Pregnancy and Childbirth

Journal: Think, Pair, Share…

1. Answer the following questions in your journal.

2. Discuss with classmate – write down any more responses you came up with.

3. Write an idea(s) for each question on board under the appropriate category.

1. To me, a family is…2. When it comes to

planning a family – or just letting it happen – I think married couples should…

3. I think the nicest thing about having a baby would be…

4. When a women is pregnant, she should…

5. What I know about childbirth is…

6. After a baby is born, the parents’ responsibilities are…

7. Babies are able to… But they cannot yet…8. Toddlers can…

but they cannot yet…9. Young children are

able to…but they cannot yet…

10. It takes _____? to raise a child…

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.

The Beginning of the Life CycleZygote• the united egg and sperm. The zygote

travels through the fallopian tube and begins to divide.

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.

The Beginning of the Life Cycle

Embryo• the two-cell stage that lasts about 9

weeks after fertilization.

Implantation• the process in which the blastocyst

attaches itself to the wall of the uterus.

Fetal 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.

Fetal 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 mother’s blood into tiny blood vessels that lead to the embryo.

Development in the UterusUmbilical Cord• the ropelike structure that

connects the embryo and the placenta.

• This cord is the embryo’s lifeline. • It carries nutrients and oxygen

from the placenta to the embryo and wastes from the embryo to the placenta.

• Average umbilical cord is 55 cm long, with a diameter of 1-2 cm 

Development in the UterusThe 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.

Development in the UterusThe 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.

Development in the Uterus

A Week by Week Pregnancy

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

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

Prenatal CareUltrasound • 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Complications during Pregnancy

Jaundice• A common condition in newborns.• Refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the

eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.

• Physiological (normal) jaundice: occurring in most newborns, this mild jaundice is due to the immaturity of the baby's liver, which leads to a slow processing of bilirubin. It generally appears at 2 to 4 days of age and disappears by 1 to 2 weeks of age. Unusually high levels of bilirubin can cause deafness, or other forms of brain damage in some babies.

• In mild or moderate levels of jaundice, by 1 to 2 weeks of age the baby will take care of the excess bilirubin on its own. For high levels of jaundice, phototherapy — treatment with a special light that helps rid the body of the bilirubin by altering it or making it easier for your baby's liver to get rid of it — may be used.

Complications during Pregnancy

Nuchal Cord • Occurs when the umbilical cord becomes wrapped around the neck[360 degrees.• Nuchal cords are very common, with prevalence rates of 6% to 37%. Up to half of nuchal cords resolve before delivery.• Ultrasounds have become increasingly sophisticated and many of these conditions are being diagnosed in utero.

3 Stages of ChildbirthThe Birth Process

Stage 1: Labor • the work performed by the mother’s 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

ChildbirthThe Birth Process

Stage 2: 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

ChildbirthThe Birth Process

• The baby is pushed out

• Umbilical cord is cut and clamped• Baby’s nose and mouth are suctioned to

remove mucus• Eye drops are given to prevent infection • Baby’s heel is pricked for a blood sample.

ChildbirthThe Birth Process

Stage 3: 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

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

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.

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. • This method can be the family’s choice of delivery or

what is called an emergency “cesarean section” or “C-Section”.

• The doctor makes an incision in the lower abdomen into the uterus. The baby and placenta are then removed.

Complications at BirthPremature 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.

Complications during ChildbirthBreech Birth• In the “breech” position the baby enters

the birth canal with the buttocks or feet first as opposed to the normal head first position. ad fir

• This position presents some hazards to the baby during the process of birth.

• Though vaginal birth is possible for the breech baby, certain fetal and maternal factors influence the safety of vaginal breech birth, so the majority of breech babies born in the United States are delivered by Caesarean.

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.

Multiple BirthsFraternal 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.

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.