Pregnancy and Childbirth

Definition: A state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus inside the uterus
Stages:
- Embryonic stage (weeks 1-8): rapid growth and development
- Fetal stage (weeks 9-38): growth and maturation
Types:
- Singleton pregnancy: one fetus
- Multiple pregnancy: two or more fetuses
Complications:
- Miscarriage: spontaneous loss of a fetus
- Ectopic pregnancy: pregnancy outside the uterus
- Preterm labor: birth before 37 weeks
Prenatal care: regular check-ups with a healthcare provider during pregnancy

Definition: infections spread through sexual contact
Types:
- Bacterial: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis
- Viral: HIV, herpes, HPV
- Parasitic: trichomoniasis
Symptoms:
- Genital sores, warts, or rashes
- Unusual discharge or odor
- Burning during urination
Prevention:
- Safe sex practices: condoms, abstinence
- Vaccination: HPV, hepatitis
Testing and treatment:
- Screening tests: blood, urine, or swab samples
- Antibiotics or antiviral medication for bacterial and viral infections

Definition: the regular shedding of the uterine lining (endometrium) in females
Menstrual cycle:
- Follicular phase (days 1-14): hormone regulation and ovulation
- Luteal phase (days 15-28): preparation for fertilization
Menstrual disorders:
- Dysmenorrhea: painful periods
- Amenorrhea: absence of periods
- Menorrhagia: heavy or prolonged bleeding
Menstrual hygiene:
- Sanitary products: pads, tampons, menstrual cups
- Hygiene practices: washing hands, changing products regularly

Definition: the ability to conceive and produce offspring
Factors affecting fertility:
- Age: declines with age, especially after 35
- Lifestyle: smoking, obesity, stress
- Medical conditions: PCOS, endometriosis
Infertility:
- Primary infertility: never been pregnant
- Secondary infertility: difficulty conceiving after a previous pregnancy
Fertility treatments:
- Medications: ovulation induction, hormone regulation
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART): IVF, ICSI

Definition: methods to prevent pregnancy
Types:
- Hormonal: birth control pills, patches, rings
- Barrier: condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps
- Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC): IUDs, implants
- Emergency contraception: morning-after pill
Effectiveness:
- Perfect use: following instructions correctly
- Typical use: average effectiveness in real-world scenarios
Contraindications:
- Hormonal methods: blood clots, breast cancer
- Barrier methods: latex allergy, skin irritation

Pregnant women carry a developing embryo or fetus inside the uterus for approximately 38 weeks
Embryonic stage lasts from weeks 1-8 and is characterized by rapid growth and development
Fetal stage spans from weeks 9-38 and involves growth and maturation
Singleton pregnancy involves one fetus, while multiple pregnancy involves two or more fetuses
Complications can arise, including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and preterm labor
Regular prenatal care is essential for a healthy pregnancy

Infections are spread through sexual contact, and can be bacterial, viral, or parasitic in nature
Bacterial STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis
Viral STDs include HIV, herpes, and HPV
Parasitic STDs include trichomoniasis
Symptoms may include genital sores, warts, or rashes, unusual discharge or odor, and burning during urination
Safe sex practices, such as using condoms and abstinence, can prevent STDs
Vaccination is available for some STDs, including HPV and hepatitis
Screening tests, such as blood, urine, or swab samples, can detect STDs, and antibiotics or antiviral medication can treat bacterial and viral infections

Menstrual cycle is the regular shedding of the uterine lining, occurring approximately every 28 days
Follicular phase lasts from days 1-14 and involves hormone regulation and ovulation
Luteal phase lasts from days 15-28 and prepares the uterus for fertilization
Menstrual disorders include dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and menorrhagia
Sanitary products, such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups, can aid in menstrual hygiene
Proper hygiene practices, including washing hands and changing products regularly, are essential for maintaining menstrual health

Fertility is the ability to conceive and produce offspring, and is affected by age, lifestyle, and medical conditions
Age negatively impacts fertility, especially after 35
Smoking, obesity, and stress can also affect fertility
Medical conditions, such as PCOS and endometriosis, can impact fertility
Infertility can be primary or secondary, and can be treated with medications, hormone regulation, and assisted reproductive technology (ART)

Contraception involves methods to prevent pregnancy, including hormonal, barrier, and long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods
Hormonal methods, such as birth control pills, patches, and rings, regulate hormones to prevent pregnancy
Barrier methods, such as condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps, prevent sperm from reaching the egg
LARC methods, such as IUDs and implants, provide long-term pregnancy prevention
Emergency contraception, such as the morning-after pill, is available for post-coital contraception
Effectiveness of contraception methods varies depending on perfect use and typical use
Contraindications for hormonal methods include blood clots and breast cancer, while barrier methods may be contraindicated for latex allergy or skin irritation

8 Questions