Pregnancy and Childbirth
How much do you know?
Answer these questions to the best of your
ability
True or False?
_________1. Fertilization (when the sperm enters the egg) usually happens in
the uterus
_________2. The fertilized egg is called a zygote.
_________3. A developing human from fertilization through the first 8 weeks
is called a premature baby.
_________4. If a woman takes a pregnancy test and it is positive, that always
means that she is pregnant.
_________5. If a woman misses her period, this means she is pregnant.
_________6. The placenta is a blood vessel rich organ that forms in a
mother’s uterus—anything the mother ingests is passed through to the
baby through this.
Fertilization
1. Fertilization (when the sperm enters the egg) usually happens
in the uterus
• False: Fertilization usually occurs in the
fallopian tubes.
• It takes 3-5 days for a fertilized egg to travel to
the uterus
Fertilization continued
2. The fertilized egg is called a zygote
• True! A fertilized egg is called a zygote
– Once an egg is fertilized by a sperm, the egg
releases a protective “barrier” so no other sperm
can penetrate it
– While the zygote (a combination of the male and
female’s genetic material) travels to the uterus, it
starts dividing
Implantation
3.A developing human from fertilization through the first 8
weeks is called a premature baby.
• FALSE. A developing human from fertilization
to 8 weeks is called an embryo
– Embryos are made up of hundreds of divided cells
– The embryo implants itself into the uterine wall—
only then is a woman considered pregnant
Is she pregnant?
4.If a woman takes a pregnancy test and it is positive,
that always means that she is pregnant.
• TRUE. There are no false positive pregnancy
tests if the test was taken correctly and read
within the time limits!
– A pregnancy test shows the presence of human
chorionic gonadotropin hormone in urine—
woman do not this in their system unless they are
pregnant
Is she pregnant? Continued
5.If a woman misses her period, this means she is
pregnant
• False. Just because a woman misses her
period, that does not necessarily mean she is
pregnant.
– Women can miss their period for many reasons,
including stress, change in environment, reduced
body fat, or for no reason at all
– If you think you are pregnant, you should take a
pregnancy test or go to the doctor
The Placenta
6.The placenta is a blood vessel rich organ that forms in a mother’s uterus.
Anything the mother ingests is passed through to the baby through this.
• 6: True. The growth of a baby is dependent on
the placenta
– The placenta provides a link between the mother
and the baby
– Everything the mother ingests can be passed
through the placenta to the baby (including drugs
and alcohol)
The 3 stages of Development
• Stage 1: The first Trimester
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First 3 months of development
Heart starts beating (4 weeks)
Arm and leg buds appear
Eyes and brain begin to develop
Embryo is less than a ¼ inch (the size of a BB pellet)
Umbilical cord develops
By the end of the first trimester, all major parts are
developed, but can’t function fully yet
Stage 2: The 2nd Trimester
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Months 4-6
Organ systems continue to develop
by month 4, most mom’s can feel the baby
Reproductive organs are distinct
The fetus can hear and recognize voices
Hair forms
If a baby is born at the end of the 2nd trimester, it
can survive (but will need medical assistance)
Stage 3: The 3rd trimester
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Months 7-9
Fetus gains the most weight during this time
Brain develops further
Fetus can even grasp with his/her hands
Fat cells grow rapidly
By 36 weeks, a baby can be born at any time
How can a woman stay healthy during
pregnancy?
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Avoid alcohol/drugs
Eat healthfully
Take prenatal vitamins (folic acid)
Get regular exercise
Go to the doctor early and often
Stages of Childbirth
• STAGE 1: DILATION
– Cervix opens (dilates) to 10 cm
– Membranes erupt (water breaks!)
– This stage can take a LONG time
STAGE 2: Expulsion
• Baby’s head emerges fully and shoulders
rotate
• Sometimes the woman needs an episiotomy
to help with this stage
• This stage is over when the baby is born
STAGE 3: Placental
• Uterus expels the placenta (afterbirth) and
umbilical cord
Types of Childbirth
• 1. Natural Childbirth: when the mother delivers
the baby through the vagina. “Natural” does not
necessarily mean a delivery without pain
medication.
• 2. Cesarean section: baby and placenta are lifted
out of the mother’s body through a surgical
procedure
• 3. Breech birth: the baby is turned the wrong
way—sometimes can be turned, sometimes
needs a c-section