Conceiving Children

Women’s fertility Peaks around 20 – 24 years

Pregnancy detection Blood tests for HCG can detect pregnancy as early as one week after conception.

How do I know if I am pregnant? (common during first trimester) Breast tenderness Nausea and vomiting Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in blood test (can detect pregnancy one week after conception) Fatigue

What stages are there in childbirth?

First stage of labor First stage “Bloody show” Uterine contractions Ruptured amniotic sac (Water breaks)

Second stage Birth of child

Third stage Placenta

Cesarean section Performed when Fetal distress during labor Feet or bottom presents first

Male Infertility 50% of infertility = male factors Due to Smoking Alcohol abuse Environmental toxins Low sperm count Low sperm motility STD’s Blocked tubes

Female infertility 50% of infertility = female factors STD’s Lack of ovulation Blocked tubes STD’s

Infertility treatments Artificial insemination Semen introduced into woman’s vagina,cervix, or uterus In vitro Fertilization GIFT (Gamete intrafallopian transfer) ZIFT (Zygote intrafallopian transfer) ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

Artificial insemination

In Vitro fertilization Fertilizing egg in dish Placed into uterus

GIFT (Gamete intrafallopian transfer) Sperm and ova placed directly into fallopian tube

ZIFT (Zygote intrafallopian transfer) Egg fertilized in dish Placed into fallopian tube

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) Single sperm injection Best when quality or quantity of semen is poor

How does pregnancy effect my sex life? Sexual activity and orgasm may continue as desired until labor begins Sexual interest progressively declines over the nine months Can resume intercourse 6-8 weeks after delivery

How can I test for birth defects? Chorionic Villus Sampling Amniocentesis Fluid around the fetus is removed to check for birth defects

Abortion rates

First trimester abortions Have little effect on subsequent fertility or pregnancy