Throughout our lives, we hear various terms that we know are related to a specific subject, but we’re not quite sure what they mean. This happens, for example, when we talk about well-known pregnancy terms, like placenta, for instance. For many people, this immediately brings to mind a woman’s pregnancy, but many do not know exactly what it is or, even less, its important role in this process.

What Is the Placenta?

The placenta is a very unique organ of mammals, only existing during pregnancy and acting as a protective layer for the baby to ensure the progress of the pregnancy. The mother’s and baby’s blood almost never come into direct contact with each other (the passage of red blood cells from the mother to the baby is a particularly serious problem when the topic is the Rh factor), with the placenta serving as an intermediary to guarantee the fetus’s protection. The formation of this organ happens early in pregnancy, right after fertilization. When the egg is implanted in the uterine wall, several cells start to infiltrate the uterine blood vessels, beginning an internal lining that will later become the placenta. Around the 12th week of pregnancy it is complete and performing all its main functions. Until the 16th week, the baby and the placenta weigh about the same, but by the end of pregnancy, the baby is usually up to six times heavier than the organ. During childbirth, the placenta detaches from the uterus and comes out with the baby. Although many people consider it beneficial for the baby to remain covered with it in their first moments of life, there is no study proving any function of the placenta outside the uterus, despite the fact that it might help prevent bacteria from attacking the baby at first. However, this is something doctors can easily handle without affecting the baby’s health in any way, so, at least for now, this practice has no real effectiveness.

Functions of the Placenta

There are several functions attributed to the placenta, and it is a crucial organ for the baby’s development and safety inside the mother’s uterus. These functions are:Nutrition: One of the placenta’s main functions. It is responsible for maintaining the exchange of nutrients between mother and baby through the umbilical cord.Respiration: The gas exchanges of the fetus are also a role of this organ. The placenta receives oxygen from the mother through the umbilical cord and releases carbon dioxide through itself.Immunological Protection: The placenta is also responsible for protecting the baby if the mother becomes ill, stopping viruses and bacteria from affecting the baby directly. Even if the mother isn’t sick, there are several types of bacteria that can be present in her body that could harm the baby, and the placenta also blocks this contact.Urine Excretion: This mostly occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, when the baby starts to swallow amniotic fluid and urinate. The produced urea is eliminated through the placenta.Hormone Production: Another very important function of this organ is producing beta hCG hormones and progesterone, which are some of the main pregnancy hormones and play significant roles during labor and even for breastfeeding. In addition, by producing hormones, the placenta ensures pregnancy develops correctly by modifying the mother’s metabolism. There are still other functions the placenta performs, such as transferring heat between mother and baby, acting as a drug filter, and especially, physical protection, since this layer prevents impacts to the mother’s belly from directly affecting the baby and even protects from sudden changes in temperature.

Main Problems with the Placenta

During pregnancy, several problems may occur with the placenta, with varied degrees of seriousness. We will talk here about each one, explaining the risks and how each can happen.

Placental Abruption

This happens when the placenta detaches from the uterus before labor begins. Such detachment can occur due to severe blows, smoking, very high blood pressure, or a woman’s history with the same issue. Placental abruption can cause problems in the baby’s development and must be treated as quickly as possible.

Placental Thrombosis

This occurs when a clot forms in one of the placenta’s arteries or veins, making it harder for gases and nutrients to be exchanged with the baby. Although rare, it can be harmful and even lead to miscarriage, even though there are cases of placental thrombosis that are never felt by the mother and cause no harm.

Calcified Placenta

This problem occurs when the placenta develops too quickly, becoming “aged” and losing the quality of some of its functions. If this happens before the 34th week of pregnancy, it can be dangerous since a calcified placenta can cause problems with the baby’s development.

Low-Lying Placenta

This happens when the placenta covers the opening of the cervix. It is normal in the first trimester of pregnancy, but, if the problem persists, vaginal delivery may become unfeasible or a preterm labor could occur.

Placenta Accreta

Unlike placental abruption, this condition happens due to the placenta’s difficulty to detach at the time of birth. Depending on severity, this problem can even pose a risk of death for the mother, requiring removal of the uterus. For a woman who wants to get pregnant, it is extremely important to know about organs such as the placenta and understand their functions, how they develop, and to be aware of possible problems that may arise. Of course, doing your own research will never replace talking to your doctor, but this way, a woman will be much better informed to ask more specific questions and be watchful for any signs of problems during pregnancy. You can never be too informed, especially when it comes to your pregnancy and matters involving your future child. Also see: Ramzi Method – Does Placenta Position Influence the Baby’s Sex? Photo: דולה – דהן תמרה