Pregnancy and Childbirth Raise Major Health Concerns
The Fertilization of an Ovum Is Followed by Implantation
Box 8.1 Birth Facts
Pregnancy Is Confirmed by Hormonal Tests
Infertility Can Result from a Problem in the Woman or in the Man
A variety of factors can reduce sperm counts
Box 8.2 The Scent of an Ovum
Sperm can be donated
In vitro fertilization can circumvent many sperm problems
Abnormalities of the female reproductive tract may reduce fertility
Failure to ovulate can be dealt with by drugs or by egg donation
Box 8.3 Choosing Children’s Sex
Surrogate mothers bear children for others
Adoption is limited by the supply of healthy infants
Fertility declines with age
Box 8.4 Commercial Gestational Surrogacy—An Ethical Minefield
Many Embryos Do Not Survive
Rh factor incompatibility can threaten second pregnancies
Ectopic pregnancy can endanger the mother’s life
Pregnancy Is Conventionally Divided into Three Trimesters
The First Trimester Is a Period of Major Changes
Prenatal care provides health screening, education, and support
Adequate nutrition is vital to a successful pregnancy
Tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and radiation can harm the fetus
The Second Trimester Is the Easiest
Tests can detect fetal abnormalities
Sex during pregnancy is healthy
Moderate exercise during pregnancy is beneficial
The Third Trimester Is a Time of Preparation
A hospital is the best location for childbirth if
complications are foreseen
Childbirth classes prepare parents for birth
The fetus also makes preparations for birth
Labor Has Three Stages
The first stage of labor is marked by uterine contractions and cervical dilation
The second stage is the delivery of the baby
Box 8.5 Pain-free Childbirth
The newborn child adapts quickly
The third stage is the expulsion of the placenta
Premature or delayed birth is hazardous
Box 8.6 Cesarean Section
The Period after Birth Places Many Demands on Parents
Postpartum depression may be accompanied by disordered thinking
Childbirth and parenthood affect sexuality
Breast-Feeding Is the Preferred Method of Nourishing the Infant
Lactation is orchestrated by hormones
The content of breast milk changes over time
Infant formula is an alternative to breast milk
Breast-feeding has many advantages and some drawbacks
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