Pregnancy

The Beginning of the Life Cycle Fertilization/Conception  The process of sperm meeting with an egg in the Fallopian tube  Once an egg is fertilized it becomes a zygote Zygote = fertilized egg (sperm meeting the egg)  The zygote travels through the fallopian tube and begins to divide

The Beginning of the Life Cycle  The zygote divides many times and becomes a blastocyst (hollow cluster of cells) by the time it gets to the uterus  Implantation occurs. Implantation is the process in which the blastocyst attaches itself to the wall of the uterus  Zygote is now called an embryo (occurs 7-10 days after fertilization)

Development of the Uterus  After implantation, development continues in the uterus  Three structures form from the dividing cells: the amniotic sac, placenta, and umbilical cord (All three serve to protect and nourish the developing embryo, and later the fetus)

Development in the Uterus Amniotic Sac  Fluid filled bag of thin tissue. The sac continues to grow in size as the embryo grows.  Inside the sac, the embryo floats in amniotic fluid Placenta  The structure that holds the embryo to the wall of the uterus  Within the placenta, oxygen and nutrients move from the mother’s blood into tiny blood vessels that lead to the embryo

Development of the Uterus  Umbilical Cord  A ropelike structure that connects the embryo to the placenta  This cord is the embryo’s lifeline  It carries nutrients and oxygen from the placenta to the embryo and wastes from the embryo to the placenta

Development of a Uterus  WEEK 1-8 = Embryo  Week 9-Birth = Fetus  Pregnancy term= lasts between weeks  Pregnancy Calendar (kids health) Pregnancy Calendar (kids health)

Conception

Developing Embryo (4 weeks)

Developing Embryo (7 weeks)

Developing Fetus (14 weeks)

Developing Fetus (24 weeks)

Developing Fetus (30 weeks)

Birth (3 stages)  Stage One (Labor)  Dilation- stretching of the cervix (10cm)  May last for a few hours  Contractions to shorten the uterus  Longest most difficult part of labor  Near the end of this stage, the amniotic sac breaks and the cervix becomes softer and wide enough (10 cm) for the fetus to pass through

Birth (3 Stages)  Stage Two (Delivery of the Baby)  Birth: muscles of the uterus contract and push baby out of the body  Umbilical cord is clamped and cut  Appearance of the head first, known as crowning  Stage Three (After Birth)  Afterbirth: contractions continue and push placenta and umbilical cord out of the mother

Complications during Birth Premature birth  Delivery of a live baby before the 37 th week of pregnancy Low birth weight  A newborn that weighs less than 5.5 pounds at birth. *Premature and low birth weight babies face an increased risk of health problems

Complications during Birth  Cesarean Section  This method can be the family’s choice of delivery or what is called an emergency “cesarean section” or “C-Section ”.  The doctor makes an incision in the lower abdomen into the uterus. The baby and placenta are then removed.

Having a Healthy Pregnancy  Avoid alcohol (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)  Causes physical, mental and behavior problems  FAS babies are: -Shorter & lighter- Poor coordination -Speech problems- Heart defects -Slow growth- Mental retardation -Facial abnormalities

Having a Healthy Pregnancy  Avoid drugs (tobacco, OTC, prescription, and illegal drugs) = Low birth weight/possible premature birth  Exercise  Eat a variety of healthy foods (avoid uncooked meats, deli meats, fish, seafood, caffeine)

Signs of Pregnancy Appear a few weeks or 1-2 months after conception/fertilization  “Morning Sickness”  Nipples darken  Increased fatigue  Menstruation usually stops  PMS - type symptoms  Increased urination

Pregnancy Test  Reveals hormone HCG in urine about 2 weeks after missed period - about 95% accurate  A blood test also detects HCG  Home tests give false negatives and positives. Should be followed up by a doctor visit