Psych 212a Assistant Reproductive Technology (ART) – refers

Chapter 4 – The Period of Pregnancy and to the medicinal procedures.

Prenatal Development
Reproductive technologies:
1. Artificial insemination – sperm that have
Genetics and Development been donated and frozen are injected into a
woman at the time of her ovulation.
Chromosome – the long thin strand located in the
2. Fertility drugs – ovulation induction is the
nucleus, are formed from chains of DNA. 23 pairs
artificial stimulation of the ovaries to
of chromosomes.
produce eggs.
George Mendel – a monk who studied the inherited 3. Vitro fertilization (fertilization in an artificial
characteristics of plants. environment) – eggs are removed from the
ovary and placed in a petri dish inside an
Allele – alternative state of each pair of
incubator.
chromosomes.
4. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection – sperm is
Homozygous – same alleles. injected directly into the egg.
5. Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) –
Heterozygous – different alleles. eggs and sperm are transferred into a
Genotype – genetic information about a trait. woman’s fallopian tubes.
6. Vivo fertilization (fertilization in a living
Phenotype – observed characteristics. Genotype body) – when partners involve another
development in the environment. woman in the conception.
7. Surrogate mother
Epigenetics – activities at the biochemical level that
a. Traditional surrogacy – sperm from
alter gene expression but do not alter the genome
an infertile woman’s husband are
itself.
injected into the surrogate mother
1. Imprinting – a condition in which genes from during the time of her monthly
the mother or the father are silenced. ovulation.
2. Epigenetic marks – are chemicals that sit on b. Gestational surrogacy – the couple
top of the genes and instruct them to switch produces the embryo through IVF
on and off. and the resulting embryo is
implanted in the surrogate.
Sex linked characteristics – gene for the specific
characteristic is found in the sex chromosomes (X Adoption – An alternative to biological reproduction
and Y). for those who believe that there are already enough
children who need families and for those who have
tried alternative reproductive technologies to no
Normal Fetal Development avail.

Fertilization – the process of fusion to sperm with First Trimester – week 1 to 12.
an ovum. 1. Germinal period – begins at conception,
Zygote – the cell produced when the sperm has when the sperm and egg cell unite in one of
fertilized the egg. the two fallopian tubes, which the fertilized
egg is called a zygote.
Monozygotic twins – identical twins formed by one 2. Embryonic period – begins after
sperm and one egg. implantation, at this point, the mass of cells
is now known as an embryo.
Dizygotic twins – fraternal twins formed by two
3. Fetal period – begins during the ninth week,
different sperm and two different eggs.
which becomes known as a fetus.
Infertility – inability to conceive/not being able to get
pregnant.
Second Trimester – week 13 to 26. The fetus has water.
now developed all its organs and systems and will
now begin to grow in length and weight.
Infant mortality – number of infants who die during
Third Trimester – week 27 to 40. The fetus begins the first year of life per 1,000 live births during that
to position itself head down, continuously grow in year.
size and weight.
The mother, the fetus, and the psychosocial
environment:
The Birth Process  Impact of the fetus on the pregnant woman.
a) Hormonal changes.
Birth – involuntary contractions of the uterine
b) Uterus physical change.
muscles commonly referred to as labor. 14 hours
c) Body image.
for women undergoing their first labor, 8 hours for
d) Distressing symptoms.
later labor.
 Changes in social roles and social status.
Effacement or thinning – shortening of the cervical a) Treated in new ways.
canal. b) Fathers become more concerned.
c) Others as accomplishment and a
Dilation – is the gradual enlargement of the cervix. sign of maturity.
Stages of labor: d) Fewer responsibilities.
e) Some as annoyance.
 1st stage – onset of uterine contractions  Woman’s emotional state.
and ends with the full dilation of the cervix. a) Pride
The longest stage. b) Excitement
 2nd stage – expulsion of the fetus. It begins c) Acceptance
at full dilation and ends with the delivery of d) Rejection
the baby. e) Anxiety and depression
 3rd stage – begins with delivery and ends f) Worry about delivery
with the expulsion of the placenta. Usually  Fathers’ involvement during pregnancy.
lasts 5 to 10 minutes. a) Embrace fatherhood.
b) New level of self-respect.
Psychological adaptation to birth process:
c) Worry about economic ramifications.
1. Early signs of labor. d) Detachment.
2. Strong, regular uterine contractions.  Doula or birth companion.
3. The transition phase, contractions are a) Primary servant for the woman of
strong, women experience the greatest the household.
difficulty or discomfort.  Father’s involvement in labor and delivery.
4. The birth process.  Impact of pregnant woman on the fetus.
5. The postpartum period, involves the initial a) Poverty
interactions with the newborn. b) Mother’s age (35 years)
c) Maternal drug use (nicotine)
Types of childbirth: d) Caffeine
1. Normal birth – one which starts naturally e) Narcotics (heroin, cocaine)
and does not involve any medical or f) Prescription drugs
technological intervention. g) Environmental toxins
2. Cesarean delivery (cesarean section) – h) Mother’s diet
remove the baby surgically through an i) Stress
incision in the uterine wall.
3. Water birth – a form of childbirth in which
the mother is supported in a birthing pool so
that the child is delivered into the warm
 relationships, beliefs, laws, regulations,
resources, and community norms.

The Cultural Context of Pregnancy and

Childbirth Miscarriage
Birth culture – the beliefs, values, and guidelines for  Spontaneous abortion.
behavior regarding pregnancy and childbirth.  When a pregnancy is almost 20 weeks and
a baby die in the womb. Some women lose
Many cultures share the assumption that the
the baby before they even realize they are
behavior of expectant parents will influence the
pregnant.
developing fetus and the ease or difficulty of
childbirth. Mifepristone
Attitudes toward pregnant women can be  Drug RU-486
characterized along two dimensions:  A nonsurgical approach to abortion,
sometimes referred to as a medical
1. Solicitude vs Shame
abortion.
 Solicitude toward the pregnant
woman is shown in the care,
interest, and help of others.
 Shame keep pregnancy a secret as
long as possible. This custom may
stem from a fear that damage will
come to the fetus.
2. Adequacy vs Vulnerability
Couvade – sympathetic pregnancy in men.
Taegyo (fetal education) – term for a collection of
beliefs and practices related to prenatal
development. Taegyo is said to be a set of rules
that a mother should follow in order to have a
positive pregnancy experience for her unborn child.
Reactions to childbirth:
1. Extreme negative pole – birth is seen as
dirty and defiling.
2. The midpoint of this spectrum – mother
delivers her baby in the presence of many
members of the community, without much
expression of pain and with little magic or
obstetrical mechanics.
3. Positive end of the scale – birth is seen as a
proud achievement.
Abortion – termination of a pregnancy before the
fetus is able to live outside the uterus.
A psychological process, involving decision
making; fears; hopes and other emotional
responses; life plans; and goals. Abortion is
also a social, cultural, and societal process,
embedded in a complex context of