Winter 2018—Lecture 11
Human Pregnancy,
Childbirth, and
Parental Care
Dr. Christy Strand
Learning Catalytics
Session #:
Learning Objectives
After today’s class, you should be able to:
1. Identify the physiological mechanisms that prevent shedding of the inner
lining of the uterus when a woman becomes pregnant.
2. Describe the roles of specific hormones during the course of pregnancy.
3. Describe the basic appearance of a human embryo/fetus over the course of
the three trimesters of pregnancy.
4. Identify the factors that stimulate childbirth and describe the main stages.
5. Describe what happens during breech, nuchal cord, and placenta previa
deliveries.
6. Compare and contrast vaginal births and Cesearean sections.
7. Describe the mechanisms that stimulate lactation.
8. Identify the main health benefits of breast‐feeding.
The Human Life Cycle
# Chromo‐
somes CLEAVAGE
FERTILIZATION
23
46 Sperm
Fertilized
egg
Blastula
Egg
Gastrula
Adult
Early
Newborn Second First first
trimester trimester trimester
Negative
Feedback of
Hormones
‐
Gonadotropins
(LH, FSH)
+ Sex Steroids
Estrogen
Progesterone
The Menstrual Cycle
No implantation:
Drop in progesterone causes
menstruation.
Fertilization and Implantation
Implanted embryo
secretes embryonic
gonadotropin.
The Menstrual Cycle
As long as progesterone is
If implantation occurs… high, menstruation will not
occur and the fetus develops
Home pregnancy tests detect
embryonic gonadotropins in
urine
3‐day old human embryo on the tip of a pin
Fetal development—First Trimester
Embryo
12‐week fetus
(3.5 in)
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
End of 5th month (9‐10 in)
Fetal development—Second Trimester
End of 4th month (6 in)
End of 6th month (11‐12 in)
Survival of extremely premature babies
Fetal development—Third Trimester
End of 7th month (12‐14 in)
End of 8th month (17‐18 in)
End of 9th month (18‐20 in)
Hormones during pregnancy
Hormones during labor
Oxytocin +
Uterine Contractions
Hormones during labor
Oxytocin + +
Labor Induction
Epidural Anesthesia
Umbilical cord
1a Early dilation. Placenta
Baby’s head engaged; Uterus
Cervix
widest dimension Is along Vagina
left‐right axis.
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Umbilical cord
1a Early dilation. Placenta
Baby’s head engaged; Uterus
Cervix
widest dimension Is along Vagina
left‐right axis.
1b Late dilation.
Pubic
Baby’s head rotates so
symphysis
widest dimension is in
anteroposterior axis
(of pelvic outlet). Dilation
Sacrum
nearly complete
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Umbilical cord
1a Early dilation. Placenta
Baby’s head engaged; Uterus
Cervix
widest dimension Is along Vagina
left‐right axis.
1b Late dilation.
Pubic
Baby’s head rotates so
symphysis
widest dimension is in
anteroposterior axis
(of pelvic outlet). Dilation
Sacrum
nearly complete
2 Expulsion.
Baby’s head extends
as it is delivered. Shoulders
rotate & lower half easily Perineum
comes out.
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Episiotomy
Umbilical cord
1a Early dilation. Placenta
Uterus
Baby’s head engaged;
Cervix
widest dimension Is along Vagina
left‐right axis.
1b Late dilation.
Baby’s head rotates so Pubic
symphysis
widest dimension is in
anteroposterior axis
(of pelvic outlet). Dilation
nearly complete Sacrum
2 Expulsion.
Baby’s head extends
as it is delivered. Shoulders
rotate & lower half easily Perineum
comes out.
3 Uterus
Placental stage. Placenta (detaching)
After baby is delivered, the
placenta detaches and is
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. removed. Umbilical cord
Fontanels
The Placenta
• Nutrient, waste, and
gas exchange
• Makes hormones
important for
pregnancy and
childbirth
• “Cloaks” mother’s
immune system
Nuchal Cord
Breech
Placenta previa
Cesarean Section
Cesarean Section
Hormones during pregnancy
Milk is produced in the mammary glands
Why Breastfeed?