chapter 6. conception, pregnancy, childbirth Flashcards
Does sex have any correlation with self-esteem?
YES, Sexual self-esteem. = The feelings you have toward your body and your sense of yourself as a sexual being.
What are the key points in fertilization & implantation?
- Ovulation, 12-24 hour window. (Occurs on approx the 14th day of menstrual cycle, after the egg is released, it is picked up by fimbriae and enters the Fallopian tube)
- sperm follow chemical signal of the egg. (Fertilization occurs between 12-24 hours after ovulation. EGG MUST be fertilized within the 12-24 hour window or the egg will disintegrate, where sperm can live for 48 hours-8days) the egg releases a chemical that allows for direction to the egg for the sperm that get closer.
- Zona Pellucida. (A thin gelatinous layer surrounding the egg) helps to contain the chromosomes, proteins, fats and nutrias fluid.
- Hydraluronidase. (Enzyme secreted by the sperm while they swarm the egg, helps to dissolve the zone pellucida, permitting one sperm to penetrate the egg.
- Capcitation. ( The egg is covered in by a gelatinous layer, the sperm much penetrate this layer, called capacitation, once the penetration occurs, the layer thickens to lock out the other sperm from entering.)
- Implantation (The fertilized egg (zygote) travels down the Fallopian tube, making its way to the uterus for implantation (takes about 5 days - cell division taking place))
What are the obstacles to fertilization?
- Acidity of vagina (can kill many sperm)
- Some are deformed (deformed sperm can’t swim properly and die)
- Swimming against currents of Fallopian tube (The cilia are moving the egg downward)
- Wrong fallopian tube (ovulation only occurs on one side)
What is a Zygote?
Fertilized egg.
- Travels down the Fallopian tube.
- Cell division begins 36 hours after conception (1 cell becomes 2 which become 4, etc)
- Implantation into the lining of the uterus occurs 5-7 days later, where it will grow.
When do we call a baby an embryo?
between weeks 2-8
When is a baby called a fetus?
From 8 weeks until birth
How can you improve the chances of conception?
- Track ovulation by basal body temp. (temp will be higher on day of ovulation) 1 degree celsius difference.
- Time intercourse right at ovulation or 1-2 days before. (b/c sperm can survive up to 8 days inside a women’s body, it is good to give them swimming time as the egg is only capable of being fertilized in the first 12-24hour after ovulation.
- Maintain sperm count. (Recommended to have sex 2-3 times during the week of ovulation because too much sex can lower your sperm count taking at least 24 hours to manufacture 200 mil sperm)
- Gravity. (Man on top sex is best so that the semen doesn’t run out of the vagina; women can also lay on their back with a pillow under their hips
to help the sperm with gravity in finding their way to the Fallopian tubes.)
What are the presumptive signs of pregnancy?
- Missed period, breast tenderness, nausea, more frequent urination and fatigue.
- If a women has a missed period and 2 other presumptive symptoms = 67% probability of pregnancy.*
What are the probable signs of pregnancy? (HCG, HEGAR’S SIGN)
- HCG - Urine pregnancy tests detecting HCG = Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, secreted by the placenta = 98% accuracy at least 7 days after conception.
- Hegar’s Sign - Softening of the lower part of the uterus which can be felt with manual exam by about week 7.
What are the definite indicators of pregnancy (Positive signs)?
- Fetal heartbeat
- Active fetal movement
- Detection of fetal skeleton by ultrasound.
What is nangele’s rule?
- Once a person is pregnant they usually want to know the due date which is calculated using this rule.
1. Take the date of the first day of the last menstrual period, subtract 3 months, add 7 days and add one year.
Usually revised once ultrasounds are conducted (to confirm fetal development).
What are the emotional reactions to pregnancy?
- There is wide variation in emotional reactions to pregnancy
- Between women, reactions often are situation dependent
- Also, one woman can experience wide range of emotions over 9 months .
What are the positive emotional reactions to pregnancy?
- Woman hoped to become a parent, typically experience a rush of
excitement & anticipation upon learning she is pregnant - Most of these women adapt well to stress of pregnancy
- Women who are “characteristically optimistic” adapt well
- Among couples, husbands and wives often share a “sense of wonder” in
creating new life - Many women see pregnancy as transition into adulthood
- Feel sense of purpose and accomplishment
- Growing sense of attachment toward developing baby
- Anticipating tasks of motherhood and childrearing
- Not surprisingly, social support from friends and family is correlated with
physical and psychological well being
What are the negative emotional reactions to pregnancy?
Negative emotions
1. Pregnant women typically express some negative feelings, even if they were
hoping to become pregnant
- Fears, anxieties such as concern about pain of childbirth
2. North America’s “culture of thinness” causes may women to worry about gaining
weight
- Sadly some women report declining self-image as their body grows bigger
- Feel “fat and ugly”
3. Women may worry about their health
4. Heightened anxieties w/increasing evidence that smoking, alcohol, other
drugs/environmental contaminants can harm developing fetus
5. Some women may begin to feel they lack an identity other than “pregnant woman”
-NOTE= When people are pregnant during stressful life events (major earthquakes,
hurricanes, domestic abuse)
- Increased risk of stillbirth, premature delivery and low birthweight
What happened to parents who were pregnant during covid-19?
- disrupted many women’s prenatal care and
- forced some mothers to deliver their infants, without partner or family support.
- Others faced separation from their newborns immediately after birth.
- Expectant parents also missed out on many celebrations and rituals that
commemorate the transition into parenthood: baby showers, bris and christening ceremonies, neighbours dropping by with a meal, or grandparents traveling to meet the newest family member.
What is the 1st trimester? and what happens here?
The first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
- The placenta, (provides nourishment and oxygen to the fetus; attached with umbilical cord) and amniotic sac (sac filled with amniotic fluid that protects the fetus from outside damage and temperature changes) develop; major organ systems start to develop (including the heart, digestive system, central nervous system; facial features, hands, feet, and major blood vessels.
What physical changes occur during the 1st trimester of pregnancy?
-Breast swelling and tingling as mammary glands develop
-frequent urination related to pituitary hormones that affect the adrenals,
changing the water balance in the body so that more water is retained;
uterus is also growing and might press on the bladder
-bowel irregularity, hormones affect digestions in some women
-vaginal discharge may increase because hormones change vaginal pH, vaginal secretions change due to hormones in both composition and
quantity
-Nausea (or morning sickness) can happen at awakening or other times
of the day
-One theory is that vomiting causes women to expel and avoid
foods with toxic chemicals (25% of women experience no
vomiting at all during pregnancy)
-Fatigue likely related to high levels of progesterone, which can have a sedative effect.
What is a miscarriage?
Unintended termination of pregnancy before fetus is developed enough to
survive after birth (before 20th week of pregnancy), most common during 1st trimester.
What is preterm delivery?
Normally, a pregnancy is 40 weeks, preterm or premature birth is defined as a birth at less than 37 weeks gestation.
What amount of fertilized eggs are lost before the person knows that they are pregnant?
1/2
What % of women who know they are pregnant experience a miscarriage?
15-20%
What are most miscarriages caused by?
-Chromosome problems in the fetus.
What are some other possible causes of miscarriages?
- Infection
- Hormone problems
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Immune response
- Serious systemic disease in mother
When does the risk of miscarriage increase?
-Risk of miscarriage increases with age
Beginning by 30, greater between 35-40, highest after 40. (Pregnancies are considered “geriatric pregnancy” if mother is over age 35, have higher risk of several complications and problems)
What are some possible symptoms symptoms of a miscarriage?
-Low back or abdominal pain (Dull, sharp, or cramping)
-Clot passes through vagina
-Vaginal bleeding (early miscarriages may appear as heavy menstrual flow,
later may present as bad cramps/heavy bleeding/expulsion of recognizable
uterine contents (e.g., placenta))
What is the treatment required after a miscarriage?
Important to be examined to ensure no tissue remaining in uterus; needs to
be removed in order to prevent infection
What are some possible preventions of miscarriages?
Early prenatal care
Detect and treat illness
Avoid environmental hazards (alcohol, drugs, stress)
** but most are caused by genetic issues and are not preventable by the
mother – it is not her fault and she likely did nothing wrong
What psychological effects does a miscarriage have on women?
50% of pregnant people suffer elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and grief.
What are some risk factors of psychological effects on women due to miscarriage?
History of psychiatric illness Childlessness Lack of social support Poor relationship adjustment Prior pregnancy loss
When Is the second trimester?
weeks 13-26.
mothers begin to detect fetal movement (as early
as 13 weeks, but may not occur until week 20); fetus becomes sensitive to light and
sound; has immature organ systems, not able to survive on its own
What physical changes occur during the second trimester?
- Most of the physical symptoms of the first trimester (morning sickness,
discomfort) disappear and discomforts are at a minimum - Physical problems can include constipation, nosebleeds
- Belly continues to expand
- Mother can begin to detect fetal movement, quite exciting
- Edema – water retention in face, hands, wrists, ankles, and feet, may start
to be a problem/irritating - Breasts become fully developed by about mid-pregnancy; at around 19th
week, thin yellowish fluid called colostrum may come out of the nipples (no milk yet, though); breasts and areolas enlarge, nipples and areolas darken