Pregnancy and Birth

Pregnancy and Birth

The Beginning of the life cycleFertilization / ConceptionWhen the males sperm enters the females egg1 sperm / 1 eggWithin seconds of fertilization, the surface of the egg changes so that no more sperm may enter the egg

ZygoteThe united egg and spermWithin 36 hours, while the zygote is in the fallopian tube, it begins to divide

Cell DivisionThe original cell divides to make 2 cells2 44 88 16, etc.From the 2 cell stage until about 9 weeks after fertilization, the growing structure is called an embryo

The Blastocyst5 days after fertilization, the embryo reaches the uterusFloats free50 to 100 cellsBlastocyst sphere ofcells surrounding a hollow center

ImplantationOnce the blastocyst forms, it implants itself in the uterus implantation

Development in the UterusAmniotic SacAfter implantation, a fluid-filled bag of thin tissue called the amniotic sac develops around the embryoIt grows as theembryo growsEmbryo floats in amniotic fluid

PlacentaThe attachment that holds the embryo to the wall of the uterusHere, oxygen and nutrients move from the mothers blood into the embryoDangerous substances can pass from mother to embryo, tooAlcohol, drugs, chemicals

Umbilical Cord25 daysRopelike structureConnects embryo to placentaThe embryos lifelineCarry nutrients and oxygen from the placenta to the embryoCarry wastes from the embryo to the placenta

The Growing EmbryoDuring the first 2 months:Major body systems and organs formHeart, Blood vessels, Kidneys, Endocrine glandsAt the end of 2 months:Embryo is an inch longRecognizable external featuresEyes, ears, arms, legsHead makes up 50% of embryoThe FetusFrom the 3rd month until birth, the developing human is called a fetus3rd to 6th months begins to kickSkeleton and muscles are developingNervous system maturesSense organs begin functioningFetus becomes sensitive to light and soundAlternates periods of activity with sleepThe Fetus7th to 9th monthsBody size increases; more proportionateBody fat accumulatesEyelids open and closeEnd of 9th monthFetus is ready to be bornWorksheet Word BankFertilizationBlastocystFertilizationEarly Cell DivisionBlastocyst & ImplantationLate Cell DivisionEmbryoCervixVaginaAmniotic SacDeveloping PlacentaAmniotic FluidUterine WallUmbilical CordA healthy pregnancyStaying Healthy During PregnancyProper nutritioneating for twoExerciseBetter meet the energy needs of carrying a babyAvoiding alcohol and other drugsHarm, kill, decrease chance to live, lifelong problemsAvoiding environmental hazardsX-rays, lead, mercury (fish), cat litter (parasites)Prenatal CareMedical care during pregnancyObstetrician doctor specialized in pregnancy and childbirthThe chances of having a healthy baby greatly increases with regular doctor checkups throughout pregnancy3 TrimestersPregnancy is divided into 3 periods of timeEach is about 3 months long

1st trimester 0-3 months2nd trimester 3-6 months3rd trimester 6-9 monthsMonitoring ToolsUltrasoundHigh-frequency sound waves that produce an image of the fetusChorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)At 8 weeks, dr. removes part of the placenta to check for abnormalities/diseaseAmniocentesis14-16 weeks, inserting a needle in the abdomen and uterus to remove amniotic fluid to test for abnormalities

ComplicationsEctopic pregnancyBlastocyst implants in the fallopian tube, not the uterusMiscarriageDeath of embryo or fetus in first 20 weeksPreeclampsiaHigh BP, swelling of wrists & ankles, high levels of protein in urine prevents fetus from getting O2Gestational diabetes Developing diabetes while pregnantchildbirthThe Birth ProcessLaborDelivery of the babyDelivery of the afterbirthLaborWork performed by the mothers body to push the fetus out2 to 24 hours or longerUterus contracts, causing the cervix to increase in width, or dilateAmniotic sac will breakCervix becomes softer and wider too allow the fetus to pass throughDelivery of BabyActual birth, or delivery of babyLasts 30 minutes to more than 2 hoursBaby usually exits head first through vaginaOnce the baby is out:Dr. clamps and cuts the umbilical cordBabys nose & mouth are suctioned to remove mucus and make it easier to breathEye drops are given to prevent infectionInjection of vitamin K to prevent excess bleeding from umbilical cordDelivery of AfterbirthThough the baby is born, the birth process is not completeUterus contractions push out the placenta15 to 30 minutes

Complications at BirthSurgical deliveryPremature birthLow birth weightBirth of more than one babySurgical DeliverySometimes delivery through the cervix and vagina is not possible due to the position of the fetus or the narrowness of the mothers hipsIllness or other conditions that make vaginal delivery dangerous for mother and/or babyCesarean Section Surgical method of birthDoctor makes an incision in the lower abdomen into the uterusThen removes the fetus and placentaPremature BirthBaby is born before it is fully developedBefore the 37th week of pregnancyEarlier birth more problems Lungs are usually not developedReceive care in an incubator

Low Birth WeightLess than 5.5 poundsMay also be prematureMay be full-term, just didnt grow enough before birthIncreased risk of health problems as a newborn, chronic lifelong problems, deathMultiple BirthsThe delivery of more than one babyTwinsTripletsQuadrupletsCarry greater risk to mother and babiesIdentical TwinsDevelop from single fertilized eggEmbryo divides into 2 identical embryosBecause they divide from identical embryos, they have the same inherited traits and are the same sex

Fraternal TwinsSometimes 2 eggs are released from the ovary and fertilized by 2 spermFraternal twins are no morealike than any other siblingsMay or may not be the same sex

Triplets or MoreLess common than twinsNumber of cases has dramatically increased in the last 25 years