Pregnancy and Childbirth

Pregnancy

• 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

STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

• 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

Menstrual Health

• 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

Fertility

• 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

Contraception

• 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

Pregnancy

• 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

STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)

• 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 Health

• 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

• 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

• 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

Learn about the stages, types, and complications of pregnancy, as well as prenatal care. Understand the process of carrying a developing embryo or fetus inside the uterus.