1. Pregnancy & Childbirth

2. Early Signs of Pregnancy
4. Nausea (“morning sickness”) and fatigue
Changes in appetite
Frequent urination
Moodiness
Weight Gain
A missed or late menstrual period (abnormal, lighter or shorter); often feels like a period is about to start
Positive test measured in 3 ways: Urine (most common), Pelvic Exam (check the size of the uterus), or a blood test (rarely used)
Tenderness and enlargement of breasts and darkening of the nipples

3. BELIEFS VS. REALITY
“A missed menstrual period is a sure sign of pregnancy.”
It is common for women to have irregular periods. A woman is not necessarily pregnant if she misses a period.
“It takes the entire 38 to 40 weeks for the major structures in a growing baby to develop.”
By the end of the first three months, all of the baby’s major body structures have formed.
“Drugs cannot cross the placenta into the baby during pregnancy.”
Most drugs can cross the placenta into the baby’s body.
“Pregnant women do not have to visit the doctor until the last three months of pregnancy.”
Regular doctor visits from the first sign of pregnancy are necessary to ensure the mother’s and baby’s health
Physicians care during pregnancy costs between 4,500- 5,000 not including the cost of the delivery $$$$

4. Ways to Stay Healthy While Pregnant…
Some ways to stay healthy before and during pregnancy include:
Avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and other drugs.
Maintain a nutritious diet.
Take prenatal vitamins prescribed by a doctor.
Get regular, moderate amounts of exercise.
Have medical conditions evaluated by a doctor.
Schedule prenatal care visits throughout the pregnancy.

5. Average Pregnancy Weight Gain
Baby=7
Amniotic Fluid=4
Uterus=2
Breasts=3
Blood,body fluids=3
Lean mass=3
Fat=3
Total=25 pounds

6. Sonogram Also known as ultrasound
Uses sound waves to gather information such as age, defects, position, multiples, gender

7. More Sonogram Images

8. Twins! Identical Twins Fraternal Twins
Develop from a single ovum and a single sperm, divides into two zygotes
Always the same sex
Fraternal Twins
Develop from separate ova and are fertilized by two different sperm
Can be same or different sex
They don’t look alike

9. First Trimester
Sexual intercourse is the reproductive process in which the penis is inserted into the vagina and through which a new human life may begin.
From the vagina, sperm travel through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes, where fertilization normally occurs.
After fertilization, the zygote travels to the uterus and embeds in the uterine wall.
The developing human in the
first 8 weeks of development is
called an embryo.

10. First Trimester The placenta is an organ that develops
in the uterus. The placenta provides a
developing baby with nutrients and
removes waste. The umbilical cord
connects the embryo to the placenta.
In the first trimester the embryo
grows rapidly. The heart starts beating,
arm and leg buds appear, and the eyes
and brain start to develop.
By the end of the first trimester,
all the major body parts and organs
have formed and the baby is then called
a fetus.

11. Second Trimester
By the end of the second trimester, facial features are apparent, and you can tell if the fetus is male or female.
In the third trimester, the fetus gains most of its weight the baby is born.

12. Second Trimester
Quickening: fetal movements that can be felt by the mother
5th month:
fingernails and eyelashes
6th month:
kicks & cries, can hear sounds,
hiccup, suck its thumb

13. Third Trimester
Stretch Marks (Yikes!)

14. Lightening: when the baby begins to drop down in the uterus to prepare for birth

16. Birthing Options
Natural: baby delivered without anesthetic – may involve Lamaze
Traditional: baby delivered with drugs

17. Birthing Options Homebirth Water Birth Birthing Room Birthing Chair
                                       
Birthing Options
Homebirth
Water Birth
Birthing Room
Birthing Chair
Cesarean (C section)

18. Cesarean Section
Baby is delivered through the abdominal and uterine walls

21. Ectopic Pregnancy (Tubal)
Implantation of the fertilized egg in the fallopian tubes
Females whom have or had an STD have a higher chance of this problem.
The scaring from the STD inhibits the movement of the egg down the fallopian tube, which results in implantation in the fallopian tubes.
Symptoms: Abdominal pain early in the pregnancy, weakness, faintness
Can be life threatening –
cause arteries to rupture
Surgery or medical treatment is
required immediately

22. Abortion Spontaneous Induced Miscarriage
Death of the fetus from natural complications before birth
Symptom is usually irregular bleeding
Induced
Purposely ending an embryo or fetus life
Due to complications, rape, other circumstances

23. Menopause
Is a period of time in a woman’s life when she stops ovulating and menstruating.
Estrogen and Progesterone levels fall and the body’s reproductive process slows down.
Symptoms:
hot flashes, decrease in breast size, anxiety, sometimes depression
Men actually experience physical changes during middle adulthood
Decline in their ability to reproduce, sex hormones and sperm production decrease

24. More Pregnancy and Childbirth Vocabulary…
Contraction—muscles of the uterus “squeezing” as delivery nears; get stronger and closer together as labor progresses.
Dilation—the widening of the cervix
Episiotomy—a cut made on either side of the vagina to make it easier for the baby’s head to go through the vagina and prevent tearing during childbirth.
Gestation—the process of carrying a baby in the uterus when pregnant
Amniotic Sac—a fluidlike sac surrounding the embryo
Amniocentesis—simple diagnostic procedure in which a needle is inserted through the uterus to extract fluid from the amniotic sac.

25. Pregnancy Vocabulary
Fertilization (conception): union of the sperm and egg
Trimester: 3 equal 3 month segments of pregnancy
Zygote: fertilized egg cell
Embryo: fertilized egg from the time of implantation in uterus until 8 weeks
Fetus: 8 weeks until birth
Quickening: fetal movements that can be felt by the mother