Basics of Reproduction
Information taken from WebMD, American
Pregnancy Association, KidsHealth.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/malecon
dom.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 are 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: WebMD
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: WebMD
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?
• 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/
• http://www.webmd.com/parenting/default.ht
m
• http://www.americanpregnancy.org/
• http://www.whattoexpect.com/what-toexpect/landing-page.aspx