Forming a New Life
MOTIVATIONS FOR
PARENTHOOD
Why Have Children?
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In the past, biologically & culturally
expected
Now, decisions influenced by birth control
techniques and changing social values
Advantages of parenthood:
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Giving and receiving warmth & affection
Experiencing growth & learning opportunities
Having others carry on after your death
Sense of accomplishment
How Large a Family?
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In 1960, average # of children = 3.1; today =
1.8 in U.S.
Smaller family size more compatible with
women’s decision to have both family &
career
Children can benefit from smaller families…
Large families economically disadvantaged
Only children just as well adjusted as children
with siblings
Is There a Best Time to Have a
Child?
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First births to women in 30’s increased
greatly over past two decades
Advantages of older parents
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Financially
More mature
Procrastination could lead to fertility
problems because of age
Becoming Parents: How
Conception Occurs
Conception
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How Fertilization Takes Place
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Sperm and ovum– the male and female
gametes (sex cells)– combine to create a
zygote
Zygote will duplicate itself by cell division to
create a baby
Conception
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How Fertilization Takes Place
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Girls have about 2 million ova in their ovaries
at birth, each contained in a follicle
During ovulation, a mature follicle is ruptured
and expelled from the ovary
Ovum is swept through the fallopian tube
toward the uterus
Conception
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How Fertilization Takes Place
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Several hundred million sperm are produced
in the testicles each day
Sperm enter the vagina through ejaculation
and attempt to reach the cervix; eventually a
few will arrive in the fallopian tubes where
fertilization takes place
Infertility
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The inability to conceive a child after a
year of unprotected intercourse or the
inability to carry a child to term
Fertility issues are equally distributed
among men and women
1% of children in U.S. are the product of
assisted fertility
Infertility
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Inability to Conceive a Baby After 12
Months of Trying
7 Percent of U.S. Couples are Infertile
Women’s Fertility Begins to Decline in the
Late 20s
Men’s Fertility Begins to Decline in the
Late 30s
Infertility
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Causes of Infertility
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Men
Too few sperm; 60-200 per ejaculation is too low
 Duct may be blocked, or sperm are unable to
“swim” well enough
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Infertility
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Causes of Infertility
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Women
Blockage in the fallopian tube
 Failure to produce ova or good quality ova
 Mucus in the cervix
 Disease in the uterine lining
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Infertility
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Treatments For Infertility
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Hormone treatment
Drug therapy
Surgery
PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
The Period of the Zygote
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Lasts about 2 weeks – from fertilization until
cell mass attaches to uterine wall
By 4th day, 60-70 cells form blastocyst
As many as 30% of zygotes do not make it
through the implantation phase
Placenta – permits food & oxygen to reach
embryo and waste to be carried away
Umbilical cord – connects the placental to the
developing organism
The Period of the Embryo
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Lasts from implantation to the 8th week of
pregnancy
Most rapid prenatal changes occur during
these 6 weeks
During this period, groundwork for all
body structures and organ development
begins; digestive/circulatory systems
Toward end of this period, embryo can
move!
The Period of the Fetus
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“growth and finishing” stage – lasts until end of
pregnancy
Incorporates end of 1st trimester, 2nd & 3rd trimesters
By middle of 2nd, mom can feel movement; fetus can
be irritated sounds & light
By 3rd, cerebral cortex enlarges, fetus spends more
time awake
Around 24 weeks, fetus can feel pain
By end of term, fetus moves less often due to space
constraints
Higher fetal activity during last weeks predicts more
active infant in first month of life
The Period of the Fetus
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Age of Viability – (22-26 weeks) the point at
which the fetus can first survive if born early
If born b/w months 7-8, usually needs oxygen
assistance to breathe
In the last weeks, most fetuses move into
upside-down position and growth slows…
GETTING READY FOR THE JOURNEY!
PRENATAL ENVIRONMENTAL
INFLUENCES
Complications of Pregnancy and Dangers to the
Fetus
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Effects of teratogens
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Substances that cause defects in embryonic
and fetal development
Infectious diseases
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German Measles (rubella)
Group B streptococcus
Complications of Pregnancy and Dangers to the
Fetus
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Pregnancy after age 35
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Is more common as women wait to have
children
Increased likelihood of chromosomal variation
Risk increases with increasing maternal age
Complications of Pregnancy and Dangers to the
Fetus
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Sexually transmitted
infections
Can be transmitted
from pregnant woman
to fetus, newborn, or
infant
Chlamydia
 Gonorrhea
 Hepatitis B
 HIV
 Syphilis
 Genital herpes
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Complications in Pregnancy
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Ectopic pregnancy
Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Premature births
Delayed labor
Diagnosing Abnormalities of the Fetus
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Ultrasound
Amniocentesis
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening
Ultrasound
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High frequency sound waves determine
size and position of fetus
Sonogram—picture
Estimates fetal age, guides during
amniocentesis, checks for physical birth
defects, evaluates complications during
pregnancy