Basics of Reproduction Information taken from Web MD

Basics of Reproduction Information taken from Web. MD, American Pregnancy Association, Kids. Health. org, & womenshealth. gov Tabacchi 2014

As Basic as it Gets: • Only a male and female can reproduce naturally • In the human reproductive process, two kinds of sex cells, or gametes (pronounced: gah-meetz), are involved. The male gamete, or sperm, and the female gamete, the egg or ovum, meet in the female's reproductive system to create a new individual. (kidshealth. org) • There are many ways to prevent pregnancy, but only ONE way is absolute prevent pregnancy or STDs is abstinence avoiding sexual activity altogether – Web md and womens health. gov

Other ways to prevent pregnancy: – Birth control pills are 97% effective (when and if used appropriately – must take them at the right time and consistently!) (from CBC news) – The contraceptive patch delivers a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones through the skin. 99% accuracy when used as directed. (info from http: //www. americanpregnancy. org/preventingpre gnancy/birthcontrolpatch. html) (http: //www. americanpregnancy. org/preventingpreg nancy/malecondom. html)

Other ways to prevent pregnancy: – Intrauterine devices — or IUDs — are T-shaped devices that fit inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. They must be inserted by a doctor but can be left inside the uterus for two to five years. They are made of copper or plastic and prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. They are considered 96 to 98 per cent effective. – The condom has remained the only effective option to avoid impregnating sexual partners. But it's more often marketed as the best protection against the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are a barrier method of birth control made of latex, polyurethane or lambskin, to be disposed of after each use. According to the Mayo Clinic, 2 out of every 100 condoms break. The typical use of condoms has a failure rate of 14 -15%. (http: //www. americanpregnancy. org/preventingpregnancy/maleco ndom. html)

From: http: //www. webmd. com/sex-relationships/guide/your-guide-female-reproductive-system

FEMALE ORGANS • The internal reproductive organs in the female include: • Vagina: The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside of the body. It also is known as the birth canal. • Uterus (womb): The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is the home to a developing fetus. The uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the lower part that opens into the vagina, and the main body of the uterus, called the corpus. The corpus can easily expand to hold a developing baby. A channel through the cervix allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit. • Ovaries: The ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones. • Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serve as tunnels for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants into the lining of the uterine wall. From: http: //www. webmd. com/sex-relationships/guide/your-guide-female-reproductive-system

Female Reproductive System • • CYCLE: Females of reproductive age experience cycles of hormonal activity that repeat at about one-month intervals. With every cycle, a woman's body prepares for a potential pregnancy, whether or not that is the woman's intention. The term menstruation refers to the periodic shedding of the uterine lining. (Menstru means "monthly"; hence the term menstrual cycle. ) POSSIBILITY OF PREGNANCY: The ovulatory phase, or ovulation, starts about 14 days after the follicular phase started. The ovulatory phase is the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, with the next menstrual period starting about two weeks later. – As the egg is released (a process called ovulation) it is captured by fingerlike projections on the end of the fallopian tubes (fimbriae). The fimbriae sweep the egg into the fallopian tube. – Also during this phase, there is an increase in the amount and thickness of mucous produced by the cervix (lower part of the uterus). If a woman were to have intercourse during this time, the thick mucus captures the man's sperm, nourishes it, and helps it to move towards the egg for fertilization.

Female Reproductive System • If intercourse has taken place and a man's sperm has fertilized the egg (a process called conception), the fertilized egg (embryo) will travel through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus. The woman is now considered pregnant. • If the egg is not fertilized, it passes through the uterus. Not needed to support a pregnancy, the lining of the uterus breaks down and sheds, and the next menstrual period begins.

How Many Eggs Does a Woman Have? • The vast majority of the eggs within the ovaries steadily die, until they are depleted at menopause. • At birth, there approximately 1 million eggs; and by the time of puberty, only about 300, 000 remain. • Of these, 300 to 400 will be ovulated during a woman's reproductive lifetime. • The eggs continue to degenerate during pregnancy, with the use of birth control pills, and in the presence or absence of regular menstrual cycles. • From webmd. com

http: //www. webmd. com/sex-relationships/guide/male-reproductive-system

MALE ORGANS • Penis: The opening of the urethra, the tube that transports semen and urine, is at the tip of the penis. • Semen, which contains sperm (reproductive cells), is expelled through the end of the penis. When the penis is erect, the flow of urine is blocked from the urethra, allowing only semen to be expelled. • Testicles : These are oval organs about the size of large olives that lie behind the penis. They are responsible for making testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, and for generating sperm. Within the testes are coiled masses of tubes called seminiferous tubules. These tubes are responsible for producing sperm cells. FROM: Web. MD

Male Organs, con’t • Urethra: The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body. In males, it has the additional function of expelling semen during intercourse. • Prostate gland: The prostate gland is a walnutsized structure that is located below the urinary bladder. The prostate gland contributes additional fluid for semen. Prostate fluids also help to nourish the sperm.

Facts • Only takes 1 sperm and 1 egg to make a baby • In a woman's body, sperm can live for up to five days, so if you have unprotected sex even a few days before your partner ovulates, there is a chance of achieving a pregnancy. • Expulsion of semen usually contains 100 million sperm • Why do so many sperm get expelled? The environment of the vagina and fallopian tubes has a highly acidic habitat and many sperm do not survive. Scientists believe that this is nature’s way of “weeding out” the weakest sperms and allowing only the strongest and healthiest to penetrate the egg and start a new life. From: Web. MD

Think About It • Every woman should be thinking about her health whether or not she is planning pregnancy. One reason is that about half of all pregnancies are not planned. • Women and men should prepare for pregnancy before becoming sexually active — or at least three months before getting pregnant. Some actions, such as quitting smoking, reaching a healthy weight, or adjusting medicines you are using, should start even earlier.

Think About It, Con’t • The five most important things you can do for preconception health are: – Take folic acid every day if you are planning or capable of pregnancy to lower your risk of some birth defects of the brain and spine, including spina bifida. – Stop smoking and drinking alcohol. – If you have a medical condition, be sure it is under control. Some conditions that can affect pregnancy or be affected by it include asthma, diabetes, oral health, obesity, or epilepsy. – Talk to your doctor about any over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are using. These include dietary or herbal supplements. Be sure your vaccinations are up to date. – Avoid contact with toxic substances or materials that could cause infection at work and at home. Stay away from chemicals and cat or rodent feces. • Taken from Womenshealth. gov

Think About It, con’t • It's best to be at a healthy weight when you become pregnant. Being overweight or underweight puts you at increased risk for problems during pregnancy. • Men need to be healthy too before planning a pregnancy • Its not OK to smoke, drink, or use medications during pregnancy • About 1 in 8 babies are born too early • Its best to see a Dr. at least 3 months before becoming pregnant. • From womenshealth. gov

Where does the added weight go? • • Baby – 6 to 8 pounds Placenta – 1½ pounds Amniotic fluid – 2 pounds Uterus growth – 2 pounds Breast growth – 2 pounds Your blood and body fluids – 8 pounds Your body's protein and fat – 7 pounds From womenshealth. gov

How much should a pregnant woman eat? • Twice as much? NO! • Your calorie needs will depend on your weight gain goals. Most women need 300 calories a day more during at least the last six months of pregnancy than they do pre-pregnancy. Keep in mind that not all calories are equal. Your baby needs healthy foods that are packed with nutrients — not "empty calories" such as those found in soft drinks, candies, and desserts • From womenshealth. gov

Great Websites • http: //www. womenshealth. gov/ • http: //www. webmd. com/parenting/default. ht m • http: //www. americanpregnancy. org/ • http: //www. whattoexpect. com/what-toexpect/landing-page. aspx