Conceiving Children

© Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.

When am I most fertile?

Fertility peaks around 20 – 24 years

How do I know if I am pregnant?

(common during first trimester) Breast tenderness Nausea and vomiting Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

(HCG) in blood test • Can detect pregnancy one week

after conception

Fatigue

What are the stages of childbirth?

What happens during the first stage of Childbirth (labor)? “Bloody show” Uterine contractions Ruptured amniotic sac (Water breaks)

What happens during the second stage of childbirth? Birth of child

What happens during the the third stage of childbirth?

Placenta

Do you remember?

When are you most fertile? How do you know if you are pregnant? How early can you determine if you are

pregnant? What happens during childbirth?

• First stage• Second stage• Third stage

When is a Cesarean section performed?

Fetal distress during labor Feet or bottom presents first

What causes male infertility?

50% of infertility = male factors Smoking Alcohol abuse Environmental toxins Low sperm count Low sperm motility STD’s Blocked tubes

What causes female infertility?

50% of infertility = female factors Lack of ovulation Blocked tubes STD’s

Do you remember?

When is a cesarean section performed?

What causes male infertility? What causes female infertility? What are common causes for both

sexes?

What treatments are there for infertility?

Artificial insemination• Semen introduced into woman’s

vagina,cervix, or uterus

In vitro Fertilization GIFT (Gamete intrafallopian transfer) ZIFT (Zygote intrafallopian transfer) ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

Artificial insemination

What is In Vitro fertilization?

Fertilizing egg in dish Placed into uterus

What is GIFT? (Gamete intra-fallopian transfer)

Sperm and ova placed directly into fallopian tube

What isZIFT? (Zygote intrafallopian transfer)

Egg fertilized in dish Placed into fallopian tube

What is ICSI? (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

Single sperm injection Best when quality or quantity of semen

is poor

Do you remember?

What are the treatments for infertility? What is GIFT, ZIFT, ICSI? Which one is best when sperm quality

or quantity is poor?

How does pregnancy effect my sex life?

Sexual interest progressively declines over the nine months

Sexual activity and orgasm may continue as desired until labor begins

Can resume intercourse 6-8 weeks after delivery

Do you remember?

What happens to sexual interest over the 9 months of pregnancy?

How long can you continue sexual activity during pregnancy?

When can you resume intercourse after delivery?