Advanced Math & Science Academy HEALTH CURRICULUM Topic #8. Pregnancy, Childbirth, etc.
DO NOW:
Think of some things that pregnant women should be careful
to know and to do.
PREGNANCY
Pregnancy takes over and changes your entire life and outlook
physiologically
emotionally
Hormonal changes-- may include nausea (morning sickness),
food aversions or cravings
Importance of good nutrition:
Folic acid even before you know that you are pregnant
Protein
Iron
Calcium
Weight gain
IMPORTANT TO AVOID: tobacco, alcohol, certain acne medications
Check all medicines with a doctor!
Pregnancy tests
Prenatal testing: amniocentesis; ultrasound
Pregnancy usually becomes noticeable to others around 5 months
Final month may be uncomfortable due to pressure on bladder, etc.
CHILDBIRTH
Stages of childbirth:
Dilation
Delivery of the baby
Delivery of the placenta
Treatment of newborns:
silver nitrate
evaluation: APGAR score
Genetic tests
PKU testing required in Massachusetts
Sickle-cell anemia
Tay-Sachs & Gaucher's
Thalassemia, G6PD deficiency
Prematurity and low birth weight
Paternity and child support
Married parenthood
Single parenthood
Adoption
INFANT CARE
Head must be supported!
Breast-feeding has many advantages
Never leave a baby alone, not even briefly!
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); "back to sleep"
Low birth weight and prematurity
Sleeping and waking
Talk to your baby!
Listen to your baby!
Watch your baby!
Moving around: hands, rolling over, crawling, climbing, walking
Imitating, vocalizing, first words
CHILD CARE & BABYSITTING
Try it out first with parents home
List of emergency contacts:
911 for police, fire
Doctor
Baby's parents
Your parents
Review instructions -- in writing is best
DON'T distract yourself talking to friends!
Hold, rock, talk, sing, play, ENJOY!
Let child play (but supervise)
Feeding
Putting to bed
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT / DISCUSS WITH YOUR PARENTS
Should I offer to babysit?
Sexual abstinence; peer pressures and refusal skills
If you are sexually active, you must discuss pregnancy avoidance
with parents and/or school nurse
