of pregnancy. Stillbirth is the death of a baby after the 20th week of pregnancy but before delivery.

Also at risk from passive smoking. Each year in the United States about 25,000 babies, or 68

babies every day, are born still.

Responsibility of the Mother

Get prenatal care early. Go to all your regularly scheduled doctor appointments.

Eat a well-balanced diet. Continue to take a multivitamin to be sure that mother and baby both get the nutrients they need.

Gain enough weight, but not too much. Money

Costs of Having a Baby The costs of raising a baby to age 18 costs

between $125,000-$250,000 and that's not including college tuition!

In your baby's first year alone, you can easily spend between $9,000-$11,000 diapers, formula, baby furniture, clothing, baby

gear, etc. Two things that can save you money right

off is deciding to use cloth diapers, using 2nd hand items and breastfeeding.