Conception And Pregnancy

Are You Ready To Be A Parent?

Fertilization (Conception)

Each life begins with 2 cells (XX or XY)Ovum (X)Sperm (X or Y)

1 egg is released from the ovaries every 28 days. The ovum enters the fallopian tube to begin its journey to the uterus. If sperm is deposited in the vagina, while an egg is on the way to the uterus, fertilization can occur.

Fertilization Cont.Up to a half of billion sperm can be

deposited in the vaginaOnly a few hundred live to make the 6 inch

swim to the fallopian tube.Only 1 sperm can fertilize the egg

Within seconds of fertilization, the surface of the egg changes so no more sperm can enter.

At the moment of fertilization, the sex and genetic trait of the future person are set.

Pregnancy testing

Most common sign of pregnancy is a missed periodMenstruation ceases because progesterone levels remain

high.This causes endometrium to remain thick and intact

Pregnancy can be determined as soon as implantation has occurred.Embryo begins to produce a hormone called HCG

(Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) HCG can be found in the blood of a pregnant woman a

few days after implantation. One week after menstruation should have begun, HCG

can be found in the woman’s urine.

Home Pregnancy Tests

Stages Of Fetal DevelopmentZygoteUnited egg and spermWithin 36 hours, the zygote is still

traveling through the fallopian tube; it begins to divide (2 cells-4 cells-8cells) Continues until dozens of cells.

Zygote cont.

Implantation – Process of attachmentWithin 4-5 days, zygote reaches uterus.

Floats around for a few days. (Approximately 500 cells)

No longer a solid mass of cells. Becomes a hollow sphere called a blastocyst. It begins to attach to wall of uterus After implantation occurs, the blastocyst is called an

embryo.

PlacentaThe attachment that holds the embryo to the

wall of the uterus develops into an organ into an organ called the placenta.

The placenta acts as a filter between the embryo’s bloodstream and the mother’s bloodstream. *Blood of the embryo and mother do not mix*

Many substances can pass through this filter (alcohol, drugs, smoke, and some organisms that cause disease)

Umbilical Cord25 days after fertilization, a cord develops

between the placenta and the embryo called the umbilical cord. This cord is the baby’s lifeline, containing

blood vessels that carry nutrients and oxygen from the placenta to the embryo.

Amniotic SacDeveloping embryo is enclosed in a bag of

thin tissue called the Amniotic sac. The embryo floats within the sac in amniotic fluid.

This fluid acts as a shock absorber, and keeps the embryo’s temperature constant.

Prenatal Care

Pregnant women require extra calories (2200-2400) per day

Supplements (folic acid, calcium, protein, iron)Exercise to maintain a healthy heart, to allow

it to meet the demands of developing fetus. Abstaining from alcohol, smoking, drugs

(street and prescription)Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – Mental retardation

caused by alcohol, which damages the fetus’s brain development. 100% preventable

Prenatal TestingCertain disorders affecting the fetus can be

detected before birth through testing.Amniocentesis – Small amount of amniotic

fluid is removed from around the fetus and analyzed.

Prenatal testingChorionic villus sampling – A small piece of

chorion (part of the developing placenta) is removed for examination.

AlphaFetoProtein (AFP)An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test checks

the level of AFP in a pregnant woman's blood. AFP is a substance made in the liver of an unborn baby.

The amount of AFP in the blood of a pregnant woman can help see whether the baby may have such problems as spina bifida and anencephaly.

Prenatal testingUltrasound – High frequency sound waves that

bounce off the fetus. This is used to make a “picture” of the fetus. Ultrasounds can detect abnormal bone, muscle, and heart formation. Also shows the position, and if there is more than one. Also used to determine age.

Labor and Delivery1st Stage: Strong Contractions & Water

BreaksDuration: 4-24 hoursStrong contractions cause the cervix to dilate

(widen) from 1 to 4 inches.Each contraction lasts 30-90 secs.Contractions begin several minutes apart, and

then progress to seconds apart.Amniotic sac breaks, and the cervix softens to

allow the fetus to pass through. (water breaks)

Labor & Delivery 2nd Stage: Actual Birth (Delivery) Duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours

Muscular wall of uterus begins a series of contractions that will push the fetus down the birth canal. Once baby is out, umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Nose and mouth are suctioned out. Removing mucus. Eye drops are put in to prevent infection Vitamin K is given to prevent excessive bleeding from the cut

umbilical cord. Baby is examined within 1 minute of birth, and then again 5

minutes later. APGAR score is taken . Score is 0-21. heart rate2. breathing3. muscle tone4. skin color5. reactions

A score of 10 means the baby came through the birthing process in best condition possible

Labor & Delivery3rd Stage: Delivery of Afterbirth

(Placenta)Duration: The placenta is usually delivered

within 15-30 minutes of the baby being bornAfter baby is born, placenta separates from

uterine wall and is passed through birth canal.

Labor and DeliveryTypes of delivery Cephalic – Head down positionBreach – Buttocks/backside firstCesarean – surgical method

ComplicationsEctopic pregnancy – The blastocyst forms

and becomes implanted in the fallopian tube or elsewhere in the abdomen.Results in the death of the embryoSurgery is necessary to remove the embryo,

and to repair the damaged fallopian tube

ComplicationsMiscarriage – Expulsion of a dead zygote,

blastocyst, embryo, or fetus from the uterus.During 1st trimester15-20% of all pregnancies

Caused by serious genetic defect Mothers illness or drug mother has taken No apparent reason

ComplicationsStillbirth – Birth of a dead, full-term fetus.

Physical injury to the fetus

ComplicationsToxemia – Infection thorough out the

bodyHigh blood pressure:Protein in the urineSwelling ( fluid retention )

Serious condition affecting Teenagers Over 40 Not receive prenatal care

Rh factors – Most people contain a certain group of proteinsRh negative – Lack these proteins / 15% of

populationRh positive - Majority

Mother’s blood develops antibodies that fight the baby’s red blood cells. Baby will need a transfusion at birth Mother receives injections to prevent antibodies