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Chapter FOUR- Community Health
community health (JSS University)
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CHAPTER FOUR
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
Meaning
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal
period. Each stage should be a positive experience, ensuring women and their babies reach their
full potential for health and well-being.
Child health
Preconception health
Preconception care is care you receive before you get pregnant. Your health care provider can
help you figure out which steps you need to take now, such as:
i. Finding and taking care of any problems that might affect you and your baby later,
like diabetes or high blood pressure
ii. Increasing the amount of folic acid you get to prevent neural tube defects
iii. Getting up to date on vaccines
iv. Avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs
v. Trying to reach a healthy weight
Process of conception
i. Ovulation: Typically, ovulation occurs around the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, where
an egg is released from one of the ovaries into the fallopian tube.
ii. Fertilization: If sperm is present in the fallopian tube during ovulation, it can fertilize the
egg, forming a zygote.
iii. Zygote formation: The zygote, resulting from the fusion of sperm and egg, begins to
undergo rapid cell division as it travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus.
iv. Morula formation: After several days of cell division, the zygote develops into a solid
ball of cells called a morula.
v. Blastocyst formation: As the morula continues to divide, it forms a hollow structure with
an inner cell mass and an outer layer of cells, called a blastocyst.
vi. Implantation: Around 6-7 days after fertilization, the blastocyst reaches the uterus. It
begins to adhere to the uterine lining and eventually burrows into it, a process known as
implantation.
vii. Development: Following implantation, the blastocyst continues to develop. The inner cell
mass will differentiate into the embryo, while the outer layer will form the placenta and
other supporting structures.
viii. Pregnancy: Once implantation is successful, pregnancy is established, and the
embryo continues to grow and develop in the uterus over the course of approximately
nine months.
Downloaded by Patrick Musyoka ()
Chapter FOUR- Community Health
community health (JSS University)
Scan to open on Studocu
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Patrick Musyoka ()
, lOMoARcPSD|51576669
CHAPTER FOUR
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
Meaning
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal
period. Each stage should be a positive experience, ensuring women and their babies reach their
full potential for health and well-being.
Child health
Preconception health
Preconception care is care you receive before you get pregnant. Your health care provider can
help you figure out which steps you need to take now, such as:
i. Finding and taking care of any problems that might affect you and your baby later,
like diabetes or high blood pressure
ii. Increasing the amount of folic acid you get to prevent neural tube defects
iii. Getting up to date on vaccines
iv. Avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs
v. Trying to reach a healthy weight
Process of conception
i. Ovulation: Typically, ovulation occurs around the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, where
an egg is released from one of the ovaries into the fallopian tube.
ii. Fertilization: If sperm is present in the fallopian tube during ovulation, it can fertilize the
egg, forming a zygote.
iii. Zygote formation: The zygote, resulting from the fusion of sperm and egg, begins to
undergo rapid cell division as it travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus.
iv. Morula formation: After several days of cell division, the zygote develops into a solid
ball of cells called a morula.
v. Blastocyst formation: As the morula continues to divide, it forms a hollow structure with
an inner cell mass and an outer layer of cells, called a blastocyst.
vi. Implantation: Around 6-7 days after fertilization, the blastocyst reaches the uterus. It
begins to adhere to the uterine lining and eventually burrows into it, a process known as
implantation.
vii. Development: Following implantation, the blastocyst continues to develop. The inner cell
mass will differentiate into the embryo, while the outer layer will form the placenta and
other supporting structures.
viii. Pregnancy: Once implantation is successful, pregnancy is established, and the
embryo continues to grow and develop in the uterus over the course of approximately
nine months.
Downloaded by Patrick Musyoka ()
