• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

• Drinking while pregnant can cause miscarriages, premature birth.

• Specific facial traits, like a smooth area between the nose and upper lip, can develop because of alcohol exposure.

• While FAS is entirely preventable through abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy, there is no cure.

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• A woman is most fertile during the fertile window (usually the five days before ovulation and the day after ovulation.) Ovulation can be detected by monitoring the woman’s body temperature as it increases during this time and the texture of cervical mucus changes. (Becomes more slippery and clear which helps increase the chance of conception)

Conception: (Week 0)

• When a male ejaculates into the vagina, millions of sperm are released, but only a few reach the cervix, uterus, and eventually, the fallopian tubes. (This is where fertilization takes place). Pregnancy does not begin right away; it may take up to 5 days after intercourse for the sperm and egg to unite. When the two gametes first join, the product is called a zygote. It contains all the genetic DNA to become a baby. Half of the DNA came from the mother and the other half from the father.

• The egg always carries an X chromosome while the sperm carries either an X or Y chromosome. This determines the gender of the baby (XX = Female)(XY = Male)

  
  

(Week 1)

• After a few days, as the zygote moves down to the uterus from the fallopian tube, cleavage happens. This is the process of a zygote going through multiple mitotic divisions that break down the large volume of egg cytoplasm into several smaller, nucleated cells.

• 3-4 days of division turns the zygote into a morula (a solid ball of cells)

Implantation (Week 2)

• As it continues to travel to the uterus and more cell divisions, the morula becomes a blastocyst. It’s made up of an inner group of cells with an outer shell. When it reaches the uterus, it attaches itself to the uterine lining where it will stay attached for the rest of the pregnancy. (Implantation) Wherever the blastocyst attaches will be where the baby receives its nutrients from the mother’s blood.

Week 13-16:

• The baby’s sex is becoming apparent (Parents are able to find out the gender of the fetus during this time)

• Baby begins to make urine

• The scalp is forming

• The baby’s eyes start to move

• Baby is growing rapidly

Week 17-19:

• Toenails begin to develop

• Baby is becoming more active in the amniotic sac

• Baby’s ears stand out in the side of their head and may begin to hear

• Week 19: Growth slows down

• A greasy coating develops on baby called the vernix caseosa to avoid baby from getting abrasions

Week 20-23

• Reached the halfway point in pregnancy

• Mother may be able to feel the baby’s movement

• Baby is regularly sleeping and waking, mother may wake the baby up by noise or movement

• Fetus is able to suck their thumb

• Hair becomes visible

• Fingerprints and footprints form

Week 24-27:

• Baby’s skin is red/pink due to visible blood in the capillaries

• The baby is able to respond to familiar sounds

• Week 27: Second trimester ends

28-32 Weeks

• The baby's eyes open and close, their brain develops quickly, and their bones are fully formed but still soft.

33-36 Weeks

• As the baby's lungs develop, the head usually tilts downward.

37-40 Weeks

• After birth, the baby is considered full-term when its organs are fully formed, its skin softens out, and an increase in fat regulates its body temperature.

• It helps with uterus and fetal growth, increasing during pregnancy and reaching its maximum in the third trimester.

• Stimulates the growth of the breasts' milk ducts to get them ready for breastfeeding.

Progesterone

• It keeps the lining of the uterus intact and stops contractions until labor is about to begin.

• Strengthens the cervix's mucus which serves as an infection-prevention barrier.

Relaxin

• Makes the pelvic ligaments more easier for labor.

• Helps the baby pass through during birth by softening and enlarging the cervix.

Oxytocin

• Essential for attachment after delivery and starting labor.

• It stimulates contractions in the uterus during labor and helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size after delivery.

Hormones Involved in Parturition

• Relaxin: Produced by the placenta prior to labor, causes the relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and the widening of the birth canal.

• Oxytocin & Prostaglandin: cause uterine contractions

Stages of Delivery

1. Dilation Stage

   • Uterine contractions and oxytocin causes the cervix to dilate/open

   • During this stage, the amniotic sac breaks, and amniotic fluid is released through the vagina

2. Expulsion Stage

   • Forceful contractions push the baby through the cervix to the birth canal (vagina)

   (Positive Feedback Loop)

   • Oxytocin is released by the pituitary gland in response to the baby pushing down on the mother's cervix

   • Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract, pushing the baby further down towards the cervix

   • The baby pushing on the cervix signals the pituitary gland to increase oxytocin release, making the uterus squeeze harder

   • The head rotates, making it easier for the body to pass through

   • Positive feedback loop ends after birth (baby no longer pushing on the cervix)

3. Placenta Stage

   • The placenta and umbilical cord are expelled from the uterus

   • called afterbirth

Hormones Involved in Lactation

• Prolactin: pituitary hormone that stimulates and maintains milk production

• Oxytocin: Pituitary hormone that causes muscle contractions in the nipples to expel the milk from breastfeeding

Process of Lactation

1. Mammogenesis (Breast Development)

   • During puberty and pregnancy, the mammary glands develop and grow during this stage.

   • During Pregnancy: Human placental lactogen, progesterone, and estrogen are among the hormones that stimulate the development of milk ducts and alveoli, which are cells that produce milk.

   • The breasts increase in size as the glands prepare for milk production.

2. Lactogenesis (Initiation of Milk Production)

   • Lactogenesis I: This lasts until a few days after delivery and starts in the second trimester. The baby's first food during this time is colostrum, a nutrient-rich substance produced by the breasts.

   • Lactogenesis II: This starts between 2-4 days postpartum when milk production starts to rise sharply. It is brought on by an increase in prolactin and a decrease in progesterone following placenta delivery. Colostrum turns into mature milk.

• Genetic Cause: Down Syndrome happens when an extra chromosome 21 is present at conception.

• Higher Risk of Miscarriage: There's an increased chance of miscarriage in early pregnancy.

• Screening Tests: Tests like blood tests and ultrasounds can suggest if the baby might have Down Syndrome.

• Non-Invasive Testing (NIPT): This blood test from week 10 checks fetal DNA for Down Syndrome risk.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13-27)

• Confirmation Tests: Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) can confirm Down Syndrome if screening tests suggest a risk.

• Detailed Ultrasound: Around 18-20 weeks, an ultrasound may show signs like heart defects or certain physical traits linked to Down Syndrome.

• Growth Monitoring: The baby may grow more slowly than expected, so growth is closely monitored.

Third Trimester (Weeks 28-40)

• Frequent Check-Ups: Doctors monitor the baby's growth and heart closely since complications can be more likely.

• Risk of Early Birth: There's a higher chance of preterm labor.

• Planning for Delivery: Doctors may plan labor at a hospital with specialized care if the baby has heart or growth problems.

Week three is the start of the embryonic period. This is when the baby’s major systems and structures start to form.

• Gastrulation is what happens when an embryo transforms from a one-dimensional layer of epithelial cells (cells that line surfaces and cavities in the body) and becomes a multilayered structure.

• Gastrulation develops into a three tissue-layered organism made of the endoderm (Inner primary germ layer). It develops into the digestive tract, respiratory tract, and other internal organs. The mesoderm (Middle primary germ layer), it develops into muscle cells, connective tissue, heart, internal reproductive organs. Finally, the ectoderm (Outer primary germ layer). It develops into the nervous system, epidermal skin, hair and nails.

Differentiation and Morphogenesis

• Gastrulation marks the start of morphogenesis (Week 3-8). This is the development of the baby’s overall shape and the arrangement of organs and tissues. (Morphogenesis depends on the ability of early embryonic cells to become different types of cells; differentiation)

• The embryo’s cells multiply and begin to take on specific functions of cells. Blood cells, nerve cells, and kidney cells, muscle cells form. This process is called differentiation. (Week 3 and beyond)

  
  

  5-8 Weeks:

• The embryo is now recognizable as a developing baby

• The baby’s head is much larger than the rest of its body and its elbows and hands appear but the fingers are still fused together. The eyes are a little visible.

  
  

  9-12 Weeks:

• The embryo is now called a fetus. The fetus already has a human appearance. The nose, mouth and eyes (eyelids closed) are identifiable.

• All major organs are formed and the body is taking shape

• The fingers are separated now and toes start to form.

• Baby starts to move around.

• Levels decrease after the first trimester

  
  

  Estrogen

• Levels continue to rise to help uterine growth and blood flow to the uterus

  
  

  Progesterone

• Continues to rise. It maintains the uterine lining and prevents premature contractions.

  
  

  Prolactin

• Levels start to rise to prepare for breastfeeding

“The Third Trimester.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 20 June 2024, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-third-trimester#:~:text=The%20Third%20Trimester%3A%20Fetal%20Development,average%2C%206%20to%209%20pounds.

professional, Cleveland Clinic medical. “Lactation (Human Milk Production): How It Works.” Cleveland Clinic, 12 July 2024, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22201-lactation.

“About Alcohol Use during Pregnancy.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/alcohol-pregnancy/about/index.html#:~:text=Alcohol%20use%20during%20pregnancy%20is,alcohol%20spectrum%20disorders%20(FASDs). Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.

Infertility - Difficulty in conceiving but it’s possible

If one of the parents is infertile or sterile, they can use other methods to conceive:

• Donor eggs or sperm (using gametes from donors)

• Surrogacy (having another woman carry and deliver the baby)

• Adoption

• In Vitro Fertilization (combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory)

• Artificial Insemination (sperm are collected and concentrated before being put in the vagina)

First trimester

• During this time, the baby’s brain and spinal cord are forming. Alcohol disrupts this development which can lead to less brain cells

• Growing up, children may have trouble with social skills and managing emotions as they grow.

Second Trimester

• The formation of the connection of neurons begin, alcohol may impair this, leading to less effective neuron communication

• Many brain areas may be affected such as the frontal cortex, affecting the baby’s future cognitive abilities

Third Trimester

• The brain grows rapidly during this time, exposure to alcohol would lead to a smaller brain size. The child may have problems with behaviour and attention

  
  

• Amnion (A transparent sac that encloses the embryo and is filled with a clear fluid (Amniotic fluid) providing cushion and a stable environment, allows the baby to move and prevents limbs from sticking to the body)

• Yolk sac (Does NOT serve any nutritive function. It contributes to the formation of the digestive tract and makes the first blood cells and the future egg or sperm cells)

• Allantois (Makes the foundation of the umbilical cord and degenerates overtime. The rest becomes part of the bladder)