Childbearing and Reproductive Health

Students will be challenged to think critically about aspects of male and female reproductive health using a continuum of care approach from health promotion through restoration. Childbearing, in the context of the developing family, will be the primary focus in both the didactic and clinical components of the course. Students will examine factors influencing conception, pregnancy, and birth (i.e., genetics, therapeutic nutrition, perinatal loss, and infertility). They will discuss the effects that culture, society, technology, and economics have on childbearing and reproductive health. A variety of women's health issues from menarche to menopause, as well as commonly occurring male reproductive health issues will be included. We will explore factors influencing expressions of human sexuality in the context of gender and age. Students will examine reproductive health issues in the context of immediate (family) environments to more distal (extended/societal) environments.