Contraception and Pregnancy

Question 1

Describe Proliferation (or follicular) Phase of the menstruation cycle

Answer 1

• this starts after menstruation has finished
• lasts 9-10 days
• endometrium is developing
• also called follicular stage when ovarian follicles are maturing
• ovaries are getting ready to release

[egg is developing, endometrum will proliferate (cells there will rapidly multiply), estrogen levels increase}

Question 2

Describe Ovulatory phase of the menstruation cycle

Answer 2

• Graafian follicle will rupture, releasing a mature ovum.
• the other follicles degenerate and are reabsorbed
• when 2 ovums are released it results in fraternal twins
• ovulation happens when estrogen levels peak
• Lutenizing hormone in females help to produce the egg, while in males it stimulates intersitial cells to produce sperm
• basal body temperature will usually dip during ovulation and then slightly increase after ovulation

Question 3

Describe secretory (luteal) phase of the menstruation cycle

Answer 3

• approx 15 days
• graafian follicle –> corpus luteum
• progesterone and estrogen levels will peak and this causes glands in endometrium to secrete nutrients that would sustain the egg if it were to fertilize
• no fertilization, corpus luteum decomposes, and estrogen and progesterone levels will decrease
• this phase is maintained by the elevated progesterone levels, that are secreted by the corpus luteum
• levels of progesterone are the highest when the endometrium is the most developed

Question 4

Describe the menstrual phase of the menstruation cycle

Answer 4

• lasts around 5 days
• the endometrium lining is shed resulting in the menstrual flow
• this happens when estrogen and progesterone levels fall

Question 5

What are the days are are the safest to have unprotected sex?

Answer 5

• during the menstrual phase

- and 19-28 days of the menstrual cycle which is during the secretory phase

Question 6

Why is the window (to have unprotected sex) before ovulation bigger than the window after ovulation

Answer 6

• since sperm can live a lot longer than egg, there is a larger window where it it safe to have unprotected sex before ovulation,

Question 7

Which hormones will increase just before ovulation happens?

Answer 7

• LH and estrogen

Question 8

How do you predict ovulation?

Answer 8

By tracking the consistency of cervical mucus throughout the cycle, when ovulation is just about to happen the mucus is slippery and watery (which makes sense, since the purpose of this is so the sperm can swim through with ease)

Question 9

What hormone do pregnancy tests designed to test?

Answer 9

Human chorionic gonadotropi (hCG), this hormone is produced right after conception happens, and it will be detected in the urine approx. 3rd week of pregnancy
- while in the blood, hCG can be detected by the 8th day of pregnancy

Question 10

What is the length of pregnancy and when is it calculated?

Answer 10

280 days =38 weeks, calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period

Question 11

How long is the gestation period?

Answer 11

266 days, and babies are normally born plus or minus 10 days

Question 12

Describe prenatal development

Answer 12

1. germinal stage - conception happens and then the fertilized egg gets implanted in the endometrium, zygote takes 3-4 days to reach the uterus, and 3-4 days to implant, then the ball of cells form = blastocyst
2. Embryonic stage - implantation to the 8th week, see differentiation in the major organs, (super important that the good habits are created here such as avoiding drinking, increasing iron, folic acid, getting the right nutrition - since this is where major development happens)
3. Fetal stage
   - 9th week to birth

Question 13

What happens during the first trimester of the pregnancy?

Answer 13

• contraception –> 12 weeks
• all of the major organs and structures are beginning to form
• any harmful substances can affect the normal growth and development of the fetus
• ~ 21st day the heart begins to beat

Question 14

What happens during the second trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 14

• 13 weeks –> 28 weeks
• rapid growth
• sexual differentiation
• basic structure of brain is laid out, now just development
• fingers and toes and nails are there
• eyes are almost finished developing

Question 15

Describe the 16th week of pregnancy

Answer 15

• baby will feel pain, fetus will suck its thumb
• baby makes crying movements
• can feel a strong heart beat
• fetus is moving inside of mum

Question 16

Describe the 24th week of pregnancy

Answer 16

• eyelids are separated
• skin is wrinkled and red
• covered in a creamy coating that is protective (vernix)
• risky if the baby is born during this stage

Question 17

Describe the 28th week of pregnancy

Answer 17

just about 1.5 lbs

• no fat
• organs are maturing, and bones have fully grown however they are still soft
• lung development has not fully been completed
• at this point in time, if the baby is born it will have a higher chance of survival
• mom starts to feel better, more energy
• uterus lefts out of the pelvis reducing pressure ot the bladder
• week 16+ colostrum is produced (clear and yellow)

Question 18

Describe 3rd trimester of pregnancy

Answer 18

• major organs have fully developed, everything is becoming finalized the neurons are beginning to set
• protection is developing as the baby starts to grow fat

Question 19

What is the role of Folic acid?

Answer 19

• promotes development of brain stem, spinal cord and red blood cells
• needed to take the most at the first month of pregnancy
• recommended = 0.4 - 1.0mg daily, and 4-5 mg if at risk
• can take pre natal supplements which are high in folic acid, and broccoli is a good source too

Question 20

What is the role of Iron?

Answer 20

• if you are deficient in iron, it will cause fatigue
• recommended daily amount = 27 mg/day
• need to intake with Vitamin C or else Iron will not absorb properly
• caffeine inhibits absorption
• avoid taking with calcium

Question 21

What is the role of calcium?

Answer 21

• important for the development of bones and proper muscle function
• recommended intake is 1000-1300 mg daily

Question 22

what is the role of Vitamin D?

Answer 22

• increases absorption of calcium
• needed for bone development and maintaining strength of mothers bones
• recommended is 400 IU

Question 23

Explain the role of essential fatty acids

Answer 23

• needed for proper fetal neural and visual development
• maintenance of pregnancy
• sources: fish, canola and flax oil, nuts,seeds

Question 24

What is the maximum amount of caffeine a pregnant women should have?

Answer 24

300 mg/day because it can appear in the breast milk, or course placental barrier and stimulate the fetus, and possibly have a premature delivery

Question 25

Outline the number of servings a pregnant women should be intaking of each food group according to canadas food guide.

Answer 25

Grains: 6-7
Fruits/vegetables: 7-10
Protein: 2-3
Milk/alternatives: 3-4

Question 26

How many extra calories should a women be eating during the 3 trimesters and during breastfeeding?

Answer 26

1st - 0-100 calories
2nd- 340 cal
3rd- 450 cal
breastfeeding - 500 cal

Question 27

How much alcohol should a pregnant women be consuming?

Answer 27

NONE.

it can affect the brain and physical development of the brain, and increase the miscarriage of the fetus. As well it causes FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder)

Question 28

What are some signs of labour?

Answer 28

• lightening or engagement - relief of pressure
• effacement: cervix ripens
• dilation: cervix begins to open
• blood - mucus plug is lost
• nesting - spurt of energy
• water breaking = membranes are being broken
• contractions are labor pains

Question 29

Describe first stage of labor

Answer 29

Dilation and effacement (ripening) of cervix
- latent is when cervix is 0-3cm dilated
and when it reaches 8-10 cm the mother is ready to begin pushing

Question 30

Describe the second stage of labor

Answer 30

• pushing and soon the baby is descending into the birth canal
• episiotomy
• BABY IS BIRTHED

Question 31

What is an episiotomy?

Answer 31

• babies head is crowning,
• some of the skin around the vagina is snipped if the babys shoulders and too wide to emerge or if the baby is in distress

Question 32

Last stage of labor

Answer 32

• placenta is expelled

- uterus begins to contract

Question 33

What is the definition of infertility?

Answer 33

Need help to become fertile

Question 34

What is the definition of sterile?

Answer 34

For sure not able to have a baby

Question 35

What is In Vitro Fertilization?

Answer 35

it is the process of fertilization by manually combing an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish and then transferring the embryo into the uterus.

Question 36

What is Artifical Insemination?

Answer 36

it is a technique that can help treat certain kids of infertility in both men and women, sperm can be inserted directly into a womens cervix, fallopian tubes or uterus

Question 37

Why is it good to breastfeed?

Answer 37

Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition, and immunological and emotional benefits for the childs development.