Context and Relevance

Understanding fertilization, pregnancy, and birth is essential for students of health and life sciences, as it forms the foundation of obstetrics, midwifery, neonatology, and reproductive medicine.

The physiological processes covered in this module underpin practical knowledge related to fertility management, prenatal care, and maternal health assessment. Knowledge of these mechanisms also aids in recognizing and managing pregnancy-related complications such as ectopic pregnancy, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm labor.

This topic fosters appreciation for the complexity of human development and the remarkable hormonal coordination that sustains life before and after birth.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the process of fertilization, including gamete transport, capacitation, and mechanisms preventing polyspermy.

  2. Explain the stages of embryonic implantation and the establishment of the placenta.

  3. Discuss the endocrine functions of the placenta and their roles in maintaining pregnancy.

  4. Identify key maternal physiological adaptations during pregnancy in the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and metabolic systems.

  5. Explain the hormonal regulation of parturition, including the roles of oxytocin, prostaglandins, and estrogen.

  6. Describe the sequence of events in labor and delivery, including uterine contractions and cervical changes.

  7. Outline the hormonal control of lactation and postpartum physiological adjustments.

  8. Recognize common complications of pregnancy and relate them to underlying physiological mechanisms.