Prenatal Diagnosis and Screening
Added on 2020-02-18
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Running Head: MIDWIFERYMidwiferyName:Institution and Affiliations:Instructor:Date:
MIDWIFERYActivity1. 2 Factors to Consider Increasing Chances of Conceiving a Healthy PregnancyOvulation is a very important process in the menstrual cycle for pregnancy to occur in afemale. This is the process whereby an ovum is released from the ovary to the fallopian tubewhere it is fertilized by a male sperm during an intercourse (Verma et al, 2017). Ovulationoccurs 14 days before the commencement of the next cycle regardless of the length of themenstrual cycle. Therefore, for women who have a 28 day cycle like Jane, their most fertile timeis at the mid-cycle period (Lum et al, 2017). Having an intercourse during this time or three daysbefore or after ovulation gives an ideal environment for conception to occur. The lifespan of an unfertilized ovum is 12-24 hours. Within this time, the sperm shouldfertilize it (Soon et al, 2014). Failure to fertilize the ovum within the stated time, it will die andbe absorbed in the fallopian tube by the cells lining it. The life span of a sperm in the femalereproductive tract is 72 hours; the best time for sexual intercourse in order to conceive is betweenthe 11th and the 14th day of a regular 28-day cycle (Verma et al, 2017). Age is also a major factorin pregnancy. A woman is very fertile between 13- 35 years of age and her fertility reduces withtime up to 45 years. It is therefore, advisable to try and get pregnant before the specified yearselapse for them.Keeping a temperature chart or the use of an ovulation kit as Jane and John do is advisedfor a couple who find it difficult to conceive. After ovulation, the body temperature always risesslightly, usually around 0.2ᵒC (Soon et al, 2014). Therefore, monitoring of the body temperatureis key in determining the occurrence of ovulation. An ovulation kit can also be used to measurethe level of hormones of the menstrual cycle in the urine and thus can help predict ovulation(Friedman, 2017). A couple that is undergoing fertility investigation should avoid smoking in
MIDWIFERYorder to conceive a healthy baby. Nicotine is a major factor in infertility and thus it is advisableto give up the intake of any substance with nicotine when planning to get pregnant. The frequency of sexual intercourse is also a determinant of the ease to conceive. Ifsexual intercourse takes place 3 to 4 times a week, there will always be presence of live spermsin the fallopian tube (Lum et al, 2017). This increases the chances of fertilization when ovulationoccurs. On the other hand, having sexual intercourse once a week lowers the chances offertilization since ovulation may be missed. Further, emotional factors also take the toll onfertility especially for the female. These factors include stress, overwork, strain, pressure inwork. The production of adrenalin during stress inhibits the utilization of the progesteronehormone, which is significant in fertility (Verma et al, 2017). The presence of adrenalin alsocauses the release of high levels of prolactin by the pituitary gland which is also a cause ofinfertility. It is therefore, advisable for John and Jane like any other couple to avoid stressfulsituations in their attempt to have a baby. Blood tests for assessment of maternal wellbeing Low Hemoglobin in Pregnancy An expecting mother usually faces challenges that they have to overcome duringpregnancy. Some of these challenges are health issues among which there is the issue of the levelof hemoglobin of the blood. Hemoglobin is the protein found in the red blood cells (RBCs) thatcarries oxygen from the lungs to other tissues of the body and also carbon dioxide from otherbody tissues to the lungs (Jwa et al, 2015). The normal level of hemoglobin for women isbetween 12 to 16 g/dl. Causes
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