Download Preconception, Conception and Foetal

Preconception, Conception and Foetal
Development – Teacher Guide
Please read before teaching Lesson One. Thank you.
Why should I teach my students about preconception, conception, and foetal
development?
The parenting journey begins long before a baby is conceived. For this reason, it is
essential to teach teens about preconception health prior to them becoming parents.
Research has shown that knowledge and skills learned in parenting courses “yield
benefits long before parenthood” 1 .
Since 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned 2 , it is vital for young people to know the
importance of making healthy lifestyle choices throughout their teen and adult years. In
order to make healthy reproductive choices, students need a basic understanding of
reproductive anatomy, the menstrual cycle, conception, and foetal development. By
giving your students clear general health messages and key information, you can help
empower them to become the best parents possible.
What information could help me to teach about preconception, conception, and
foetal development?
While there is a lot of helpful information available on these topics, the following
paragraphs summarise the issues considered most important for teens.
Preconception:
Knowledge of human anatomy is imperative to understand the process of reproduction.
Please use the Anatomy Review-Teacher Guide (page # 75) and anatomy overheads to
explain the parts and functions of the reproductive system, as well as the processes of
the menstrual cycle and conception.
Since the spine and brain of a foetus develop immediately following conception,
damage can often occur before the mother realises she is pregnant. This means that
sexually active teens and women should take folic acid (either on its own or as part of a
multi-vitamin supplement) to help prevent neural tube defects, in case of pregnancy. It
is also important for these women to eat well and to avoid smoking, alcohol and
unnecessary drug use because exposure to these harmful substances can negatively
affect the baby’s brain development 3 . Additionally, contracting certain infections (such
as rubella) and poor nutrition are also detrimental to the growing foetus 4 .
Destination Parenthood: Arrive Prepared - A Resource For Educators: Grade 11 Parenting
Peel Public Health: Family Health Division 905-799-7700 www.peelregion.ca
6
Preconception, Conception and Foetal
Development – Teacher Guide
Teens who are physically active, eat healthy foods, take folic acid and receive regular
health care before pregnancy are much more likely to continue these behaviours once
pregnant and therefore increase their chances of having a healthy baby. For more
information on physical activity and nutrition, before and during pregnancy, please see
the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines 5 and Eating Well With Canada’s Food
Guide 6 .
Conception:
Women are most fertile during the few days before ovulation (release of the egg), the
day of ovulation and the day after ovulation. Approximately twenty-four hours after
ovulation, the egg quickly breaks down.
The length and regularity of the menstrual cycle varies greatly between women,
however, the average duration of a complete menstrual cycle is twenty-eight days.
Medical professionals consider the day that bleeding begins as Day 1 of the menstrual
cycle. Around Day 7, the eggs in the ovaries ripen due to hormonal changes. Between
Day 8 and Day 11, the lining thickens in the uterus. Sometime after Day 11, hormonal
changes lead the ripest egg to be released into the Fallopian tube where it travels to the
uterus. Most women notice an increase in cervical mucous (that resembles egg-white)
around the time of ovulation. Being aware of these changes in the cervical mucous can
help women determine when they are most likely to conceive. For women with a
regular 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs around Day 14. For women with a 35-day cycle,
ovulation typically occurs around Day 17.
Sperm can live in the vagina anywhere from five to eight days. This means that even if
a woman has unprotected sexual intercourse before ovulation, the sperm may linger
long enough to fertilize the egg once ovulation occurs – sometimes days later. Given
the unpredictable nature of a young woman’s menstrual cycle, and the fact that sperm
can live up to eight days inside her body, it is best to assume that having unprotected
intercourse may, at any time, lead to pregnancy.
Foetal Development:
The first day of the last menstrual cycle is considered Week 0 of the pregnancy and the
day fertilization occurs is considered Week 2. The period between Week 2 and Week 8
is considered the most critical time with respect to foetal development, as many organs
will almost fully develop during this period. Exposures to prescription or nonprescription medications, illegal drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, X-rays and toxic substances
are dangerous as they can harm the growing foetus during a woman’s pregnancy.
Destination Parenthood: Arrive Prepared - A Resource For Educators: Grade 11 Parenting
Peel Public Health: Family Health Division 905-799-7700 www.peelregion.ca
7
Preconception, Conception and Foetal
Development – Teacher Guide
Please refer to the Foetal Development: The Critical Weeks of Early Pregnancy sheet
(page # 110) for more information.
1st Trimester: This is a critical time for the foetus as it is extremely susceptible to harm
from things like smoking, alcohol, drugs, infection, insufficient folic acid and x-rays.
Rapid growth and development occurs. The foetus develops eyes, ears, nose and the
nervous system. The heart begins to function, the spine, nails and digestive tract are
forming, and the sex is determined 7 .
2nd Trimester: Extensive brain development occurs during this time. The facial
features, eyebrows and lashes appear, the heartbeat is audible, teeth develop, and the
mother can feel the baby’s movements. Exposure to alcohol, drugs and smoking
continues to pose a risk to the baby.
3rd Trimester: The baby continues to grow, develops fat stores, and reacts to light and
sound. By now, the sex organs are fully developed. All body systems are maturing and
preparing for birth, which most often occurs around 40 weeks. (A baby born before 37
weeks is considered premature and may require specialized medical care.) During the
3rd Trimester, the brain continues to develop and will do so even after the baby is born.
A healthy lifestyle is vital during all stages of pregnancy. The developing baby is
dependant on his/her mother for nourishment, protection from harm and medical care.
What are the most important messages students should take away from this
lesson?
•
Students require a clear understanding of reproductive anatomy, the menstrual
cycle, conception, and foetal development.
•
Reproductive health begins long before a baby is conceived.
•
A healthy baby is dependant on the health of both the mother and the father prior
to pregnancy.
•
Half of all pregnancies are unplanned.
•
It is recommended that all teens and women of child-bearing years take folic acid
daily (either on its own or as part of a multi-vitamin supplement).
Destination Parenthood: Arrive Prepared - A Resource For Educators: Grade 11 Parenting
Peel Public Health: Family Health Division 905-799-7700 www.peelregion.ca
8
Preconception, Conception and Foetal
Development – Teacher Guide
•
Good nutrition and physical activity are important before, during and after
pregnancy.
•
In pregnancy, there is no safe time, level or amount of alcohol 8 .
•
Women who lead healthy lives, by avoiding alcohol, unnecessary drug use,
smoking and environmental hazards, can increase the chances that their babies
will obtain optimal health.
References
1
Prepare Tomorrow’s Parents. (1999). Parenting Education In Schools – It’s Not Just
For Pregnant and Parenting Teens! www.parentingproject.org/fnoappp.htm.
2
Peel Public Health. (2007). What Are The Odds?
www.theodds.ca.
3
For more information and to check your own preconception health, please visit
www.theodds.ca.
4
It is worth noting that men also play a role in preconception health. Studies indicate
that an unhealthy lifestyle and exposure to medications and dangerous chemicals
affect the quality of a man’s sperm. Please see the following websites for more
information.
Best Start. (2007). Medication: Over-the-counter and Prescribed.
www.healthbeforepregnancy.ca/medications.htm or
WomensHealthGov. (2006). Trying to Conceive.
www.4women.gov/pregnancy/tryingtogetpregnant/tryingtoconceive.cfm or
Men's Health - A Website Dedicated to Providing Quality Information on Men's
Reproductive Health (Andrology) - Vancouver British Columbia Canada. (2005).
www.mens.health-info.org/article-silent-sperm.html.
5
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2003). Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy
Active Living. www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/paguide/.
Destination Parenthood: Arrive Prepared - A Resource For Educators: Grade 11 Parenting
Peel Public Health: Family Health Division 905-799-7700 www.peelregion.ca
9
Preconception, Conception and Foetal
Development – Teacher Guide
6
Health Canada. (2007). Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Ottawa: Author.
7
Best Start. (2007). Health Before Pregnancy. www.beststart.org.
8
Best Start (2007). Be Safe: Have an Alcohol-Free Pregnancy.
www.alcoholfreepregnancy.ca.
Destination Parenthood: Arrive Prepared - A Resource For Educators: Grade 11 Parenting
Peel Public Health: Family Health Division 905-799-7700 www.peelregion.ca
10