Pregnancy & Childbirth

Early Signs of Pregnancy1. A missed or late menstrual

period (abnormal, lighter or shorter); often feels like a period is about to start

2. Positive test measured in 3 ways: Urine (most common), Pelvic Exam (check the size of the uterus), or a blood test (rarely used)

3. Tenderness and enlargement of breasts and darkening of the nipples

4. Nausea (“morning sickness”) and fatigue

5. Changes in appetite

6. Frequent urination

7. Moodiness

8. Weight Gain

BELIEFS VS. REALITY“A missed menstrual period is a sure sign of pregnancy.”

It is common for women to have irregular periods. A woman is not necessarily pregnant if she misses a period.

“It takes the entire 38 to 40 weeks for the major structures in a growing baby to develop.”

By the end of the first three months, all of the baby’s major body structures have formed.

“Drugs cannot cross the placenta into the baby during pregnancy.”

Most drugs can cross the placenta into the baby’s body.

“Pregnant women do not have to visit the doctor until the last three months of pregnancy.”

Regular doctor visits from the first sign of pregnancy are necessary to ensure the mother’s and baby’s healthPhysicians care during pregnancy costs between 4,500-

5,000 not including the cost of the delivery $$$$

Ways to Stay Healthy While Pregnant…

• Some ways to stay healthy before and during pregnancy include:

• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and other drugs.

• Maintain a nutritious diet.

• Take prenatal vitamins prescribed by a doctor.• Get regular, moderate amounts of exercise.

• Have medical conditions evaluated by a doctor.

• Schedule prenatal care visits throughout the pregnancy.

Average Pregnancy Weight Gain

• Baby=7• Amniotic Fluid=4• Uterus=2• Breasts=3• Blood,body fluids=3• Lean mass=3• Fat=3• Total=25 pounds

Sonogram

• Also known as ultrasound

• Uses sound waves to gather information such as age, defects, position, multiples, gender

More Sonogram Images

Twins!

• Identical Twins– Develop from a single

ovum and a single sperm, divides into two zygotes

– Always the same sex

• Fraternal Twins– Develop from separate ova

and are fertilized by two different sperm

– Can be same or different sex

– They don’t look alike

First Trimester

• Sexual intercourse is the reproductive process in which the penis is inserted into the vagina and through which a new human life may begin.

• From the vagina, sperm travel through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes, where fertilization normally occurs.

• After fertilization, the zygote travels to the uterus and embeds in the uterine wall.

• The developing human in the first 8 weeks of development is called an embryo.

First Trimester• The placenta is an organ that develops in the uterus. The placenta provides a developing baby with nutrients and removes waste. The umbilical cord connects the embryo to the placenta.

• In the first trimester the embryo grows rapidly. The heart starts beating, arm and leg buds appear, and the eyesand brain start to develop.

• By the end of the first trimester, all the major body parts and organs have formed and the baby is then calleda fetus.

Second Trimester

• By the end of the second trimester, facial features are apparent, and you can tell if the fetus is male or female.

• In the third trimester, the fetus gains most of its weight the baby is born.

Second Trimester• Quickening: fetal movements that can be felt

by the mother

• 5th month: fingernails and eyelashes

• 6th month: kicks & cries, can hear sounds, hiccup, suck its thumb

Stretch Marks (Yikes!)

Third Trimester

Lightening: when the baby begins to drop down in the uterus to prepare for birth

Birthing Options

• Natural: baby delivered without anesthetic – may involve Lamaze

• Traditional: baby delivered with drugs

Birthing Options

• Homebirth• Water Birth• Birthing Room• Birthing Chair• Cesarean (C section)

Cesarean Section

• Baby is delivered through the abdominal and uterine walls

Ectopic Pregnancy (Tubal)

• Implantation of the fertilized egg in the fallopian tubes• Females whom have or had an STD have a higher chance of

this problem. – The scaring from the STD inhibits the movement of the egg down the

fallopian tube, which results in implantation in the fallopian tubes. • Symptoms: Abdominal pain early in the pregnancy,

weakness, faintness• Can be life threatening –

cause arteries to rupture

• Surgery or medical treatment is required immediately

Abortion

• Spontaneous – Miscarriage

– Death of the fetus from natural complications before birth

– Symptom is usually irregular bleeding

• Induced– Purposely ending an

embryo or fetus life

– Due to complications, rape, other circumstances

Menopause

– Is a period of time in a woman’s life when she stops ovulating and menstruating.

– Estrogen and Progesterone levels fall and the body’s reproductive process slows down.

– Symptoms: • hot flashes, decrease in breast size, anxiety, sometimes

depression

– Men actually experience physical changes during middle adulthood

• Decline in their ability to reproduce, sex hormones and sperm production decrease

More Pregnancy and Childbirth Vocabulary…

• Gestation—the process of carrying a baby in the uterus when pregnant

• Amniotic Sac—a fluidlike sac surrounding the embryo

• Amniocentesis—simple diagnostic procedure in which a needle is inserted through the uterus to extract fluid from the amniotic sac.

• Contraction—muscles of the uterus “squeezing” as delivery nears; get stronger and closer together as labor progresses.

• Dilation—the widening of the cervix

• Episiotomy—a cut made on either side of the vagina to make it easier for the baby’s head to go through the vagina and prevent tearing during childbirth.

Pregnancy Vocabulary• Fertilization (conception): union of the sperm

and egg• Trimester: 3 equal 3 month segments of

pregnancy• Zygote: fertilized egg cell• Embryo: fertilized egg from the time of

implantation in uterus until 8 weeks• Fetus: 8 weeks until birth• Quickening: fetal movements that can be felt by

the mother