1. Problems in Prenatal Development
Unit 2

2. Bell Ringer November 3rd, 2011
What worries do you have about being pregnant, or your spouse being pregnant?

3. Miscarriage and Stillbirth
The spontaneous loss of the pregnancy less than 20 weeks
The natural ending of a pregnancy before the embryo or fetus could possibly survive.
The zygote, embryo, or fetus is expelled from the mother’s body
Between 15-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage

4. Myths about Miscarriage
Physical activity, stress, and minor falls are not believed to be cause
Very early: genetic abnormally
Occur by chance
Could not have been prevented and many are able to have successful pregnancies later

5. Risk Factors Age (women over 35) Previous miscarriages
Family history of miscarriage
Certain diseases or infections
Exposure to hazards such as alcohol, drugs, smoking, heavy caffeine use, or certain chemicals

6. Stillbirth If the fetus dies after the twentieth week of pregnancy
Occurs in about 1 out of every 200 pregnancies

7. Ectopic Pregnancy A fertilized egg implants outside the uterus
Usually in the fallopian tube
Aka tubal pregnancy
Without the nourishment and protection of the uterus the embryo cannot survive
Can burst the fallopian tube causing life- threatening bleeding

8. Dealing with loss
Do you think the loss of an unborn or newborn child could be as devastating as the loss of a child later in life? Why?
Would you expect the grieving process to be different in the case of miscarriage or still birth?

9. Premature Labor and Birth
Premature birth
Baby is born before the 37th week
Low birth weight babies weight 5 ½ lbs. or less (normal birth weight is between 7-8 lbs)
Premature labor
Begin to go into labor sooner than 37 weeks
Sometimes doctors can delay premature labor with medication

10. Pre mature babies
Born before the 26th week and weighting less than 2 pounds usually have the most problems
Underdeveloped lungs, fluid accumulation in the brain, seizures, and growth and learning delays
Born between weeks
May have short term health problems but in the long run they do well

11. Prenatal testing Some routine, others recommended for at risk
Make sure to discuss risks
Ultra sound imaging
Amniocentesis
Chronic villi sampling

12. Ultra sound imaging
Process that uses sound waves to create video and still images of the fetus inside the uterus
Image is called a sonogram
What are other uses for ultra sound? Have any of you had an ultra sound?

13. Amniocentesis
Removes a small amount of the amniotic fluid that surround the developing fetus
While viewing an ultra sound image a needle is inserted through the abdomen and wall of the uterus
Cells are analyzed for specific pr0blems
Typically done at weeks
Slightly increases the risk of miscarriage so not routinely offered
Risk factors
Over 35 (check for down syndrome)
History of problems

14. Chorionic Villi Sampling
Take a sample of cells from the placenta
Chorionic villi
Microscopic fingerlike projects of placenta
Thin tube through the vagina
Can be used to check for 200 genetic disorders weeks (earlier than amniocentesis)
Only done if serious problems suspected due to risk

15. Detecting birth defects
More than 100 types of birth defects can be diagnosed prenatally
Some cases can be treated before the baby is born

16. Activity Empathy Belly Walk around Observe profile Sit at desk
Pick up items
Lie down
Try to get back up!

17. Activity
Study Guide