As a mother-to-be, you and your baby growing in your womb have an amazing, indescribable bond. The placenta is the main link that builds this bond and protects the baby's life throughout the months it spends in the womb. You've probably heard about it, but today we're going to talk in detail, very simply, about what exactly it does and how important it is.
Simply put, what is the placenta?
The placenta is a temporary organ that only forms during pregnancy. To be precise, it is attached to the wall of the uterus and connected to your baby via the umbilical cord. Together, the placenta and the umbilical cord act as the baby's lifeline while it is still in the womb.
Just think, everything the baby needs, everything that needs to be removed from the baby's body, is removed through this amazing organ. That means the baby's survival is completely dependent on a healthy placenta.
What are the main functions of the placenta?
The list of things the placenta does for the baby is really long, but let's look at some of the main things.
- Providing oxygen and nutrition to the baby: Oxygen from the breath you take and nutrients from the food you eat are added to your blood. So this nutrient-rich and oxygen-rich blood passes through the placenta and goes to the baby's body through the umbilical cord. It's like a 'supply service' dedicated to the baby.
- Removing waste products from the baby's body: Harmful waste products, such as carbon dioxide, that are produced by the baby's body return to the placenta through the umbilical cord, where they are collected in your blood and removed from your body. This means that the placenta does some of the work that the baby's kidneys, lungs, and liver do until the baby is born.
- Produces hormones for the baby's development: The placenta produces several essential hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, that help maintain a healthy pregnancy. These hormones are very important for both you and your baby.
- Giving your baby immunity: Your body's antibodies are passed to your baby through the placenta. This provides the baby with basic immunity that protects it from various diseases during the first few months after birth. This is one of the most precious gifts a mother can give her baby.
- Providing protection for the baby: The placenta also helps create a safe environment around the baby.
When does the placenta start to develop?
The placenta begins to develop after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, which is between 7 and 10 days after conception. It begins with just a few cells and gradually grows throughout the pregnancy to meet the baby's needs.
By the end of the first trimester, around 12 weeks, the placenta takes over the main responsibility for hormone production. Before that, this function was mostly done by a part of the body called the corpus luteum . Many people experience nausea, vomiting, and fatigue during the first trimester, which subsides in the second trimester as the placenta takes over.
Where is the placenta located? Does it move around?
The placenta can develop anywhere in the uterus. It depends on where the fertilized egg implants in the uterine wall. You may have seen this mentioned in your scan reports.
Although the placenta may appear to be "moving around," what's actually happening is that as the baby grows, the uterus also grows, causing the placenta to move up. It doesn't move, it just moves up with the uterus. By about 32 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta is usually at the top or on the side wall of the uterus.
During your 20-week anomaly scan (anatomy ultrasound), the doctor will carefully examine the position of the placenta.
There are several main types of placenta placement. Let's look at them in an easy-to-understand way.
| Position Name | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Posterior Placenta | The placenta is located on the back wall of the uterus, meaning it is on your back. |
| Anterior Placenta | The placenta is located on the front wall of the uterus, which is towards your belly. At this time, you may feel less of your baby's movements (kicks) because the placenta acts like a cushion. |
| Fundal Placenta | The placenta is located in the upper part of the uterus. |
| Lateral Placenta | The placenta is located on the right or left side wall of the uterus. |
What does the placenta look like and how big is it?
The placenta is usually a round, flat disc. It is dark red in color because it has many blood vessels. It has two sides. The side that is attached to the uterine wall is a deep red-blue color. The side that is facing the baby is gray.
When the baby is born, the placenta is about 10 inches long, about an inch thick in the middle , and weighs about 500 grams (about a pound) .
What problems can be related to the placenta?
In most pregnancies, the placenta works well without any problems. However, sometimes complications can occur. This can be dangerous for both you and your baby, so it's important to be aware of this.
Remember, these things don't happen to everyone. These are relatively rare conditions. But being aware of them can help you notify your doctor as soon as possible if you develop any symptoms.
| Problem name (Condition) | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Placenta Previa | This is when the placenta is located in the lower part of the uterus, completely or partially covering the cervix. This is also called a "low placenta." |
| Placenta Accreta | In this case, the placenta is attached to the uterine wall more deeply than necessary. This can make it difficult for the placenta to come out after delivery. |
| Placental Abruption | The placenta, either partially or completely, separates from the uterine wall before the baby is born. This is an emergency. |
| Placental Insufficiency | A condition in which the placenta is unable to provide the baby with enough nutrition or oxygen. This can cause the baby's growth to be stunted. |
| Retained Placenta | Parts of the placenta remain inside the uterus after childbirth. This can cause heavy bleeding and infection. |
If you have had previous uterine surgery, or if you had a placenta problem in a previous pregnancy, it is very important to inform your doctor.
What are the symptoms of a placenta problem?
Vaginal bleeding is the main and most common symptom of a placental problem. However, not everyone experiences this symptom. Therefore, symptoms such as severe abdominal pain and frequent contractions can also indicate a placental problem. Sometimes, a baby's growth rate during a scan can be less than expected for his age, which can be a sign that the placenta is not functioning properly.
The most important thing is that if you feel anything unusual during pregnancy, especially if you notice any bleeding, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
How to treat problems like this?
Treatment options depend on the nature of the problem, its severity, and how far along you are in your pregnancy. Your doctor will check you and your baby regularly to ensure their safety. Treatment options may include:
- Frequent scans and clinic visits.
- Sometimes, a baby is born before the due date (preterm birth).
- Bed rest.
- Advise to avoid things like sexual intercourse and excessive exercise.
- Recommending a cesarean delivery.
What happens to the placenta after the baby is born?
The baby will be expelled from the uterus between 5 and 30 minutes after birth. This is called the "third stage of labor" or "afterbirth." If you have had a normal delivery, your uterus will continue to contract and push the placenta out. Your doctor may press on your abdomen and ask you to push one more time.
If you had a cesarean section, after the baby is delivered, the doctor will remove the placenta through the same incision.
Other beliefs and practices about the placenta
In some cultures, eating placenta or taking it in pill form is believed to have health benefits. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this. It may also have adverse effects. Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor before making any decisions about this.
The placenta is often removed after delivery, but some people choose to bank the placenta's tissue and blood to store stem cells. These stem cells could be used to treat certain conditions in the future.
Sometimes, if you or your baby have an infection like the flu, if your baby is born prematurely, or if your baby is underweight, your doctor may refer you to a pathologist for an examination of the placenta.
The placenta is truly an amazing lifeline between you and your baby. It's a vital organ that provides everything your baby needs until birth. So it's important to be aware of it, and to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.
Take-Home Message
- The placenta is a temporary but extremely important organ that provides your baby with nutrition, oxygen, removes waste, and produces hormones during pregnancy.
- Notify your doctor immediately of any vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or unusual symptoms during pregnancy.
- Don't skip any of the clinics and scans prescribed by your doctor. These are essential to monitor the health of the placenta and baby.
- Smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking any medication without medical advice can harm the baby through the placenta. So avoid these completely.
- If you have any doubts or questions about the location or function of the placenta, discuss it openly with your doctor.
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