20 Unit 3
IgorCharkovsky ran pioneering 'birth camps' in the Black Sea from the 1960s. He believes that humans'ancestors lived mainly in water, and that it is unnatural and harmful to be born out of water. What doyou think?
In the UK, 98% of birthstake place in hospital. Is the situation similar in your country?
Signs and symptoms
Pregnancy and labour
A pattern of signs often alerts a woman that she may be pregnant. A different pattern of signs occurs when labour begins at the end of the pregnancy. Work in pairs to complete the list of signs using the words below.
bloating
contractions
discharge
fatigue
mood
morning
mucus
need
nipple
period
pelvis
rupture
strength
temperature
trembling
You will miss a menstrual period.
False, 'Braxton Hicks'_occur.
_and sleepiness are common.
Contractions become more rhythmic and increase in__
Some women feel abdominal_
reported.
. swings and stress are often
7 You notice an increase in pink or white__
You may experience. Your basal body_
. sickness.
. will be elevated.
10 There may be a 'show', which is the release of a_plug from the cervix.
11 You may feel the_to urinate
12
frequently.
The baby's head engages - that is, it lowers into the__
13 It is common for the area around the _to darken. _
14 Shivering or_without reason
is common. _
15 Your waters break, which is the_
of the amniotic sac. _
2 Decide if each sign in 1 indicates pregnancy or labour. Write P (pregnancy) or I (labour).
Speaking
Discussion for and against
1 Work in two groups. Read the sentences below. Group A, think of arguments in favour of the statements. Group B, think of arguments against the statements. Then join with the other group to discuss the statements.
• Couples should have the right to know the sex of their baby.
• There should be an age limit for fertility treatment for women.
• The best age to have children is 20-25. :  Schools should teach baby care.
2 Now read these sentences. Group B, think of arguments in favour. Group A, think of arguments against.
Mothers should be allowed to choose whether or not to have a Caesarean.
• All foetuses should be tested for conditions such as Down syndrome and spina bifida.
• Women should be left to decide for themselves whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed. Abortions should be allowed up to twenty weeks.
Writing
Discursive essay
Read the essay on the advantages and disadvantages of water birth. Write the letter of the paragraph where the writer makes each point below. Put a cross (/) if the point is not included in the essay.
1 Nurses have a greater risk of infection
with water births. Q
2 Water birth is becoming more widely available. _
3 The mother's anxiety is reduced in water. _
4 Water births cause delays if emergency treatment is needed. _
5 Women who have given birth in water
often choose to again. _
6 There is a risk of the baby breathing water
into its lungs. -
7 Bleeding is difficult to monitor. _
8 The mother can change position more
easily in water. _