Chapter 11

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Pregnancy and Prenatal Development

11:1

Pregnancy is the condition of carrying a developing child within the uterus It begins with conception and implantation

Pregnancy

Conception occurs when one sperm and one egg unite and chromosome combine this is called a zygote

A five day old zygote is called a blastocyte and attaches itself to the uterine wall Two groups of cells form, one will be the

placenta and the other the baby Two different eggs fertilized will result in

fraternal twins Identical twins result wen a single fertilized

egg divides into two identical zygotes

Pregnancy

Missed menstrual cycle Feel very tired Morning sickness

Signs of Pregnancy

Test in doctor’s office most accurate Six to eight weeks into pregnancy a pelvic

examination by doctor will help confirm the pregnancy

Proper Prenatal care The first three months are the most critical for

proper development of a growing baby

Pregnancy Test

The prenatal period is the time from conception until birth 9 calendar months or 280 days

The first two months the growing baby is called an embryo

The last seven months it is called a fetus

Prenatal Development

The embryo’s support system consists of four parts:1. The amniotic sac2. Amniotic fluid3. Placenta4. Umbilical cord

The support Systems

The amniotic sac is a membrane that surrounds and protects the baby until birth

Amniotic Fluid Protect against injury Provides an even temperature Enables the fetus to move easily Aids in the birth of the baby

The Amniotic Sac and Fluid

The placenta is an organ in which the mother’s blood vessels meet with the baby’s. The mother’s and baby’s blood do not mix

instead oxygen and nutrient pass through the walls

Waste pass from baby to mother It breathes, digest nutrients and excretes

waste for the baby

The Placenta

The placenta connects to the embryo by the umbilical cord The flow of blood through the cord keeps it

untangled

The Umbilical Cord

Specific development Heart, eyes, ears, hand and feet

Poor nutrition and harmful substances can adversely affect the development during this stage Extremely critical period in the formation of

the growing embryo

The Embryo Stage

From the 3rd month to birth Organs grow and function and systems

develop and work together Premature born before development is

complete By the 9th month the fetus has reached full

term and and is ready to be born

The Fetal Stage

Prenatal Care 11:2

Obstetrician-gynecologist Family practitioner Certified nurse-midwife

Sources of Health Care

AFP screening – blood test done between week 15th and 18th week Measure the amount of alphafetoprotein

Ultrasound Amniocentesis

Testing for Birth Defects

Diet high in folate or folic acid Eat a well-balanced diet Weight gain on average is 25-35 pounds

Diet and Nutrition

Important for general health and well-being of pregnant woman

Should discuss any exercise program with her doctor

Physical Activity

The first 3 months and the last few weeks of pregnancy are usually the most tiring

Should try to avoid long periods of continued stress Long term stress can affect the development

of the fetus

Rest and SleepHandling Stress

Common infectious disease STIs – Sexually transmitted infections Preeclampsia – high blood pressure, swelling

and protein in the urine

Stillbirth – the birth of a dead fetus

Illness

Drugs cross from the mother’s bloodstream into the babies The baby’s liver can not break down the drugs

and will harm the baby If the mother is addicted to a drug, so will

her baby

A pregnant woman should consult her doctor before taking over the counter medications.

Use of drugs

Poisonous gases passed to the baby Fetus receives fewer nutrients and less

oxygen

The Effects of Smoking

Alcohol is the third leading cause of birth defects in this country

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) – a pattern of physical and mental birth defects in children born of alcoholic mothers Short in stature Heads may be small Small eye openings Development is slow May be mentally retarded Many have behavioral problems

The Effects of Alcohol

Women who suspect they are pregnant should not have x-rays

Effects of Radiation

A baby born before the sixth month, too early to have developed enough for survival in the outside world

15-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage

Miscarriage

Preparing for the Baby11:3

Items the baby will need Clothing Place to sleep

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Experts recommend:

Placing infants on back to sleep Firm mattress to sleep on No pillows, blankets, or toys in the bed

Planning for the Baby’s Physical Needs

Natural Childbirth – little or no anesthesia to block the mother’s pain

Lamaze method help mothers control the pain of childbirth by focusing on a breathing techniques to help relax her muscles

Planning for Delivery

Leboyer method a comforting outside environment similar to the fetus’s environment is provided at birth’s Lights dim Soft music played Played in a warm bath after and then dried and

placed in a warm blanket

Planning for Delivery

Cesarean delivery (C-section) surgical method of delivering a baby Labor abnormal or infant is in danger The baby’s head is large and the mother’s

pelvis is small Mother had pervious C-sections The baby is breech birth – baby is positioned

for birth buttocks first

Planning for Delivery

Hospitals Family-centered childbirth- allows father,

children and other family members to be in the delivery room

Birthing rooms- delivery rooms are a home like setting

Rooming-in- the mother can have the baby stay in her room

Place of Delivery

Lactation is the production of milk in the breastsThe benefits on chart 246 11-14

Bottle feeding is similar to breast milk in the amount of nutrients

Less strain on the parents’ schedules because others can easily feed the baby

Breast Feeding or Bottle Feeding

The Baby Arrives 11:4

Labor is the term used to describe the contractions of the uterus

The Stages of Labor

First Stage of Labor Averaging 4-16 hours When contractions are regular, true labor has

begun Continues until the contractions have fully

dilated the cervix around 10 centimeters The baby’s head enters the birth canal

The Stages of Labor

Second Stage of Labor Cervix is fully dilated and the baby’s head is in

the birth canal Ends when the baby is born Lasting form 5-45 minutes Labor pains are most severe at this point

The Stages of Labor

In the third stage of labor, the uterus continues to contract. This causes the afterbirth (the Placenta) to be expelled.

The Stages of Labor

Condition of the new born is assessed often with the Apgar scale. This is assessed at one minute then five minutes after the baby is born. They are looking at heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, color, and reflexes

The Newborn

Research has shown that some newborn deficiencies can be corrected if detected early.

Newborn Screenings

Postpartum period Bonding

Adjusting to the Newborn