copyright atomic dog publishing, 2004 chapter ten conception, pregnancy, and childbirth

Copyright Atomic Dog Publishing, 2004

Chapter TenConception, Pregnancy, and Childbirth


Do You Want to Have Children?

• Social Influences Motivating Individuals to Have Children Family Friends Religion Race Government Cultural Observances

• Individual Motivations for Having Children

Individual motivations, as well as social influences, play important roles in making the decision to have children.


Do You Want to Have Children?• Personal Choices: Choose to Have a Child

Without a Partner?

Problems with rearing children alone: Satisfaction of the emotional and disciplinary needs of the

child Satisfaction of adult emotional needs Satisfaction of adult sexual needs Lack of money Absence of a father


Conception

• Conception/Fertilization

The union of a sperm and an egg resulting in a zygote.

• Pregnancy

State of carrying developing offspring within the woman’s body. Begins 5-7 days after conception.


Problems with Conception – Infertility - 1

• Infertility

The inability to achieve a pregnancy after at least 1 year of regular sexual relations without birth control, or the inability to carry a pregnancy to a live birth.

• Types of Infertility Primary: Woman has never conceived despite regular sexual

relations for 12 months Secondary: Woman has previously conceived, but is

currently unable to do so Pregnancy wastage: Woman has been able to conceive but

unable to produce a live birth


Problems with Conception – Infertility - 2

• Causes of Infertility

Infertility problems may be attributed to the man (40%), the woman (40%), or both (20%).

• Psychological Reactions to Infertility

Not being able to get pregnant may be a psychological crisis, a grief experience, or an economic burden.


Assisted Reproduction - 1

• Hormone Therapy

Drug therapies are often used to treat hormonal imbalances, induce ovulation, and correct problems in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

• Artificial Insemination

The introduction of sperm into a woman’s vagina or cervix by means of a syringe, rather than a penis.

The sperm may be from a husband (AIH), or a donor (AID).



• Artificial Insemination of a Gestational Carrier/ Contract Mother

A woman who voluntarily agrees to be artificially inseminated, carry a baby to term, and give up the legal right to the baby at birth to a couple or individual desiring such a baby.



• Ovum Transfer/Embryo Transfer

A procedure in which sperm is placed into a surrogate woman.

When the egg is fertilized, her uterus is flushed out, and the zygote is implanted into the otherwise infertile female partner.



• In Vitro Fertilization/Test Tube Fertilization

Procedure that involves removing the woman’s ovum and placing it in a lab dish, fertilizing it with a partner’s or donor’s sperm, and inserting the fertilized egg into the woman’s uterus.

• Other Reproductive Technologies Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) Intracytoplasmic sperm injection


Preconception Care

• Care to help ensure the development of a healthy baby during pregnancy. Risk assessment Interventions to reduce risk General health promotion


Pregnancy -1

• The Developing Embryo


Pregnancy - 2

• Pregnancy Testing

Signs of pregnancy may include a missed period, morning sickness, enlarged and tender breasts, frequent urination, and excessive fatigue. However, pregnancy is best confirmed by laboratory tests and a physical examination.

• Physical Changes During Pregnancy

Side effects of pregnancy are listed in the following table.


Pregnancy – 3Table 13-1 Side Effects of Pregnancy

1st Trimester

Weeks 0-14

2nd Trimester

Weeks 15-26

3rd Trimester

Weeks 27-40

Nausea X

Vomiting X

Frequent urination X X

Leg cramps X

Vaginal discharge X X X

Fatigue X X X

Constipation X X X

Swelling X X

Varicose veins X X

Backache X X

Heartburn X

Shortness of breath X


Pregnancy - 4

• Growth of the Embryo and Fetus from 2 to 15 Weeks After Conception


Pregnancy - 5

• Amniocentesis


Pregnancy - 6

• Prenatal Care and Prenatal Testing Ultrasound scan Amniocentesis

• Miscarriage

Miscarriage/Spontaneous Abortion

The unintended termination of a pregnancy


Pregnancy - 7

• Psychological Changes During Pregnancy Stress related to physical issues Stress associated with ‘weight gain’ Stress due to concern for the baby’s welfare

• Sex During Pregnancy

Sexual desire, behavior, and satisfaction may change during pregnancy.

Although massive hormonal changes take place in pregnancy, no evidence links these changes to reduced libido.


Childbirth - 1

• Stages of Labor


Childbirth - 2

• Labor

Labor occurs in three stages, and although there are great variations, it lasts an average of 13 hours for the woman having her first baby (primigravida) and about 8 hours if the woman has given birth before (multigravida).


Childbirth - 3

• Cesarean Childbirth

A surgical incision made in the woman’s abdomen and the uterus to deliver a fetus.

• Personal Choices: Hospital or Home Birth?

Although more than 95% of all U.S. births do occur in the hospital, some expectant parents are concerned that traditional childbirth procedures are too impersonal, costly, and potentially dangerous.


Childbirth - 4

• Childbirth Preparation

Five essential elements of Lamaze: Education about anatomy and physiology Respiration techniques Conditioned relaxation Cognitive restructuring Social support


Adoption - 1

• Who Chooses to Adopt a Child?

Characteristics of those who typically adopt are White, educated, and high income.

• Characteristics of Children Available for Adoption

Adoptees in the highest demand are infant, White, healthy children.

Older, non-White children with health problems have been difficult to place.


Adoption - 2

• Same-Race Adoptions

In a study on transracial adoption attitudes of college students, overwhelmingly positive attitudes were found toward transracial adoption.

Data comparing children reared in transracial and same-race homes show few differences.


Transition to Parenthood - 1

• Transition to Motherhood Postpartum Blues Choosing Priorities

• Transition to Fatherhood

The importance of the father in the lives of children extends beyond economic considerations into the children’s current and future physical and psychosocial health.


Transition to Parenthood - 2

• Changes in a Marriage

Researchers disagree on the effect of children on a couple’s marriage.

Declines in marital happiness may be due to children or the passage of time.

copyright atomic dog publishing, 2004 chapter ten conception, pregnancy, and childbirth

Documents

conception infertility

father slide

childbirth slide

live birth slide

assisted reproduction

rearing children

surrogate woman

correct problems