1. Pregnancy and Childbirth
Human Sexuality Unit
Lesson 8

2. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Premature Babies/ Low Birth Weight

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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. Changes During Pregnancy
Three trimester time periods
Trimester = 3 months

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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