Pregnancy begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg. It is difficult for humans to get pregnant compared to other animals. An embryo develops into a fetus over several months before birth. During pregnancy, the fetus receives oxygen and food through the placenta as it grows inside the mother's uterus, causing changes in her body like increased urination and sensitivity to smells. Pregnancy and childbirth involve stages like testing, ultrasound exams, childbirth preparations, labor, and delivery with or without medical assistance.

1. Pregnancy begins when the sperm enters the
egg.
Of all animals, humans have the most difficult time getting pregnant. Human
sperm is weak!

2. An embryo grows into a fetus, which becomes
a baby.

3. Pregnancy test
If a woman misses her period, she
may be pregnant.
You can buy one at a pharmacy.
It is a urine test.
If you test positive, you should go
to a hospital and talk with a doctor.

4. Miscarriage แท้ง
About 50% of pregnancies will end in miscarriage!
Often, the woman doesn’t know she is pregnant.
About 15-25% of known pregnancies end in
miscarriage.
After being pregnant for 3 months, the chance of
miscarriage drops a lot.
Because miscarriages are common, many women who
know they are pregnant wait until 13 weeks to tell their
friends and family.
A woman will usually bleed if she has a miscarriage.

5. A pregnant woman can see her fetus with an
ultrasound.
An ultrasound can tell you if the
fetus is healthy.
After about 5 months, it can tell
you if the baby will be a boy or girl.

6. A pregnant woman often has “morning
sickness” in the first half of her pregnancy.

7. A woman should take folic acid pills during
pregnancy to prevent birth defects.

8. Food cravings
Pregnant women sometimes
get a craving for a special food.
It can be any food really.
This woman is eating pickles.

9. The baby grows inside the mother’s uterus. The placenta gives it oxygen and
food.

10. She will have pain in her uterus, because it is
getting bigger. It will push on her bladder. She will
have to go pee more!

11. Her sense of smell may become stronger.

12. A pregnant woman should not eat raw meats
Tuna sushi has a lot of mercury, and
shouldn’t be eaten often.

13. A woman may have a natural childbirth, or a
c-section.
A c-section is common when there is a health problem,
but many women do it because they don’t want the pain
or body changes of natural childbirth.

14. A woman can gain as much as 17 kilograms
when she is pregnant!

15. Drugs, alcohol and smoking can hurt your
baby!

16. When the baby is ready to come out, the woman’s
water will break, and she will go into labor.
On average, labor lasts about 8 hours.

17. midwife
A midwife is a nurse that
helps women have their
babies.

18. Childbirth is painful
Many women get an
epidural shot to stop pain.

19. After the baby is born, the doctor cuts the
umbilical cord.

20. 255 babies are born every minute! That’s
353,000 born every day!

21. breastfeeding and baby formula
Breastfeeding is very important, and is good for the
mother’s health too.
It helps the baby’s immune system.
A baby should breast feed for the first six months of its
life.
Then, the mother can mix breastfeeding with other
foods.

22. Post partum depression-
Sadness and emotional problems after giving birth.
It is caused by hormone changes.

23. When should a woman have a baby?
• The best time for a woman to have a baby is between age 20 and 35.
After she is 35, having a baby becomes more dangerous for both the
mother and the baby.
• Children of older fathers also have more health problems.

24. How many babies should a family have?
• In the past, and in many developing countries, people had as many
babies as they could. Families often had 10 children!
• Now in countries in Europe and the USA, people have less children.
Usually only 2 or 3.
• Do you think you would want a big family or a small one?

25. Naming your baby
• What would you like to name your baby?
• Would you give it a common name, or a unique name?
Farang babies usually have a middle name. Mine is James.

26. Don’t give your baby dangerous toys.
A baby could choke on small toys.

27. How to pick up and hold a baby
Be careful!
A baby’s skull is
still very soft.

28. potty training
Toilet training usually starts when the child is
2-3 years old.
It can be difficult!

29. Toddlers: The terrible twos!
Toddlers often have
temper tantrums. อารมณ์
แปรปรวน How to deal:
Stay calm.
Don’t give in!
Try to distract them.
กวนใจ

30. When your child acts badly: Time out!
Children don’t like to be
bored.
Time out is a good
punishment.

31. babysitter
Don’t leave your children home
alone.
Hire a babysitter you can trust!

32. A pregnant woman should not lift heavy
things or go in a hot tub.
Not good!