1. Conception, Pregnancy, and Childbirth

2. Objectives
Understand the reproductive anatomy of the male and female body.
Know how conception happens.
Describe the growth and development of the fetus through the trimesters of pregnancy.
List the health complications and genetic diseases associated with pregnancy.
Understand the three stages of labor and various methods of childbirth.
Know the effects of the postpartum period on the mother.

3. Internal Male Reproductive Anatomy
Testes
Epididymis
Vas deferens
Ampulla
Seminal vesicle
Ejaculatory duct
Prostate gland
Cowper’s gland
Urethra
(continued)

4. Internal Male Reproductive Anatomy (continued)

5. Internal Female Reproductive Anatomy
Vagina
Cervix
Uterus
Fallopian tubes
Ovaries
(continued)

6. Internal Female Reproductive Anatomy (continued)

7. Menstrual Cycle Stage 1: Menstrual period occurs.
Stage 2: Ovum matures while endometrium builds up.
Stage 3: Ovulation occurs.
Stage 4: Endometrium continues to thicken.

8. Conception Conception is also known as fertilization.
Conception takes place when a sperm cell penetrates the ovum, uniting the two.
The conception process takes 24 hours or longer.

9. Implantation
The fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus.
It then implants into the endometrium.
The process from fertilization to implantation takes between 10 and 12 days.

10. Infertility About 10% to 15% of American couples are infertile.
Couples are classified as infertile when they are unable to conceive within 12 months.

11. Female Infertility
Female infertility accounts for approximately 40% of infertility in couples.
Cervical factor infertility is where the cervical mucus of a female contains antibodies that attack the sperm.
In endometriosis, endometrial cells break free and grow elsewhere.
Anovulation is the failure to ovulate.
Infections or abnormalities may also block the sperm from reaching the ovum.

12. Male Infertility
Male infertility also accounts for approximately 40% of infertility in couples.
Abnormal or malformed sperm means heads or tails are misshaped, affecting life span or ability to swim.
Low motility refers to the ability for self-propulsion.
Sperm may be abnormal or sparse for several reasons.
Excessive heat in the scrotum can cause temporary low sperm count.

13. Alternative Ways of Conceiving
Artificial insemination
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)
Donor IVF
Embryonic transfer
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
Surrogacy
Adoption

14. Pregnancy Tests Blood or urine tests detect HCG hormone.
At-home pregnancy tests have a 97% sensitivity to HCG.

15. Pregnancy
The average pregnancy (gestation period) lasts 266 days from time of fertilization. This is about 9 months.
The time is evenly broken into three-month increments called trimesters.
Unless advised otherwise, most women do not need to change their sexual activity during pregnancy.

16. First Trimester Fetal development Mother development
The first 2 months of pregnancy are called the embryonic stage. During this stage, the placenta, amniotic sac, and umbilical cord develop.
By the end of the third month, the fetus can recognize external stimuli.
Mother development
Mother may experience nausea, more commonly known as morning sickness.
Mother experiences breast tenderness and growth.
Mother’s appetite changes.

17. Second Trimester Fetal development Mother development
The lungs develop.
The fetus’ movements may be felt by the mother.
The heartbeat becomes stronger and louder.
Mother development
Mother’s waistline expands and she might get stretch marks.
Mother’s nipples and areolas may darken, and the nipples may leak fluid called colostrum.
Mother may choose to have an amniocentesis.

18. Third Trimester Fetal development Mother development
The brain and nervous system are now fully formed.
The fetus builds up fat under its skin.
The fetus increases in size.
The fetus prepares for childbirth.
Mother development
Mother can feel the added weight of the baby.
Mother may experience frequent urges to urinate, leg cramps, and shortness of breath.

19. Pregnancy Complications
Complications from mother’s health conditions, such as rubella, diabetes, toxemia, and sexually transmitted infections
Complications from use of drugs (including nicotine, vitamins, and over-the-counter drugs) and alcohol
Ectopic pregnancy
Miscarriage (spontaneous abortion)
Diseases with genetic causes, such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, or Down syndrome

20. Labor: Stage 1 Stage 1 labor lasts anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.
Contractions last from 20 to 40 seconds and come at intervals of 10 to 20 minutes. Later in the stage, contractions become stronger, longer, more frequent, and regular.
The cervix effaces and dilates to 10 centimeters.
The baby begins to move into the birth canal (vagina).
(continued)

21. Labor: Stage 1 (continued)

22. Labor: Stage 2
Stage 2 labor lasts anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
The baby crowns and is pushed out of the vaginal canal.
Mucus and blood are wiped away from the mouth and nose.
The umbilical cord is cut.
(continued)

23. Labor: Stage 2 (continued)

24. Labor: Stage 3
Stage 3 labor usually lasts only about 10 to 12 minutes.
Contractions separate the placenta from the walls of the uterus.
The placenta is then expelled or delivered.
(continued)

25. Labor: Stage 3 (continued)

26. Cesarean Section
A short horizontal incision is made at the base of the abdomen.
A second incision is made in the uterus.
The amniotic fluid is suctioned and the baby is lifted out.
In 2005, 30.3% of U.S. births were delivered by C-sections.

27. Methods of Childbirth Birthing suites At-home births
Midwives and doulas
Water births

28. Complications During Childbirth
Breech babies
Four out of 100 babies are born in a breech position.
Instead of the head being delivered first, the buttocks are.
Prolonged labor
Strong contractions fail to bring about the expected delivery.
Cervix may not dilate fully.
(continued)

29. Complications During Childbirth (continued)
Premature labor
Labor begins before the 37th week.
Babies may also be considered premature if they weigh less than 5 lb (2.2 kg).
Anoxia (oxygen deprivation)
Umbilical cord is squeezed.
This constricts the baby’s oxygen supply.

30. Postpartum
Postpartum depression is a severe case of the postpartum blues, characterized by extreme sadness, despair, low self-esteem, and apathy.
Menstrual cycle and ovulation may be delayed up to 3 months after delivery.
Sex after delivery should wait for a few weeks after childbirth.
Breast-feeding is the mother’s choice.
Breast-feed for at least 1 year.
Begin within 1 hour of delivery.