Pregnancy and Childbirth Human Sexuality Unit Lesson 8

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Prenatal Care What is it? Care that is given to mother-to-be and baby before birth Includes: Routine medical exams Proper nutrition Reasonable exercise Extra rest/relaxation Childbirth/child care education Avoidance of risk behaviors Common sense!

Common Questions Question #1… Healthy diet Prenatal vitamins Ensures fetus will get needed nutrients What happens if baby does not receive proper nutrients? Premature birth Baby is born before fully developed (less than 38 weeks) Low birth weight Weight at birth – less than 5.5 pounds Both are associated with mental retardation

Common Questions Question #2… Morning sickness Can occur at any time throughout day Most common in morning – before mother has eaten Other symptoms of pregnancy: Missed periods Breast tenderness Fatigue Change of appetite All vary from female to female

Common Questions Question #3… Over-the-counter and prescription drugs Check with physician before taking Can harm developing baby Ex. – aspirin may interfere with blood clotting in mother and fetus Avoid harmful drugs Marijuana, cocaine, heroin What happens to babies born to mothers who are drug-users? = Premature birth, low birth weight, addicted to drugs

Premature Babies/ Low Birth Weight

Five Weeks Pregnant Embryo Name given a developing baby from the time of conception until the ninth week ½ inch in size

Common Questions Question #4… Avoid tobacco products and secondhand smoke Females who smoke: Have babies in poorer general health Increase the risk of complications (miscarriage, stillbirth) Miscarriage Natural ending of a pregnancy before a baby is developed enough to survive on its own Stillbirth Fully developed baby born dead

Nine Weeks Pregnant Fetus Name given a developing baby from the ninth week until birth 2 inches in size

Common Questions Question #5… Avoid alcohol during pregnancy Impact unborn baby Can cause fetal alcohol syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Presence of severe birth defects in babies born to mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy Includes damage to brain and nervous system, facial abnormalities, small head size, below normal IQ, poor coordination, heart defects, and behavior problems

Common Questions Question #6… Caffeine in pregnant females Ask physician Some levels of caffeine may be linked to birth defects Products with caffeine: Coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, tea, and some prescription and over-the-counter drugs

Four Months Pregnant Approximate size of developing fetus = 5 ½ inches

Changes During Pregnancy Three trimester time periods Trimester = 3 months

Changes During Pregnancy First Trimester (First 3 months of pregnancy) Mother: menstruation stops, breast tenderness, fatigue, frequent urination, nausea/vomiting Embryo/Fetus: eyes, nose, and brain appear, can see heart, nervous system and brain coordinate body functions

Changes During Pregnancy Second Trimester (Months 4-6 of pregnancy) Mother: breasts may secrete liquid, size of uterus increases, fetal movements very noticeable, “showing” more Fetus: body covered with downy hair, skin is less transparent, sucks thumb

Changes During Pregnancy Third Trimester (Last 3 months of pregnancy) Mother: weight gain continues, uterus extends (top of uterus nears breastbone by the 9th month), fetal movements continue, possible difficult walking Fetus: covered with greasy substance to protect from chapping, hair on head, skin red and wrinkled