Birth Days

Background Information

Young people are exposed to a wide range of information and misinformation about conception and contraception. Some of this comes through lack of understanding, contradictory news stories, reliance on peers for information and some from conflicting messages from groups in society whose perspectives are informed by different sets of values.

Fertility and conception
As with other aspects of biological science, our understanding of sperm and egg production, fertilisation, growth and development of embryo and foetus and the mechanism of birth continues to advance. Often, the solving of one mystery only leads to the opening up of another, and the way in which research is carried out and reported can mislead as well as enlighten. It is important that young people have the opportunity to explore the potential impact on their lives of developments in understanding in these areas and in the technologies that accompany them.

In the journey from production to fertilisation, egg and sperm may encounter many hazards but many young people find themselves pregnant the first time they have unprotected sex, reflecting that they are at the peak of their fertility. People in their mid-thirties may find it more difficult to conceive and find themselves becoming increasingly anxious if they want to have a child before getting any older, or before their potential child-bearing years are over. However, the real-life stories of how the four women in the programme conceived illustrate some of the complexities around this issue, emphasising the need to be vigilant about the proper use of contraception and to make informed decisions should it fail. While the programme doesn't deal specifically with protection from sexually transmitted infections and the HIV virus, it is essential that sexually active people are aware of these conditions and take precautions to reduce the risk to themselves and others.

Physiological changes during pregnancy
It is important that both men and women tune into the physiological changes that take place during the months of pregnancy, understand why they are taking place and seek help and advice as appropriate. As the baby grows and develops, women can feel they are being taken over and are no longer in control of their own bodies. Some may be unhappy about the changes taking place and about what is happening to their body shape. Men and women may have different perspectives on the attractiveness of this and women may have different perspectives on it at different stages in their lives.

Birth, delivery and managing pain
The programme illustrates the wide range of choice now available in relation to birth, delivery and managing pain. It is important that people know what is available locally, that they make choices that are right for them and that they develop realistic expectations of what to expect during labour and childbirth.