lecture 6 Flashcards
Does sex have any correlation with self esteem?
Yes, sexual self esteem is related to overall self esteem
Key points in fertilization and implantation
Ovulation, Fertilization occurs 12-24 hours after ovulation
~You can get pregnant in larger window than 12-24 hours bc sperm lives longer (48 hours to 8 days)
Sperm follow the chemical signal of the egg
~Around one teaspoon of ejaculate is released (200 million-400 million sperm in teaspoon)
~Sperm swim 1-3 cm per hour
~Egg secretes chemical that attracts sperm
Zona Pellucida
thin gelatinous layer around egg that protects the egg
Hyaluronidase:
enzyme secreted by sperm that swarms the egg that helps to dissolve the zona pellucida
Permits one sperm to penetrate the egg
Capacitation
penetration of one sperm to egg
~Once one sperm penetrates the egg, the zona pellucida layer around egg hardens so no other sperm can come in
Implantation
fertilized egg (zygote) down fallopian tube towards the uterus for implantation (around 5 days)
Cell division takes place in 5 days
Obstacles to fertilization
Acidity of vagina: acidity of vagina
Some sperm are deformed
Sperm swimming against currents of fallopian tube
Sperm has to swim against the cilia
Some sperm swim up wrong fallopian tube
If Sperm passes by obstacle
Zygote is formed -fertilized egg
1)Travels down fallopian tube
2)Cell division begins ~36 hours after conception
4)Implantation occurs 5-7 days later in uterus
5)embryo 2-8 weeks
6)fetus: after 8 weeks
Improving chances of conception
Tracking ovulation by basal body temperature
~Basal body temp is slightly lower right before ovulation and slightly higher right after
Time intercourse right at ovulation or 1-2 days before
Maintain sperm count: have sperm ejaculate 2-3 times during week of ovulation
~Sperm count is lower if you have sex everyday
~If you wait between 2-3 days of having sex, sperm count is higher
Gravity
Presumptive signs of pregnancy
missed period, breast tenderness, nausea, more frequent urination, fatigue
Missed period +2 other symptoms= 67% probability of pregnancy
Probable signs:
80-95 % correct of pregnancy
HCG: released by placenta thats detected by at home pregnancy tests
Hegar’s sign: softening of lower uterus (around week 7)
Positive signs: def pregnant
Fetal heartbeat, fetal movement
Nagele’s rule (calculates due date):
Take first day of missed period subtract 3 months +1 week + 1 yr
due date is confirmed after 9 weeks from ultrasound
Emotional reactions to pregnancy
Positive emotions:
Hope to be a parent, excitement and anticipation
Characteristically optimistic adapt well
Sense of wonder
Pregnancy as transition into adulthood
Social support correlated with psychological and physical well being
Negative emotions
Fears, anxieties, concerns about pain of childbirth
Declining body image
Worry about health
Lack of an identity (besides being “pregnant person”)
Pregnancy during stressful events
Increased low birth
What changed for expectant mothers during COVID-19:
Boredom, lonely,
Change of birth plan
Decreased income, change of employment
rise in depression
Pregnant people who had covid:
Increase in placentia (placenta doesn’t grow normally)
Preterm birth/ still birth was more likely
Impact of maternal prenatal stress related to covid-19:
Similar to other stressful events
Stressful events are very negatively impactful to fetus born during covid-19
1st Trimester
first 12 weeks
Major organs of fetus already developing quickly
Most rapid fetal development
Physical changes in pregnant person:
1st trimester
Breast swelling
Frequent urination
Bowel irregularity: hormones have impact on digestion
Vaginal discharge
Nausea: related to higher HCG levels
Fatigue
Miscarriages
Preterm delivery
Estimated up to ½ of all fertilized eggs are lost before person knows they are pregnant
15-20% of people who know they are pregnant experience miscarriage
Most caused by chromosome problems in fetus (mainly genetic issue)
Other possible causes:
Hormones, drug use, serious disease in pregnant person (rare)
Risk of miscarriage increases with age
Beginning by 30, greater between 35-40 (geriatric pregnancy), highest after 40
Possible symptoms of miscarriage:
Low back or abdominal pain
Clot passes through vagina
Vaginal bleeding
Treatment of miscarriage
Important to be examined to ensure no tissue remaining in uterus
Prevention of miscarraige
Early prenatal care
Detect and treat illness
Avoid environmental hazards
Psychological effects of miscarriage
50% of pregnant people suffer elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and grief
Risk factors of psychological effects:
History of psychiatric illness
Childlessness (people who don’t have children already)
Lack of social support
Poor relationship adjustment
Prior pregnancy loss
2nd trimester=weeks 13-26
Chances of miscarriage decrease a lot
Physical changes in pregnant person
Decreased symptoms
Constipation,nosebleeds
Expanding belly
Fetal movements
Edema (water retention)
Breasts fully developed (colostrum)
Psychological changes in pregnant person:
Calm, well being, pride, excitement, maternal responsiveness
3rd trimester= weeks 27 to 38
Physical changes in pregnant person:
Uterus is large and hard
Symptoms from pressure on organs
Aware of fetal activity
~Kicking belly
Awkwardness
~Balance is affected
~Gaining of weight
Braxton-hicks contractions
~Uterus contracts to prepare for pregnancy
Engagement of head
~Pressure in pelvis, head moves to bottom of uterus
Psychological changes in pregnant person
3rd trim
Impatience, concern re: health of baby and delivery
How frequent to Braxton Hicks contractions get as you approach labor?
Varies person to person but usually lasts 30 seconds
Often changes with different positions
Impact of media portrayal of pregnancy
Increased display of pregnant bodies
positive regard and acceptance of pregnant belly
Negative impacts of media portrayal of pregancny
Celebrity portrayal is often unrealistic
Celebrity Weight Loss immediately after giving birth
Attitudes towards pregnancy
Attitudes depend on context
Michelle Hebl 2007: field study and survey study
2 conditions:
Pregnant vs non pregnant lady in store
~Pregnant lady experienced more positivity when looking for a gift in store
Pregnant vs. non pregnant lady applying for job
~Pregnant lady experiences more rudeness
Attitude toward pregnant people
Some OLD studies show that visibly pregnant women are judged as being less committed to their jobs, less dependable, less authoritative, more emotional, and more irrational than otherwise equal, non pregnant female managers
Maternal bias in the workplace (current knowledge, 2022)
A lot less Formal bias because of policies:
~Compensation (wage penalties)
~HR policies and procedures (hiring, advancement, promotion)
Interpersonal bias is definitely still present:
~Devaluation from colleagues
~Changes in relationships at work
internalized bias:
~maternal body(“there is no place for a pregnant body in workplace)
~role(a good mother priorities motherhood and not work)
Policies:
The Canadian Human Rights Act (Canada; prohibits discrimination related to pregnancy)
The pregnancy discrimination ACT (USA)
teen pregnancy
Views on teen pregnancy are more negative
Gaby rodriguez’s pregnancy project
Wore a fake pregnant belly to school
Experience malicious rumors
More discrimination for older women having babies too
Teen pregnancy in Canada
Teen pregnancy rates and teen abortions decline 36.9% from 1996 to 2006
Was 44/1000 in 2007, 30/1000 in 2017
why decline of teen pregnancy
People value career and traveling more now than in past
Lowest rates of teen pregnancy (15-19 year olds)
In PEI (prince edward island) (23.4/1000) and NB (new brunswick) and NL(newfoundland) (26/1000)
Highest rates of teen pregnancy
MB (manitoba) (53.4/1000), NT (northwest territories)(78.7/1000), and NU (Nunavut) (118.8/1000)
Why are there differences in teen pregnancy rates?
Differences in education
Prenatal Care
Medical
ultrasound
Nutrition
Vitamins, mineral, protein
Exercise
Really encourage to stay active
Effects of drugs on fetus (teratogens)
alcohol
(leading causes of birth defects)
intellectual/behavioral problems
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder :
~Most serious case: Fetal alcohol syndrome (only 1%)
Post and prenatal growth issues
Smaller brains, smaller eyes, joint issues, etc…
No alcohol should be drank during pregnancy
Smoking
~Slows fetal growth development
~Premature birth, low birth weight, increase of asthma
~11% of people smoke during pregnancy
Marijuana
Leads to decreases fertility (recommended to not smoke when trying to conceive)
Prematurity, low birth weight
Sex during pregnancy
Current medical advice: no medical evidence that sex is harmful to fetus at any point
Changes in sexual behavior :
Decline in sexual activity in 1st trimester
Increase in sexual activity in 2nd trimester
Decline in sexual activity in 3rd trimester
What about postpartum sexual function
Pregnancy and postpartum are a vulnerable time for couples sexual lives
Changes to sexual function (desire,arousal, lubrication, pain) are common after having a baby
Dryness in vagina due to hormonal changes
Greater sexual distress, lower relationship satisfaction, and more depressive symptoms are more likely to experience persistent problems with postpartum sexual function
People mostly return to being satisfied with sexual lives between 3-6 months postpartum
The father’s experience during pregnancy:
Couvade syndrome
some men experience physical symptoms of pregnancy while partner is pregnant
Indigestion, nausea
Hormonal changes in men with a pregnant partner
Couvade ritual:
Male partner experiences his own labor while partner is going through labor
Psychological changes for fathers in canada
Most fathers are expected to be involved
Many men experience increased maturity and meaning of life
Beginning of labor
Mucous plug discharge: small amount of bloody mucus (plug in the cervix that prevents germs from passing from vagina into uterus is shed)
Ruptured membranes (water breaking): usually occurs later in labor and not as the first step
Increased Braxton-Hicks contractions
First stage of labor
Effacement of cervix: thinning of cervix
~Regular contractions of uterus cause cervix to thin out and dilate
Dilation of cervix
~Must dilate to 10 cm/4 inches before baby can be born
~Can take variety of time (2 hours-24 hours or more)
~~Average is about 12-15 hours for first pregnancy, then 8 hours or less for future pregnancies
Contractions
~Uterine contractions becomes closer and closer in time and more intense
~When contractions are 4-5 mins apart you are ready to go to hospital
Second stage of labor
Babies head moves to birth canal
Urge to push
Labor lasts a few mins to a few hours
~Usually much shorter than first stage
The uterus contracts down, pushing baby to birth canal
Crowning: top of head is visible
Episiotomy:incision is made to perineum to make larger entrance for babies to exit
~17% of women
~more recommended for tissues to naturally tear for better healing
2nd stage of labor: Baby has first birth
Still connected by umbilical cord
Air in lungs
When baby can breathe on its own, umbilical cord is cut
Once baby is born, immediately place on mothers chest to promote parent-infant bonding
Promotes breast-feeding
Third stage labor
Placenta detaches
Afterbirth expelled
Any other fluids secreted
If episiotomy occur, stitches are given
Cesarean section (C-section)
C-section surgical procedure used for delivery
~Baby’s head too large
~Persons pelvis is too small
~Baby is breech or transverse(meaning feet first)
~Cervix is not dilating
~Person is nearing exhaustion
~Placenta previa: Placenta is attached to uterus and too close to cervix
percentage of c sections in CA
About 31.7% of births in canada in 2022 (higher than other western countries)
Vaginal birth is the most safest way
Rates of c-section are increasing bc More fetal monitoring during labor (more able to see if baby is in distress)
Certain risks higher after c-section
Infection of bladder or uterus
Injury to uterus
Injury to baby
C-section rates can be reduced when
hospital adopt appropriate precautions
Trauma informed care?
We need to approach all people with informed consent during labor and delivery
Making individual feels empowered and safe
Prepared childbirth
Education: to reduce fear of giving birth
Relaxation: during birth to reduce tension
Lamaze method (form of prepared childbirth)
~~Teaches relaxation, breathing exercises, reduces tension in body
~~Positive outlook on birth outlook, improves childbirth process
Doula
Women present for emotional and physical support
Can’t perform medical procedures
Very supported by research literature
Midwives
Very experienced in childbirth and labor
Stays with person throughout entire pregnancy
Give prenatal care
Can offer home or hospital birth
Anesthetics
Painkillers
Epidural
Laughing gas
Homebirth
Reserved for pregnant people who have low risk of complications
Rated more positive than hospital birth
Myths about motherhood/parenthood
Motherhood is completely happy and satisfying
Being a mother is a woman’s ultimate fulfillment
New mothers will feel perfectly component due to her “natural” mothering skills
The reality of parenthood
negative
Childcarae is exhausting
35% of babies in USA are born to unmarried women
Fathers usually help much less than expected
Post birth pain in uterus, vagina
New mothers feel incompetent
Expectations diff from reality
Little contact with other adults
Father may feel neglected by mother
Positive factors of parenthood
Women report incerases sense of own strength
Parenting can be fun and interesting
Idneifitng and developing ability to nurture
Role of partner
Excitement, pride
Role in pregnancy
Same concerns as person who gave birth
Pronatalist view:
child bearing as socially desirable
child free view
choose to without child
Postpartum issues
Physical changes
~Drastic drop in levels of estrogen and progesterone
Psychological changes
~Baby blues (usually goes away after couple weeks), postpartum depression (clinical, 10-20%)
Attachment
~Some people don’t feel attached to baby right away
~Difficulty to feel attached to baby
Postpartum sexuality
~Cervix needs to recover
~Wait 6 weeks before sex
~Sex can hurt
~Less sex after giving birth
Breast feeding
Colostrum(not milk) levels increase
Milk after 2-3 days of giving birth
Prolactin:levels stay constant as long as breastfeeding
Prolactin levels increase when baby wants to feed (feedback level)
Oxytocin
Bonding hormone in response to infant sucking on nipple
Should people breast feed?
According to canadian guidelines its good to breastfeed for first 6 months
Mixed reviews, but just being fed is best
When people breastfeed, it takes much energy, so people tend to lose weight
Infertility
Inability to conceive or inability to impregnate a person
Infertile means you have frequent unprotected sex for a year, and has not been successful
Getting pregnant success rates for fertile women
20% get pregnant after 1 month, 50% after 6 months, 80% after 1 year
Causes of infertility:
40% due to female, 40% due to male
Solutions to infertility
Timing, frequency, and positions of intercourse
Fertility
Drugs
Assisted insemination
Sperm donor
In vitro fertilization
Surrogate mother/pregnancy
Does female orgasm help with fertility (sucking up the sperm??)
Yes, With orgasm there’s more fluid, more retained semen
