For the Unit B Assessment, you will assume the role of a fertility doctor working with three couples on their fertility problems.
You will examine the case history, including physical assessment, of each couple and their journey towards conceiving children. This will involve identifying the problem(s), diagnosing or identifying the cause of the problem(s), and consulting (discussing the problem) with the couple. As you work through Module 3 you will discover possible structural and hormonal issues leading to their fertility issues. In Module 4 you will discover possible developmental and environmental issues that may have contributed to their fertility issues. Throughout Unit B you will study reproductive technologies couples may use to enhance their chances of starting a family.
In the following scenarios, pay attention to the choices made by these couples and to the situations that arise that could affect fertility. By initially reading about the couples now, you can keep their situations in mind as you work through the unit. You will be attempting to uncover the specific fertility issue(s) for each couple, the possible options for each couple, and the technologies that could be used to overcome their fertility issues.
syndrome: a disease with a group of symptoms occurring at the same time
Couple 1: Jane and John have waited until their early 30s to have children. They have fraternal twins, who are two years old. One of the twins has Turner syndrome, a genetic disorder in which a female child has only one X chromosome. Jane and John wish to have another child. They are both 35 years old and have no known reproductive problems. Because one of their children is also autistic, they wish to be better informed about possible health concerns for their next child.
Couple 2: José and Maria are high school sweethearts who were married at 21 and 22 years of age, respectively. They chose to complete university degrees and start their careers before starting a family. They are now 27 and 28 years of age and want to have children.
Maria had severe cramping with her menstrual cycle at the age of 15, and her doctor prescribed birth control pills. She took these pills until two years ago, when she and José decided they wanted to start their family. Six months after going off the pill, she still was not menstruating regularly and she had not become pregnant.
José has no known reproductive problems.
Couple 3: Olga and Karl are both in their second marriage and wish to build on their blended family by having a child of their own.
Karl was widowed when his first wife passed away. He and his first wife had two children. Karl had a vasectomy after his children were born.
Olga and her first husband had tried to start a family, but no children resulted.