The Birth Process

Fetal Development Fetal development occurs from month 3

to month 9. There is a drastic size increase – weight multiplies 600 times (28 grams to 3 kilograms) and the fetus grows about 50 cm in length.

The genitals grow in the third month so the sex can be determined at that time.

After that, hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, toenails, and fingernails grow.

Fetal Development cont. Lanugo (fine downy hair) covers arms and torso. Vernix caseosa (waxy substance) protects skin

from amniotic fluid The skin is wrinkly because the fetus is growing

so quickly. At month four, the fetus has increased

movement which is why the mother begins to feel it at this time.

At the end of month four, the heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope.

The Stages of Birth Latest findings: when the fetal brain is

mature enough, the hypothalamus causes the pituitary gland to stimulate the adrenal cortex which releases androgens into the bloodsteam that the placenta uses to make estrogens

These estrogens catalyze the production of prostaglandin and oxytocin

These hormones cause contractions in the uterus that will push the fetus out.

The Stages of Birth cont. Parturition (process of birth) – 3 stages1. The cervix dilates to allow the baby’s

head and body to pass. This stage is also typically when the amnion bursts.

2. The baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut.

3. The placenta is delivered.

Infertility The inability of a couple to achieve

pregnancy after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse

Some infertility can be solved by females taking fertility drugs that have hormones stimulating the ovaries to cause ovulation

Others will decide to adopt

Artificial Insemination by Donor (AID) Sperm is placed in the vagina by a doctor Helpful if the male has a low sperm count

because the sperm can be collected over time

Sperm can be sorted through a DNA-staining chemical into those thought to be X-bearing or Y-bearing to increase chances of having a child of that sex if the parent(s) desire

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) The sperm and the egg unite outside of the

body Ultrasounds pick out follicles in the ovaries that

hold immature ooctyes that are brought to maturity in glassware before the sperm is added

After two to four days, the embryos are placed in the uterus

This method is useful to overcome issues involving conception, including blocked oviducts

In Vitro Process1. Week 1. A drug is injected daily for three weeks

that stops the woman’s normal menstrual cycle.

2. Week 4. FSH is injected in large doses daily for 10 to 12 days. This stimulates the ovaries so they will develop lots of follicles.

3. Week 5. HCG is injected 36 hours before the egg collection. This loosens the egg in the follicles and matures it.

4. Week 5. The man provides semen and it is processed to pool the healthy sperm.

In Vitro Process cont.5. Week 5. The eggs are taken out of the follicles.6. Week 5. Each egg is mixed with sperm. They are placed in shallow dishes that sit in an incubator over night.7. Week 5/6. Check the dishes!!8. Week 5/6. Two or three embryos are picked and put into the uterus.9. Beginning of week 8. A pregnancy test is done to see if any implanted.10. End of week 9. If so, a scan is done to ensure that the pregnancy is normal. The fetal heartbeat should be present.

Ethical Issues – IB Standards Aim 8: There is great variation between

human societies around the world on the views held on IVF. This is the result of cultural and religious diversity. There is little evidence to suggest that children born as a result of standard IVF protocols are different in any way from children conceived naturally. It is important that there is parity of esteem for all children, however they are concieved.

Ethical Issues – IB Standards TOK: There are potential risks in the drug

treatments that the woman is given, and there are concerns about the artificial selection of sperm and the injection of them into the eggs that occurs with some IVF protocols. The natural selection of sperm with consequent elimination of unhealthy ones is bypassed and there is evidence that there are higher rates of abnormality in the offspring as a result.

Ethical Issues

Against IVF Inherited forms of infertility may be

passed on to children. Extra embryos are sometimes

killed. Embryologists pick which embryos

to transfer to the uterus so humans decide which ones live and die.

IVF is an unnatural process occurring in a lab, not an act of love with natural conception.

Infertility should be accepted as the will of God and it is wrong to use IVF to circumvent it.

For IVF Many forms of infertility are because

of the environment so children won’t get them.

The embryos cannot feel pain or suffer because they don’t have a nervous system.

Suffering because of genetic disease could decrease because embryos are screened.

Parents willing to go through IVF really want kids and will probably be good parents.

Infertility makes many people unhappy and IVF can overcome this.