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Pregnancy and Birth website

I. Symptoms: Each could be caused by something else:
1. Missing a period
2. Morning sickness
3. Fatigue
4. Breast tenderness
5. weight gain
6. frequent urination

II. HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropic Hormone.
· Produced by embryo. Outer layer of cells of Blastocyst
· Keeps corpus luteum functioning
· Depresses mother's immune system so that placenta can develop
· Blood test called RIA detects HCG
· 60% of fertilized eggs don't make it because of chromosomal abnormalities.
III. EPT - Early pregnancy test. Uses urine. First urine of day is most concentrated.
IV. Why should you make sure as early as possible:
1. teratogenic substances: cause birth defects. Alcohol, drugs. Fetal Alcohol syndrome, fetal drug addiction. Hyperactivity, learning disabilities, etc.
2. Smoking: causing constriction of umbilical cord, less oxygen, lower birth weight, increase possibility of crib death

II. Enhancing Conception
a. Predicting time of ovulation
i. Mucus method: changes in cervical mucus
ii. Basal body temperature drops slightly immediately before ovulation.
b. Low sperm count? Sperm retrieval from epididymus using needle.
c. Artificial insemination: semen mechanically introduced into vagina
d. In vitro fertilization-After 2-3 days, developing embryos introduced in women's uterus.

III. Body changes during pregnancy
a. 1st 3 months (trimester) (months 1, 2, 3)
i. breasts increase in size as mammary glands develop. Nipples and areola usually darker
ii. Fatigue
iii. Nausea
b. 2nd trimester)\ (months 4, 5, 6)
i. waistline thickens
ii. abdomen begins to protrude
iii. fetal movements felt
iv. Reduction in nausea and tiredness
v. Breasts secret a thin, yellowish fluid (colostrum)
c. 3rd trimester (months 7, 8, 9)
i. Fetal movements seen and felt
ii. Enlarged uterus produces pressure on stomach, intestines and bladder (discomfort, indigestion, frequent urination)

IV. Embryo and Fetal Development
A. Week 1: Zygote -> Blastocyst -> Trophoblast
B. Week 9: Embryonic heartbeat, ½" to 1" long. Spinal canal, rudimentary arms, eyes, toes, fingers
C. Week 12: 3" long. Liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs
D. Week 16: Sex distinghished, fingernails, eyebrows, fine hair over skin
E. Week 20: weight 1 lb, fetus opens eyes
F. Week 28: 4- 7 pounds (ave.), skin covered with waxy substance (vernix caseosa)

V. Placenta development
A. Embryo/Fetus joined to placenta by umbilical cord.
B. Nutrients, oxygen from maternal blood pass into fetal circulatory system; carbon dioxide and waste pass into mother's vessels.
C. Prevents most bacteria and viruses from entering fetal blood, except HIV
D. Substances ingested by mother can cross-medications, drugs, alcohol, tobacco.

VI. Detecting birth defects
A. Amniocentesis: 14th-16th week of pregnancy. Amnionic fluid collected with needle, fetal cells collected, chromosomes analyzed.
B. Chorionic villus sampling -protrusions on a membrane surrounding placenta-sample of villus removed. Can be done in 10th week, earlier than Amniocentesis.