If you are a mother-to-be, how much do you think about the little one growing inside you? Have you ever wondered how he gets food, water, and air to breathe? All of this happens through an amazing connection between you and your baby. Today we are talking about the placenta, an amazing organ that builds that connection and is like the baby's lifeline, and is special to pregnancy.
Simply put, what is the placenta?
The placenta, or what we call the ``Placenta'', is a temporary organ that develops only during pregnancy. To be precise, it is like a bridge that connects your baby to your uterus. Shortly after conception, this placenta forms and attaches to the wall of your uterus. The baby is connected to the placenta through the umbilical cord. So, the placenta and the umbilical cord together act as the lifeline of the baby in the womb.
The services the placenta provides to the baby are no small feat. Let's take a look at some of the main things it does.
- Provides oxygen and nutrition to the baby: The baby receives some of the nutrients from the breath you breathe and the food you eat through the placenta.
- Removes waste products from the baby's body: The placenta also helps to remove waste products, such as carbon dioxide, produced by the baby's body and return them to your body.
- Produces hormones: The placenta produces many hormones essential for the baby's development.
- Provides immunity: The placenta is what passes on your body's antibodies to your baby, protecting it from diseases in the first few months after birth.
- Provides protection for the baby: To some extent, this acts like a shield that protects the baby.
When does the placenta start to develop?
The placenta begins to form after the fertilized egg implants in your uterus, which is between 7 and 10 days after conception. Starting with just a few small cells, the placenta gradually grows larger as the baby grows.
By the end of the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta takes over the main responsibility for hormone production. You may have noticed that the nausea, vomiting, and fatigue that many mothers experience in the first trimester tend to subside in the second trimester as the placenta takes over.
Shall we explain the functioning of the placenta a little more?
Think about it, while your baby is in the womb, the placenta acts as your baby's lungs, kidneys, and liver . While your blood travels through the placenta, your blood and your baby's blood never mix. But, in the meantime, oxygen, glucose, and all the other nutrients your baby needs are being delivered to your baby through the umbilical cord. It also filters out waste products from your baby's blood and adds them to yours. This is a very amazing process.
As your baby approaches birth, your placenta passes your antibodies to your baby. This is the baby's first immune system. It is this immunity that protects your baby from minor illnesses in the first few months after birth.
In addition, it produces a number of essential hormones that are specific to pregnancy, such as `(lactogen), `(estrogen), and `(progesterone).` For example, the placenta also produces a hormone that stops milk production during pregnancy.
Where is the placenta located? Does it move around?
This is a question that many mothers have. Does the placenta really "move around?" No, what's really happening is that as the baby grows, the uterus expands. As the uterus grows, the placenta attached to it appears to be pulled up. It's like a balloon getting bigger when you inflate it.
During your 20-week anomaly scan, your doctor will look at the exact location of the placenta. This will help you determine if there are any complications that could arise depending on its location. But don't worry, most of the time, by about 32 weeks, the placenta will be positioned on the top or side of the uterus.
The placenta can be located anywhere in the uterus. It depends on where the fertilized egg first implants in the uterine wall. Let's take a look at the main locations where the placenta is located.
| Placenta Position | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Posterior Placenta | Position on the back wall of the uterus (towards your back). |
| Anterior Placenta | Location on the front wall of the uterus (on your belly side). |
| Fundal Placenta | The location of the upper part of the uterus. |
| Lateral Placenta | Location of the right or left side wall of the uterus. |
Don't worry if you see these words on your scan report. These are all normal positions. The only time you should be concerned is if the placenta is low, covering the cervix.
What does the placenta look like and how big is it?
The placenta is like a thick saucer of tissue filled with blood vessels and lumps. That's why it looks dark red. It has two sides. The side that's attached to your uterus is dark red-blue. The side that's attached to your baby is gray.
When the baby is born, the placenta is usually about 10 inches long, about an inch thick in the middle, and weighs about 500 grams (about a pound).
What problems can occur with the placenta?
Most of the time, the placenta does its job without any problems. However, in rare cases, complications can occur. It's important to be aware of this because it can be dangerous for you or your baby.
If you have previously undergone uterine surgery, or had a placenta problem in a previous pregnancy, inform your doctor.
| Condition name (Condition) | Simply put, what is it? |
|---|---|
| Placenta Previa | The placenta is located in the lower part of the uterus, completely or partially covering the cervix. It is also called a 'placenta previa'. |
| Placenta Accreta | The placenta is attached to the uterine wall. |
| Placental Abruption | The placenta detaches from the uterine wall before the baby is born. |
| Placental Insufficiency | The baby does not receive enough nutrition or oxygen through the placenta. |
| Retained Placenta | Part of the placenta remains in the uterus after the baby is born. |
What are the symptoms of this type of problem?
The most common sign of a placental problem is vaginal bleeding. But not everyone bleeds. So talk to your doctor right away about any unusual symptoms you experience, such as severe abdominal pain or uterine contractions . Sometimes, a baby's growth may also be a sign of a placental problem.
How are conditions like this treated?
Treatment options depend on factors such as the severity of the problem and the stage of your pregnancy. Your doctor will monitor you and your baby closely and do what is safest for both of you.
- You may be asked to come for frequent scans and clinics.
- It may be possible to decide to deliver the baby before the due date (preterm birth).
- You can say to avoid activities that can cause bleeding, such as sex and exercise.
- Bed rest may be recommended.
- In some cases, a cesarean delivery may be necessary.
What are the things that are harmful to the placenta?
This is very important. The medications, drugs, alcohol, and nicotine you take pass through your bloodstream to your baby through the placenta .
Therefore, do not take any medication, even vitamins, during pregnancy without consulting your doctor. Drinking alcohol and smoking are completely inappropriate during pregnancy.
What happens to the placenta after the baby is born?
The placenta is delivered between 5 and 30 minutes after the baby is born. This is what we call the 'third stage of labor'. If you had a normal delivery, your uterus will continue to contract and push the placenta out. Your doctor may press on your belly a little, or ask you to push one last time.
If you had a cesarean section, the doctor will remove the placenta through the same incision after the baby is delivered.
The true story of eating placenta
In some cultures, eating the nutrient-rich placenta (cooked or in capsule form) is believed to have health benefits. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the health benefits of eating the placenta. It may even be harmful to you. So, be sure to talk to your doctor before making any decisions about it.
So what does the placenta actually do?
In most cases, the placenta is removed and disposed of after delivery. However, some parents choose to store placental tissue and blood to store stem cells. These stem cells can be used in the future to treat certain medical conditions.
Sometimes, if you or your baby have an illness like a fever, if your baby is born prematurely, or if your baby is underweight, your doctor may refer the placenta to a pathologist for further testing.
The placenta is an amazing lifeline between you and your baby. It is an essential organ that provides nourishment and oxygen to your baby until birth. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of it and do the necessary things to ensure its healthy existence.
Take-Home Message
- The placenta is a temporary organ that connects you and your baby during pregnancy and provides the baby with nutrition and oxygen.
- It acts like the baby's lungs, kidneys, and liver. It also provides immunity to the baby.
- Doctors will pay attention to the position of the placenta during your scans. They will let you know if there is a problem.
- If you experience any type of vaginal bleeding or severe abdominal pain during pregnancy, contact your doctor immediately.
- Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and medications taken without medical advice completely as they can cross the placenta and harm the baby.
- Talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you have about the placenta or pregnancy.
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