Pregnancy and Birth: Stages in the Life Cycle

OF CONCRETE EXPERIENCE

Sub 1 : Pregnancy as a stage of human development

Pregnancy and child birth are by far the two processes that seem so miraculous if some deep thought is given . Even though it is one of those processes that are inherently very natural and normal , yet the perfect orchestration of everything that leads to the birth of a healthy baby is nothing short of awe inspiring . That is perhaps the reason why pregnancy as well as child birth are glorified and expectant mothers are treated with respect and concern

all over the civilized world

Although since childhood , I had heard of babies being born to relatives , family friends an others , my first close contact with this amazing process came when I heard that a very close cousin was expecting . The news was received with utmost enthusiasm by everyone in the family , but I was nothing short of elated . When I met her after learning of the happy news I observed numerous changes in her person . During our meeting which lasted about half an hour , I could not help but notice the glow of happiness on her face and an unmistakable twinkle in her eye . I made up my mind that I would learn all there is to know about this wonderful subject that is so alluring

Sub 2 : growth and development of the fetus

During the next seven months or so , I observed my cousin keenly and tried to keep track of the changes in her , both physical and psychological . Even though it is really very difficult to judge how much the fetus has grown by just looking at the expectant mother , but I could certainly observe the obvious changes . However , her other pregnancy related conditions like `morning sickness ' and unusual cravings for ice creams and pickles were evident as her pregnancy progressed . I could gauge the growth of the fetus more easily during the second and third trimester of her pregnancy as I was then that the noticeable changes begin to appear . By the sixth and seventh month , she could feel her baby kick and move

Sub 3 : Effects of pregnancy on family members

The announcement of the pregnancy was obviously a cause for celebration . All the family members were ecstatic and there was a sudden deluge of advices from the elder and more experienced members of the family . Throughout the three trimesters of her pregnancy , we noticed her husband pay her more than the usual attention , expressing concern at everything right from what she wore to what she ate . Whenever they came calling to our place , special care and attention was paid to her comfort . I concluded that pregnancy makes family members supportive and caring

Sub 4 : Health risks of mother and baby

My cousin was especially careful to avoid several substances during pregnancy . Alcohol , tobacco , caffeine and several drugs were strictly taboo . I observed her taking special care while taking canned food , double checking and triple checking the contents at the back so that she may not trigger any of her allergies . The couple visited the doctor frequently , for regular check- ups as well as for any information that the doctor may have for them

Sub 5 : societal and ethical issues All around us in the society , we come across instances of teenage pregnancy , adoptions , abortions and fertility treatments We come to realize that even though , pregnancy and childbirth are beautiful phenomenon , there are many dark areas in this domain as well . Unwanted pregnancies , teenage pregnancies miscarriages and abortions are by far the greatest traumas for women and related family members . Though personally , I have not come across any such gory instance but only reading about them in newss causes an involuntary shudder and I really wanted to learn more about how such things can be prevented from happening

Sub 6 : implications of genetic selection and counseling The last three decades have seen rapid enhancements and developments in the field of genetic engineering and it is only a matter of time when pre- birth enhancement of fetuses will become commonplace . There are many ethical issues related to this and an engrossing debate on this subject is already on . Some people believe that such enhancements are for the best of the baby to be born while many people shun the efforts and call them an intrusion into God 's domain . It promises to be a very current issue and its outcome will be decisive for babies being born all over the world

REFLECTIONS

Sub 1 : pregnancy as a stage of human development Pregnancy is a developmental stage everyone involved . The baby obviously is passing through the first stage of its development . It is progressing and getting bigger every trimester and its organs are coming into shape . It has just begun its journey which will culminate , probably into a great life . For the baby , therefore , pregnancy is a very important stage

For the mother , who is carrying the child also it is very important stage . It is the stage of coming to terms with her most important role in the world . The responsibility of being a mother has just begun for her and she has to get used to caring for another tiny life inside her . It is realization of becoming an individual with so many responsibilities . It is the beginning of a long journey , one which she will enjoy and find herself overwhelmed with responsibilities as well

For others in the family , especially the father , it is again a feeling of immense responsibilities . Another individual is about to enter the world , one who will be entirely dependent on him . The baby will come as a reminder that he ought to behave and live as a balanced adult . The baby will look up to the father and it is up to the father to model himself into the figure of a hero for his child

It is therefore obvious that pregnancy is a stage of development for everyone concerned

Sub 2 : growth and development of the fetus Seeing my cousin throughout her pregnancy , I gathered that the fetus was growing at faster rate during the second and third trimester . Its physical development was observable in layman terms . It was a process so interesting that I made up my mind to find out about the biological jargon and technicalities related to it . Also I wished to find out how exactly everything happens

Sub 3 : effect of pregnancy on family members

As said earlier , for the mother and the father , it is a time of coming face to face with a large bundle of responsibility . Even though , this responsibility is something they wish to undertake , but the actual weight on their shoulders can be too much to handle if the parents are not mentally prepared for what is going to happen . It is therefore imperative , that young couples must not venture into this domain unless they are very thoroughly mentally prepared to undertake this role . Otherwise , it will only overwhelm them and not be the happy time it is supposed to be

Sub 4 : health risks of mother and baby

Apparently , it would seem that pregnancy is a very normal process that happens commonly and there are not too many risks involved . After all mothers give birth to babies all over the world . But this thinking is not exactly accurate because when we observe a close pregnancy , we find that there are a million things that could go wrong if there is negligence or complacency on the part of the mother or the doctor or for that matter anyone . The importance of not taking alcohol and other substances can hardly be exaggerated . Also , there are many things in the household that may look harmless but may cause harm to the mother and the baby

Sub 5 : societal and ethical issues

Teenage pregnancy , unwanted pregnancy and abortions are the stuff nightmares are made of . As a civilized society , we need to do all we can to prevent all this from happening . Teenage pregnancies usually result due to lack of education about birth control and contraceptives . In the worst possible scenario they may be the result of an unfortunate incident of sexual abuse . In many cases , it becomes unavoidable to get an abortion . Although some may consider it a crime against God there is no denying the fact that abortions may need to be done to give the mother a life . All such cases , need to be examined in perspective and there is no point in raising issues of ethical concerns when it is more important to decide upon the saving of a life

Fertility treatments have given a fresh ray of hope to couples who were childless . These treatments have come a long way and technological advancements in medical sciences have ensured that almost every sort of infertility problem in either the mother or the father can be cured . It makes my heart swell with pride to see how far we have come in this arena

Sub 6 : genetic selection an counseling

There is more to this debate than meets the eye . Genetic selection , in term of a layman , involves endowing he fetus genetically with some qualities and enhancements . It will obviously be immensely helpful and useful when used for pre- birth treatments against diseases and diss that a fetus may have and making it strong enough to survive and be healthy . This would be a boon to countless people whose baby will otherwise be born with deficiencies which will make its painful

But there is a side to it that makes eyebrows raise . There may come a time when parents may wish to have their baby endowed with certain abilities and capabilities before it is born . These will most certainly be those qualities they themselves desire but don 't have . The dark side of genetic selection is now apparent . Unborn babies will become wish fulfillment devices for their parents who wish to `live though their children . For instance , a father who failed to qualify for his basketball team , may wish to get his baby endowed with basketball playing requisites . This is one drawback of genetic selection

Another drawback is that genetic selection , especially in its early years , will be expensive enough so that it will be limited to the economically strong classes . It will therefore make the richer echelons healthier and he poorer will be left without such endowments . The rift will widen and the bridge will be more difficult to build

Genetic selection is therefore , a risky area to say the least . The repercussions need to be looked upon and a system must be devised in which it will be available to all and will be used only to protect the fetus against diseases and diss that are life threatening

GENERLIZATION / THEORIES / PRINCIPLES

Sub 1 : pregnancy as a stage of human development

Biologically , a pregnancy results when the male sperm fertilizes the female ova . However , this is a rather dispassionate analysis and there is a lot more than this . We have discussed earlier how pregnancy signifies coming of age for the parents . The reckless risks , the life threatening adventures and shunting has to end and it is time to settle down . So parents come to get acquainted with a new life style that may be enjoyable provided they are mentally prepared to make tiny adjustments

Sub 2 : growth and development of fetus

After fertilization of the sperm and the ova , a two celled embryo is formed which continues to multiply into many cells during the first month . This mass of cells begins to take human shape by the second month ends . The eyes , ears and eyelashes begin to appear . The brain of the baby begins to experience pain and pleasure and it can now move its hands feet and its tiny fingers . By the third month , the placenta is formed which attaches it to the mother so that it can derive its nutrition from what the mother eats and drinks . It is a sort of life line for the small baby inside the womb The minute heat of the fetus begins to beat by the fourth month . It is also the stage when the mother begins to experience inexplicable craving for ice creams and pickles and such substances . The sense organs of the baby become pronounced and developed during the fifth month . The sixth and seventh months see development of the vital organs and the baby grows in size and shape very fast . It is the time when the baby is almost fully developed as far as its internal organs are concerned . Therefore , there are good chances of survival even if the baby is prematurely born during this time . Its heart and lungs may be somewhat underdeveloped but they can grow under the proper care . The eighth month sees an increase in the size and dimensions of the baby . By the ninth month , the baby weighs about 3 to 3 .5 kgs and is ready to be born after the labor starts

Sub 3 : effect of pregnancy on family members

A baby demands more than time and care . It demands non stop attention , never ending patience and a non-tiring mother and father . It is the time which is very instrumental in the relationships . The father may feel resentful towards the baby for taking up so much of its mother 's time and attention . The mother may feel frustrated after hours of work and sleepless nights . It is a time which may make or break relationships and be a cause for tempers flying thick and high . Parents therefore need to be more understanding and need to behave like adults that they are . Once again , therefore we come across the importance of being mentally prepared for the pregnancy and birth

Sub 4 : health risks of mother and baby

The biggest health risks for the mother and the baby are from substance abuse by mother . Alcohol , active and passive smoking , caffeine and narcotic drugs are poison for the baby for an unborn baby , alcohol can interfere with the availability of oxygen and normal cell development in brain and other organs . The mental and physical defects that may happen in the baby when the mother drinks `too much ' alcohol are called the FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome . Such children may have serious handicaps , small size and less weight , minor mental retardation and may require attention throughout the life . Therefore , it is very important that the mother stops drinking and taking in other substances even before she conceives

Common household things like nail polish , fish and several other solvents and chemicals , grouped as neurotoxins , may also be harmful for pregnant as well as breastfeeding mothers . It is therefore important to talk to the doctor in detail about such potential health risks

Sub 5 : societal and ethical issues

We have already discussed how teenage pregnancies and abortions are unfortunate . The only way of curbing such incidences is that we spread information and knowledge , especially among the youth about avoiding such unfortunate circumstances . When childbirth becomes inevitable for a teenage expecting mother , it should be done only in the care of an expert doctor to avoid a life threatening situation . In cases where childbirth can be avoided , it would probably be more advisable to prevent it . Youth must also be taught to defend itself when situations of sexual abuse or molestation arise to prevent teenage pregnancies

Fertility treatments have come along way , as we said earlier They may be broadly categorized into three categories

Ovulation Induction : This is efficient when the woman has irregular and inconsistent ovulation . Generally , taking a small pill is all that is required in this treatment . It is obviously the simplest

Artificial Insemination : It is a method of inducing fertilization of sperm and ova artificially . A purified sample of the male sperm is injected in the female reproductive tract and the fertilization is brought out . It is more complex than the earlier method

Assisted Reproductive Technology : The basic principle behind this is taking the female egg out of the body to assist fertilization . This is the most complicated method of fertility treatment and can be categorized into IVF , GIFT , ZIFT and others depending upon the couple in question and the complication of their problem

Sub 6 : Genetic selection and counseling

It may be possible in a few years time , for parents to select the qualities they would like their child to have . This may include the height , built , hair color as well as abstract qualities like intelligence and sense of humor . The ethical concerns regarding this have already been discussed earlier . The technology is promising but we need to exercise restraint in making its use widespread before we have dealt with its dark side

TESTING AND APPLICATION

Sub 1 : Pregnancy as a stage of human development

It can be said that all the knowledge that I gained through this study of this wonderful process , is of obvious practical importance . From now on , when I see a regnant woman , I will understand that it is not all fun and games but a huge responsibility as well . I will thus be prepared to handle my own experience in a mature manner . I will also be more respectful towards mothers for now I know how difficult it is .Sub 2 : growth and development of the fetus

The fetal growth is a very interesting phenomenon . The fetus grows slowly at first and rapidly later . It is important to keep track of the fetal growth and if it is apparent that the fetal growth is not proceeding as it should , a visit to the doctor is advisable as soon as possible

Sub 3 : effect of pregnancy on family members

The family members must be prepared for all the changes that are going to happen . I would therefore , expect the changes and be prepared for them . The mother may pay more attention to her baby than anyone else . I would not hold it against any of my friends or cousins who have new born children and have less time for me than before . New born babies need all the care as I now know

Sub 4 : health risks for mother and baby

I now know that alcohol and psychotropic drugs are more harmful for mother and baby than anything else . Besides advising all expecting relatives to forgo substance abuse , I would also choose their gifts with this fact in mind . I would also like to engage in certain social education programs that aid the spreading of education about such issues

Sub 5 : societal and ethical issues

I would like to join certain programs and start some which assist teenage mothers facing the music . I would also like to spread education about how to clear out of such situations that may cause traumatic experiences . It is imperative that the society wakes up to the need of the hour and begins to take such issues in the right perspective

There is also a certain amount of taboo involved with the fertility treatments . It is important that we educate the masses about the kind of treatments that are available and also that in modern time , it is not so complex and complicated to get fertility treatments . They are a lot easier to get and get through

Sub 6 : Genetic selection and counseling

In cases where the child may have the enhanced possibility of survival through genetic selection , I would certainly support the technology . But as far as enhanced abilities are concerned there is a lot more debate left before we reach the mass use of this technology ...