The Placenta Keeps The Foetus Safe and Nourished
- Consider the placenta a lifeline between a mother and her developing baby.
- This remarkable organ supports the foetus by facilitating nutrient exchange, hormone production, and immune protection, all while allowing the baby to grow safely within the uterus.
Definition
Placenta
The placenta is a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy. It connects the foetus to the uterine wall via the umbilical cord, acting as a bridge for the exchange of substances between mother and baby.
The placenta is unique because it is made of foetal tissue but functions within the maternal body.
Key Functions of the Placenta
1. Nutrient and Gas Exchange
- The placenta ensures that the foetus receives essential nutrients and oxygen while removing waste products like carbon dioxide.
- How does this exchange occur?
- Maternal blood flows into spaces called intervillous spaces.
- Foetal blood circulates in capillaries within placental villi, which are finger-like projections providing a large surface area for efficient exchange.
The large surface areaof placental villi is crucial for efficient exchange, similar to how alveoli in the lungs maximize gas exchange.
2. Hormone Production
- The placenta produces hormones that sustain pregnancy, such as:
- Progesterone: Maintains the uterine lining and prevents contractions.
- Oestrogen: Supports foetal development and prepares the body for childbirth.
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): Signals the corpus luteum to continue hormone production in early pregnancy.
In IVF treatments, hCG is often administered to mimic natural processes and support early pregnancy.
3. Immune Protection
- The placenta acts as a selective barrier, allowing beneficial substances (e.g., nutrients, oxygen) to pass while blocking harmful pathogens.
