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  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