Becoming a parent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt4BAICkDGI

Activate: Advice from Kids

With the people around you, come up with reasons why people want to have children.

Why Kids?

FAMILY/FRIEND PRESSURE TRAPPING A PARTNER BRING A COUPLE CLOSER TOGETHER FOR SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU—A

SOURCE OF LOVE FOR COMPANIONSHIP DURING OLD AGE YOUR RELIGION ENCOURAGES IT YOU LOVE CHILDREN Which of these are acceptable reasons

to you?

Why people become parents

Irreversibility-once a parent, always a parent

Lack of preparation- you can only plan so much

Idealization and romanticization Suddenness Role conflict- there might be changes and

role reversals

Important things to know about parenthood….

Couples relationship May deepen and strengthen the

relationship Need to resolve dependency issues and

money issues Priorities & values change Roles change

Pregnancy changes…

Conception- the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both

A sperm must penetrate an egg for conception occurs.

It is called a zygote until it reaches the uterus in 3-4 days.

Then a woman is officially pregnant!

How does it happen?

Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks

Women gains about 30 lbs.

The pregnancy is broken up into 3 trimesters

Fetus- the term used for the growing baby inside the mother

Quick facts about pregnancy

Pica- when pregnant women crave inedible (non-food) items

i.e.) Soap/dirt/rocks/paper

Taking care of your body during the pregnancy is just as important as taking care of the baby when it is born

Avoid alcohol, drugs, smoking, and caffeine –think about it, if it’s not good for you, it’s not good for your baby

Having a good diet is important from day one of pregnancy

Missed period Breasts swell Morning sickness(nausea/vomiting) Stomach becomes larger Mood swings Increase of appetite Fatigued (tired)

Signs of 1st Trimester(months 1-3)

Morning sickness ususally goes away More energy Fetal heart beat is heard Abnormal Dreams Kicking can be felt from the outside Swelling legs and feet Stretch marks

Signs of 2nd Trimester (months 4-6)

Shortness of breath(7 months) Fetal kicks are very strong Braxton Hicks (false Labor) Baby drops into birthing position and it

becomes easier to breathe (9 months)

Signs of 3rd Trimester (months 7-9)