Human Production and Child Abnormalities - Essay Example

Human Production The birth abnormalities include heart defects as well as neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida that is associated with malformed body parts. Structural abnormalities may result in death of a child. Down syndrome results to eating problems and sickle-cell disease that is associated with blockage of blood flow and damage to organs of a child. Tay-Sachs disease, on the other hand, makes a child loose motor skills like turning over and crawling. Tay-Sachs disease result from the inability of infant’s cells to produce enzymes required to change specific chemicals into others or transport substances from one point to another within the body. Detection of the child abnormalities such as the heart defect is often enhanced by the use of the prenatal anatomy ultrasounds. Taking a sample of amniotic fluid also aids significantly in the detection of abnormalities such as sickle cell disease. However, most of the birth defects are identified certainly at birth. Various factors are associated with conceiving problems. Some of the main reasons for the problem include ovulation problems, endometriosis as well as quality and quantity of a partner’s sperm. Solution to endometriosis is surgery that results in the removal of the endometrial tissue that grows outside the uterus. A solution to the ovulation problem which is as a result of variation in hormonal production is the intake of fertility drugs as well as IVF (Baggott 76). The quality and quantity of the sperm is often affected by the STDs, excessive use of hot baths, smoking, and drinking. This problem can be solved by treatment of the STDs as well as change of behavior and practices associated with the weakening of the sperm. Use of condoms, cervical cap, and contraceptive sponge are some of the birth control methods. Male condom prevents the passage of sperms to the woman vagina. It is the only method that protects a person from contracting. However, its usage is associated with the causation of irritation as well as allergic reaction. Cervical cap is 84% effective in barring the pregnancy. It is non-hormonal barrier method, effective and can be reversed without any delay. Cervical caps are inexpensive and can be used during breastfeeding. However, this method does not protect a person from contracting STIs. In addition to some women finding difficulties in inserting cervical caps, they cannot be used during menstruation. They can also come out during the sexual intercourse. Use of contraceptive sponge is also associated with the protection of a woman from getting pregnant. It is most effective in women who have never given birth via the vagina. Its use has diverse advantages, and among them includes protecting the fertility of the parties involved, safe to use during the breastfeeding period and availability in drugstores without any prescription. However, this method has some disadvantages that are fatal. For instance, its failure rate is very high in addition to being a very embarrassing method. Additionally, it does not prevent the spread of STIs. There are many types of STDs that affect people across all ages today. Some of these diseases include HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, and syphilis. STDs are transmitted by having sex with a person having the disease without the use of protection. One can also contract the STDs through sharing sharp objects like needles with victims of these diseases. Additionally, blood contact with victims of these diseases through accidents also contributes to the transmission of the STDs. The symptoms of HIV include nausea, diarrhea, and enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, fever, headache, muscle aches, and weight loss. Severe condition of HIV results in death. The most recomendable treatment for this disease is antiretroviral therapy. Other treatment methods include avoiding abuse of drugs and eating right. HIV is one of the leading causation of deaths in the world. The symptoms of gonorrhea include burning sensation when urinating, bleeding between certain periods, swelling of the vulva, burning as well as swollen glands as a result of oral sex. It is also associated with greenish-yellow discharge from the pennies and the vagina. Severe gonorrhea hampers with the reproductive system of a person. Its treatment involves full use of oral or injectable antibiotic. Gonorrhea is one of the common diseases in the U.S. Syphilis is also one of the common threats to the public health. The symptoms of syphilis include presence of small painless sores on the reproductive organs or around the mouth, rash on the palms of hands as well on the soles of feet. The consequences of syphilis include causation of paralysis, blindness, and deafness. Death may also result if the disease is not treated. Protection of oneself from STIs involves use of condoms when playing sex, being faithful in relationships as well as abstaining from playing sex before marriage. The main reproductive organs of a male include testes, epididymis, vas deferens, and penis. It also includes urethra, prostate gland, and seminal vesicle. The testis, which consist of seminiferous tubules, produce sperms that then pass to epididymis where it matures. Mature sperm then travels from the epididymis to vas deferens and later to ampulla where seminal vesicle secretions are added. From the ampulla, the sperm is propelled via ejaculatory duct to the urethra, moving first through the prostate gland which adds milky fluid to t to form semen. The formed semen is then ejaculated via the end opening of the urethra (Baggott 16). By the fourth week after fertilization, the fetus develops structures responsible for the formation of the face and the neck. At this stage, the heart and the blood vessels continue to develop. The lungs, stomach, as well as the liver, starts to develop. At 8 weeks, the arms and the legs of a child are formed. At 12 weeks, the heart beats of the baby can be heard, and the sex organs start to become clear. At 16 weeks, the eyes of the baby blink and the heart as well as the blood vessels are well formed. At 20 weeks, the baby sucks a thumb, stretches as well as yawns. At 24 weeks, the pulses of the baby increase. Between 28 and 32 weeks, the skin of the baby starts to smoothen and it gains weight very fast. From this period onwards the baby increases in weight as it waits the delivery period (Baggott 40). Pregnancy leads to hormonal and physiological changes in women. This is evidenced by the fact that pregnant women experience increase in the amount of estrogen and progesterone as well as in functionality of hormones. The changes affect mood as well as enhance the glow of the fetus. The production of hormones makes pregnant women find difficulties in exercising. The weight gain of women also increases causing fluid retention in lower limbs. Breastfeeding is crucial to not only the child, but also the mother of the child. Breast milk has not only basic nutrition such as vitamins and nutrients required by the baby, but also have disease-fighting substances that prevent a child from contracting diseases because of the presence of immunoglobulin A in the colostrums. It also reduces the death of children that take place between 28 days and one year because of allergies. As a result of this, it is advisable for the mother to breastfeed the child for the first six months. Breastfeeding benefits the health of a mother as well. It increases the levels of oxytocin that stimulates postpartum uterine contractions that are responsible for minimizing blood loss as well as encouraging quick uterine toning. Breastfeeding also increases the rate of weight loss in mothers. In addition to protecting against the quick return of fertility, breastfeeding increases self-confidence that is associated with psychological benefits. I have learned a lot of things through my active involvement in this class, and among the key things that I have acquired include the fact that breastfeeding is important for both the child and the mother. I used to associate breastfeeding with only successive growth and development of young children. I have also learned that majority of the birth control methods do not protect a person from contracting STIs. Only abstinence is the best method of protecting oneself from deadly diseases. Additionally, I have also learned the essence of controlling birth when not ready to take care of the child. Birth control saves both parties involved from experiencing problems associated with unpreparedness in marriages. From my view, I think we have touched and detailed on everything related to reproduction. My responsibility now is to go through what we have learned and try to grasp the processes involved in human reproduction. Work Cited Baggott, L. Human Reproduction. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Read More