Fertilization and prenatal care

1. Fertilization and prenatal care

2. Fertilization • After fertilization in the female's fallopian tube, the nuclei of the sperm and egg fuse to form a new cell (the zygote). A fertilized ovum is called a zygote. • Once a sperm has fertilized the ovum a film immediately surrounds the zygote to prevent other sperm from penetrating. • Remaining Sperm die. • Usually takes place in the Fallopian Tubes

3. Fertilization Continued… • After being fertilized the zygote then travels to the uterus to implant it’s self in the uterine wall. • Some occasions, an ectopic pregnancy may occur, which means the implantation of the zygote occurred outside the uterus. • The most common site is within a Fallopian tube, however, it can occur: • Ovary • Abdomen • the lower portion of the uterus (the cervix).

4. Days 3 to 4 • This cell contains 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent cell.  • As the zygote travels to the uterus, it divides, forming a cluster of cells (morula) by about 3 days after fertilization. • The morula develops a cavity and is now known as a blastocyst, which will become the embryo. 

5. Days 4 to 5 • Cell prepares itself to be implanted into the lining of the uterus • Endometrium becomes thick and spongy to prepare for implantation. • Within the cell cover of the blastocyst's cavity, it then develops into a fluid- filled sac covering the embryo, and the yolk sac. 

6. Days 7 to 8 • The blastocyst is completely imbedded into the endometrium, and forms the placenta.  • Now the cell is called the embryo. • About the size of the dot over an i • Cells divide until three layers for baby’s organ. • The outer layer grows into the baby's skin and nerves. • The middle layer grows into cartilage, bones, connective tissues, muscles, the circulatory system, kidneys, and sex organs. • The inner layer grows into the organs of breathing and digestion. At 22 days the baby's heart begins to beat.

7. The Embryo, Placenta, and Umbilical Cord

8. Definitions • Amnion – (bags of water) membrane that forms around the developing embryo • Acts as a shock absorber to protect embryo. • Placenta- Forms along the lining of the uterus. • Blood enriched tissue that transfers oxygen and nutrients from mother’s blood • Serves as lungs, liver, kidneys, endocrine glands, and digestive system for the developing embryo. • Blood of the mother and embryo never mix. • So body will not reject baby as foreign organism. • Oxygen, nutrients, and waste “pass through” • Umbilical Cord – made up of blood vessels • About 20 inches in length • Connects placenta to mother’s blood vessels

9. Definitions Continued…… • HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)- Secreted by the placenta • Stimulates production of estrogen and progesterone. • Helps maintain lining of the uterus. • Prevents ovulation from occurring.

10. Determining Pregnancy • Doctor’s Office / Lab • Check for HCG • Present in the mother’s urine. • Detectable as early as one week after first missed period • Radioimmunoassay • Can detect HCG up to one week before period is to begin. • Internal Examination • Cervical Changes • Size of the uterus

11. Determining Pregnancy Cont…. • Home Pregnancy Tests • Measures HCG • “Negatives” tend to be less reliable than “Positives”

12. Prenatal Care • Doctor’s Visit • As soon as possible • Dr. does internal as well as blood • Monitors baby’s development • Monitors mothers health behaviors • Eating habits and vitamins discussed. • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • Can cause physical, mental, and behavioral abnormalities • Babes are shorter and lighter • Impaired Speech • Mental Retardation • Hyperactivity • Poor Conditiion

13. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • Can Cause birth defects • Cleft Palate • Facial Abnormalities • Heart Defects • Alcohol drunk by the mother is passed directly to the baby • Baby can become drunk • Can be born addicted to alcohol • Baby cannot rid itself of alcohol for a long period of time • Where does the alcohol pass through to the baby??????

14. Smoking • Greater chance of premature birth • Lower birth rate • Smokers are 2 times more likely to have a miscarriage or stillbirth • Both stillbirth and miscarriage are types of pregnancy loss, but they differ by when the loss occurs. • A miscarriage(sometimes called a spontaneous abortion) is when a baby dies before the 20th week of pregnancy. • Stillbirth is the death of a baby after the 20th week of pregnancy but before delivery. • Also at risk from passive smoking. • Each year in the United States about 25,000 babies, or 68 babies every day, are born still.

15. Responsibility of the Mother • Get prenatal care early. Go to all your regularly scheduled doctor appointments. • Eat a well-balanced diet. Continue to take a multivitamin to be sure that mother and baby both get the nutrients they need. • Gain enough weight, but not too much. • Money

16. Costs of Having a Baby • The costs of raising a baby to age 18 costs between $125,000-$250,000 and that's not including college tuition! • In your baby's first year alone, you can easily spend between $9,000-$11,000 • diapers, formula, baby furniture, clothing, baby gear, etc. • Two things that can save you money right off is deciding to use cloth diapers, using 2nd hand items and breastfeeding.