Placenta
Updated:The placenta is a temporary organ that develops during pregnancy, connecting the developing fetus to the uterine wall. This remarkable structure acts as a lifeline between mother and baby, performing crucial functions for fetal growth and development. The placenta allows for the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products between the maternal and fetal blood supplies, without the two blood systems actually mixing.
Additional Information
The placenta begins to form soon after conception and is fully functional by week 12 of pregnancy. It continues to grow throughout pregnancy, reaching about 1-2 pounds at full term. After childbirth, the placenta is expelled from the uterus in what's known as the "third stage of labor" or "afterbirth."
Some key functions of the placenta include:
- Providing oxygen and nutrients to the fetus
- Removing waste products from the fetal blood
- Producing hormones necessary for pregnancy maintenance
- Offering some protection against harmful substances
In some cultures, the placenta is considered sacred and may be consumed (placentophagy) or buried in a ceremony after birth.
Examples
During an ultrasound, the doctor pointed out the placenta attached to the uterine wall, nourishing the growing fetus.
After giving birth, Sarah was fascinated to see the placenta that had supported her baby for nine months.