A CHILD IS BORN

1. A CHILD IS BORN Noel Gilbert

2. In the beginning From the start… to the end..

3. Couples From generation to generation, life renews itself in the encounter between males and females. Couples mate, kiss, have sex and make life.

4. The woman Female

5. What the woman does… • At the age of 11 or 12 the onset of female sexual maturity takes the form of a spurt of growth, swelling of breast and an increasingly womanly distribution of body hair. • Interplay of female hormones • The cervix protrudes into the upper part of the vagina. The opening of the cervix leads into the uterus. When ovulation occurs, transparent cervical mucus issues from this opening. The mucus screens out the sperm – making a preliminary selection – when sexual intercourse takes place. After a day or so, the cervix closes. For the remainder of the menstrual cycle, a viscous plus of mucus prevents the passage into the uterus of even the most vigorous sperm. Through this gateway to life, the baby will also pass through delivery.

6. The man Male

7. What the man does… • From boy to man • Growth of the body and the external sex organs, deepening of the voice and the development of hair on the face and body are governed by testosterone. • Mass production with numerous rejects • At each ejaculation, 2-5 milliliters of seminal fluid containing up to 500 million mobile sperm is discharged. But almost half of the sperm of a healthy young man have small defects that prevent them from fertilizing an ovum.

8. Ovulation In a woman’s life ovulation occurs about 400 times all together.

9. Ovulation process… • Ripening of the ovum • The ovum is sailing through the narrow Fallopian tube, which is some 15 cm long. Beneath the ovum we see the cilia, which gently propel it forward. The liquid in the Fallopian tube washes away the nutrient cells that surrounding the ovum. Here they still cluster about like a radiant wreath. Soon the ovum will be ready for fertilization and prepared to encounter the advances of the sperm. The chances of conceiving are highest in the net few hours. • Release and capture of the ovum • Several hours before the actual ovulation, the Fallopian tube has probably received signals as to the site on the ovary's surface where the rupture will take place. • The follicle ruptures ejecting fluid containing thousands of hormone-producing cells- and in its midst, its ovum, small than a pinhead. • The ovum is surrounded by nutrient cells that give it ample nourishment during its journey to the uterus.

10. fertilization The moment the sperm and egg fuse and a new individual beings to form.

11. How it all begins… Five hundred million sperm at the start Fusion A couple hundred sperm have reached their destination the ovum surrounded nu a porous sheath of nutrient cells. They penetrate one cell layer after another Sperm drops its tail. The sperm-- a package of genes. • During intercourse, sperm is ejaculated again the opening of the cervix at the far end of the vagina. • There are obstacles on the way, lots of energy, a forest of cilia. • Like a planet in the solar system, suspended by space, the ovum cell is surrounded by the corona radiata.

12. The long journey • The ovum remains in the Fallopian tube for about three days after fertilization, dividing repeatedly during its slow journey down towards the uterus. • The passage through the narrow part of the Fallopian tube usually takes a few hours. • One inside the uterus, one of the most critical phases of early development is over. • Implantation • Implantation is facilitated by the formation of small protuberances of sugar molecules on the blastocyst's surface. • Eight days old • The blastocyst has landed! Like a raspberry on a cake, it sings slightly into its formation. The clump is now made up of several hundred cells. • Progesterone is secreted by the ovary. Its task is to signal to the pituitary gland in the brain that the woman is pregnant and no menstrual period should take place. • Dangers on the way • Early miscarriages- so early that women are not even aware that they are pregnant. • Sometimes the fertilized ovum becomes suck in the Fallopian tube and cannot proceed. This is called ectopic pregnancy. • Hormonal changes • Becoming pregnant is a dramatic change with a global effect on the women– Both body and soul. • Become tired and irritable. • Interplay between hCG and progesterone gives the woman all her signs of pregnancy. A new life begins… Roughly 12 hours after the fusion of the chromosomes, the first cell division takes place. And the division then continue at intervals of 12 to 15 hours.

13. The first few weeks During the first few weeks after conception, a new developments occur which are crucial to future growth.

14. First few weeks… • Baby eight weeks old • The heart starts beating • Neither fish nor fowl • Day after day, the process of creation continue, will millions of cells forming custom-made building blocks. • Visible to the world • A tiny backbone • Caution in taking drugs • Before taking ay drugs or medications, it is wise to contact your doctor. • Only drugs absolutely necessary to a mother’s health should be considered. • Linking two circulations • The umbilical cord is the link between the placenta and the embryo. • Every organ in place • at eight weeks, the embryo is still only 4 cm long, but inside this tiny body, all the organs are already in place.

15. Early pregnancy For most women, it is a heady feeling to know that a baby is on the way.

16. The beginning of the pregnancy… • Previous pregnancies • Important to discuss any earlier pregnancies • “once a cesarean, always a cesarean” is an old wives tale. • Laboratory tests • Mother’s urine is taken, to see whether protein or sugar is leaking our via kidney’s • Physical examination • In many cases, a physician will choose to do a pelvic examination. • When is the baby due? • An average pregnancy lasts 280 days. • Diet during pregnancy • A mother’s growth is monitored by her weight. • Women will crave certain kinds of food. • Women should try and choose a variety of fresh, vitamin-rich foods. • Feminine hygiene • A shower– preferably hand held makes feminine hygiene easier.

17. The beginning of the pregnancy… • Vaccinations and infectious diseases • Most vaccinations are less advisable during pregnancy and some are downright dangerous. • Intercourse • A warm, loving relationship is more important than ever during pregnancy. • Alcohol and tobacco • Do not drink or do drugs • Live as usual • Women should live life normally until a few weeks before delivery • Employer’s responsibility • A healthy work environment becomes even more important during pregnancy. • Employers should make sure that it is healthy for pregnant women and should transfer them if necessary. • Ultrasound • The first sight of the baby.

18. Fetal development In the third month, the fetus will form the brain and the sensory organs.

19. The baby will develop… in the first 4 months • Eyes and vision • Ears and hearing • Hands and foot • Bones • Hair • Boy or girl • The baby’s sex is determined at the moment of fertilization. A human being in the making During the fourth month, the fetus grows 5 cm to over 10 cm.

20. Halfway to birth 18 to 20 weeks after the last menstrual period began, a women begins to notice the fits movements.

21. Halfway there.. • Common complaints • Varicose veins and hemorrhoids are common ailments in the third trimester. • Leg cramps • Massage and keeping toes from pointing can help with some pain. • Keeping fit • Special gymnastic exercises have been designed for pregnant women. • Women need to keep moving but also get much rest. • Preparing mind and body • Both parents need to be mentally prepared. • Preparations may include relaxation exercises and sometimes special breathing. • Visiting the hospital • An important part of the preparations, especially for the first-time mothers, is a visit to the hospital where the birth will take place.

22. Almost ready for life The fetus lies in a well-protected position, suspended in the amniotic fluid deep inside the uterus.

23. The fetus puts on weight • During the last 2 months in the uterus, the fetus builds up a protective layer of fat in its dermis. • Its weight increases by roughly 200 grams a week. • Until the seventh month of pregnancy the baby has space to move. The baby starts running out of space. Almost ready.. After 24 weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus weighs roughly half a kilo, it begins to have a chance of survival.

24. The last long weeks The abdomen becomes exceedingly large towards the end of the pregnancy.

25. Last weeks… • Positioning of the fetus • the doctor make careful assessments of the fetus’s position in the uterus. • In 97 percent of cases the head lies downward. • The doctor can try and turn the baby • The prefer to deliver breech position by the means of cesarean sections.

26. Labor and delivery The baby is about to come!

27. Waiting… • In the hospital • The maternity unit in the hospital is a world in itself. • After arriving at the hospital you might take a shower to relax • Stages of labor • The dilation stage • The expulsion stage • Delivery of the placenta • Pain relief • The presence of the father-to-be during labor enhances a woman’s sense of security • Injections of a narcotic analgesic • Local anesthesia or paracervical block • Epidural • Inhaling nitrous oxide • The body produces its own pain-relieving hormones

28. First Breath • Almost immediately comes the first cry • Encounter with the outside world • the newborn seems relieved to lie on his mothers stomach. • Euphoria • The baby has arrived • First eye contact • Mothers whispers to the baby as they look at each other • Gravity helps • The woman in labor derives help from the force of gravity. At the same time, if complications arise, it can save the baby. • Cesarean section • Incision through the Abdominal wall and opens The uterus to take the baby Out. Birth Now pain, joy, excitement are mingled. The experience of pain varies from one woman to another.

29. After the birth • In the hospital • When all goes well the mother and baby are checked by a nurse. • They are both watched for a couple of days. • Back home • The new family is able to go home and Enjoy life . • It may be stressful but an amazing experience. • After birth • the umbilical cord is cut • The placenta is expelled • Baby and mother are cleaned up • Mother and Father can now relax • Already coping dad • Newborn babies' imitate parents facial expressions. • Newborns can best see at a distance of 8 to 10 inches • Breastfeeding • Within a few hours of being born the baby is to put the mother’s breast to learn to suck. • A newborn may nurse as often as 8-10 times a day, • Research has shown that, even if it is placed as far down on the mother’s stomach, the newborn baby can locate the breast within a half an hour.

30. Special care Not all births end with joy… some babies need a little help.

31. A little help… • Neonatal intensive care • Premature babies may have difficulty in using their lungs to absorb oxygen, and also their intestines for nutrient exchange. • The days or weeks in the incubator must not become of period of insolation for the baby. • The intensive care can help a newborn baby live. They take all precautions to help the family and the baby. • Things do not always go well. The the baby may die in the course of delivery, or in intensive care.

32. Our genes We all look different… because of our genes!

33. Amniocentesis • A syringe and a long needle, a few milliliters of amniotic fluid are carefully withdrawn. After a few weeks tissue culture, the chromosomes of the fetal cells can be examined to ensure that they are normal. • Early genetic diagnosis • Late abortion is always a major emotional trauma for the woman concerned. • CVS is a new method whereby the obstetrician using a needle, removing a small fragment of the placenta for testing. • One chromosome to many • when chromosomal abnormalities are found by prenatal testing, a number of problem arise. • When a child had one chromosome to many they have down syndrome • Down syndrome occurs more often when a women becomes pregnant at a later age. Boy or girl? Each sperm cells contain 46 chromosomes. Boys have an extra Y chromosome and girls have an extra X chromosome.

34. Difficulties in conceiving Between 10 and 20 percent of all couples are infertile.

35. Infertility… • Fertilization outside the body • Aspiration of the ova. The woman lies, fully conscious, on the operating table as for a pelvic exam. The gynecologist uses ultrasound to guide the insertion of a needle toward the ovarian follicle via the vagina, which is locally anesthetized. By means of suction, the contents of the follicle are withdrawn into a test tube. • Research in human reproduction • Ways to research human reproduction: • Deep-freezing of sperm • Deep-freezing of unfertilized ova • Freezing of fertilized ova • Injection of sperm into the ovum • Pregnancy is not an illness. It’s a miracle! • Treating male infertility • The man may be allergic to his own sperm, and the woman may also be allergic to them. • A swimming speed test may be performed on sperm in mucus form the cervix. • Hormonal treatment • One common cause of female infertility is hormonal imbalance. • The simplest form of treatment is chlomiphene pills • Microsurgery • Surgical repair of the Fallopian tubes. • In vitro fertilization has partially replaces microsurgery, or at least restricted its application. • One possibly cause of the women's infertility may be constricted cervix.