The placenta – what is it and when is it formed? Bearing functions [EXPLAIN]

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The placenta is very important to the developing baby. It is a transitional fetal organ, meaning that a woman’s body only produces it during pregnancy after conception. It functions as the lungs, liver, kidneys and digestive system. The condition of the placenta is regularly monitored during pregnancy with ultrasound examinations. What is the function of the placenta and when does the woman “give birth” to it?

The placenta is undoubtedly a unique organ. It plays a key role in pregnancy, fetal development and lifelong health. It is made of both mother’s and baby’s tissues. Its function is very important and complex. Simply put, the placenta nourishes the developing fetus and allows it to breathe. The placenta is a temporary organ, but it plays some of the most important roles in sustaining a developing life.

The bearing is it transitional organwhich is found exclusively in placental mammals. The placenta weighs about 400-500 mg and has a diameter of 20 cm. It is located in the upper part of the uterine cavity. A distinction is made between a placenta on the posterior wall and a placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus. It is a fetal organ that it begins to form when the embryo is implanted in the uterus.

The placenta forms tiny raised hairs (villi) that extend into the uterine wall. The cells of the embryo penetrate the walls of the uterus and connect with its blood vessels. Some of them form the placenta, and the rest are formed by the umbilical cord and fetal membranes.

About 10 days after conception, as soon as the fertilized egg is implanted into the uterus, chorionic villus formation is also formed. The placenta is fully unfolding in the 18-20th week of pregnancy. It grows with pregnancy to give your baby access to oxygen and nutrients, and to act immune to them. The mother’s blood supply is fully related to the developing placenta through the 14th week of pregnancy.

The anatomy of the placenta consists of two components:

  1. maternal placenta – this part of the placenta develops from the tissue of the mother’s uterus and begins to form 7-12 days after conception,  
  2. fetal placenta – occurs when the outer blastocyst cells (the mass of cells that make up the earliest form of an embryo) divide and place deep within the uterus to connect with the mother’s blood supply. This part of the placenta begins to form 17–22 days after conception. 

At the beginning of pregnancy, a group of ovarian cells called the corpus luteum is responsible for producing the necessary estrogen and progesterone. However, when the placenta is fully expanded after 18–20 weeks, it can take over and the corpus luteum dissolves. This process is called “taking over the placenta.”

Bearing functions

The placenta in pregnancy is a very important organ that is in charge of blood flow between mother and fetus. The blood of the developing fetus reaches the placenta thanks to two umbilical arteries. On the spot, the blood is oxidized and saturated with nutrients. These arteries also remove waste products and carbon dioxide from the baby’s body, and are excreted through the mother’s kidneys and lungs.

The transport of substances between the body of the mother and the baby also has its drawbacks. Be aware that some substances can harm your baby. This is why most medications, alcohol, cigarettes and drugs should be avoided during pregnancy. The risk also applies to some pathogenic microorganisms, such as viruses.

In recent years, doctors and scientists have discovered that the placenta has even more functions than before. Rather than being a passive bridge between pregnant and baby, the placenta also produces hormones such as human placental lactogen (HPL), chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), relaxin, oxytocin, progesterone, and estrogen, which are essential for both during pregnancy. Ensure specific protection of the fetus against infections, protecting it against most bacteria, unfortunately it does not protect against viruses. At the end of pregnancy, the placenta transmits antibodies (which the mother possesses) to the baby, keeping her immune for about 3 months after birth.

Proper development of the placenta is very important to a developing fetus. Unfortunately, some factors may adversely affect its structure and functioning. Here they are:

  1. maternal age – some placenta problems are more common in older women, especially after the age of 40, especially when it is their first pregnancy,
  2. blood clotting disorders – a condition that either impairs the blood’s ability to clot or increases its likelihood of clotting, increases the risk of placental problems,
  3. high blood pressure in the mother – high blood pressure in the mother can cause the placenta to detach
  4. premature rupture of membranes – During pregnancy, the baby is surrounded and cushioned by a fluid-filled membrane known as the amniotic sac. If the bag leaks or breaks, there is a risk of problems with the functioning of the bearing,
  5. twin pregnancy or other multiple pregnancy – in the case of a twin pregnancy, placenta previa may occur and the placenta may detach,
  6. previous uterine surgery – if it was before pregnancy uterine surgerye.g. surgery to remove fibroids, there is a probability of dysfunction in the development of the placenta, 
  7. previous problems with the placenta – if you had problems with the placenta in previous pregnancies, there is a high probability of their occurrence in subsequent pregnancies,
  8. abdominal injury – abdominal trauma – such as a fall, impact, contusion – increases the risk of premature separation of the placenta from the uterus (rupture of the placenta)
  9. Toxic Substance Abuse – Some placental problems are more common in women who smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol and / or use drugs (e.g. cocaine) before and during pregnancy.

It is very important to observe your body during pregnancy. Pregnant if she notices symptoms such as:

  1. vaginal bleeding
  2. abdominal pain,
  3. back pain,
  4. uterine contractions.

She should immediately go to her attending physician or the gynecological emergency room to check if there is anything disturbing about the pregnancy, and thus with the placenta.

Bearing – the most common problems

Developmental defects, abnormal functioning or implantation of the placenta pose a serious threat to the further course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus. All anomalies of the placenta, both in terms of structure, location, diseases, etc. as a result, they lead to pathology such as placental insufficiency, which disrupts the proper functioning of this organ.

In early pregnancy, developmental pathologies of the placenta lead to a miscarriage of pregnancy, and in higher pregnancy, they may lead to abnormal maternal-fetal exchange, i.e. may lead to the inhibition of the development of the fetus and other threats to its life.

Some pregnancies may lead to the formation of additional placental lobes, which are connected by blood vessels running above the cervix and under the frontal part of the fetus. the wandering vessels. These vessels, usually along with the rupture of the fetal bladder, also rupture, which may result in a threat to the life of the fetus (if the condition is not diagnosed early).

Abnormal growth of the placenta in the first weeks of pregnancy may cause the so-called zaśniadu croniastego. The cells of the placenta the villi begin to grow excessively filling the entire uterine cavity and the ultrasound image does not reveal the embryo inside the fetal egg. A precise definition is that a molar is a benign trophoblastic disease that develops during pregnancy. It arises as a result of incorrect fertilization and is characterized by trophoblastic growth that prevents the physiological development of the embryo. A molar mole can be complete or partial. In about 40% of cases complete form, it is asymptomatic. Usually, a mole is detected when a first-trimester miscarriage is suspected, when there is bleeding and lower abdominal pain. Second trimester symptoms (vomiting, uterine haemorrhage, abnormal uterine enlargement, less commonly anemia or pre-eclampsia) are less frequent due to earlier ultrasound detection of the disease. Clinical signs of partial moles (uterine haemorrhage, vomiting, etc.) are rare.

Placental insufficiency (or vaso-uterine placental insufficiency) is a pathological condition that occurs when the placenta is unable to provide the fetus with enough nutrients and oxygenand therefore cannot fully support the developing child. Placental failure occurs when the placenta either does not develop properly or is damaged. This is commonly defined as a decrease in the mother’s blood supply (decreased blood flow to the uterine artery). Placental insufficiency can cause complications in pregnancy, including, for example: reduced fetal growth and pre-eclampsia. Management of placental insufficiency depends on additional tests and the individual characteristics of each pregnant woman.

Placenta superior – this problem affects 1 in 200 pregnancies. It usually does not apply to the first pregnancy. Placenta previa means that the placenta is located at the bottom rather than the top of the uterus and partially or completely covers the inner opening of the uterine canal. Placenta previa is diagnosed during an ultrasound examination in the 30-32 week of pregnancy. Its symptom is bleedingthat’s why it’s so important to see your doctor promptly when spotting occurs. The leading placenta leaves the woman hospitalized. This state requires rest. A woman cannot overexert herself, she should give up sexual activity and physical activity. It is also an indication for caesarean section. The bearing on the front wall is only in the wrong position – it functions normally, the baby grows properly.

Premature detachment of the placenta – This condition indicates that there is a placenta it has become partially or fully detached from the uterine wallbefore giving birth. Placental abruption can happen after 4 months of pregnancy. The reasons are not fully known. It can be caused by high blood pressure, pregnancy poisoning, trauma or psychological shock. Symptoms include sudden sharp pain in the womb, fainting, heavy vaginal bleeding, abnormal heart beat and dizziness. If the placenta detaches, the child dies in 30% of cases. The condition also risks serious complications for the mother. If symptoms appear, see a doctor immediately. If the degree of placental detachment is minor, the woman must be resolved. However, if the detachment is significant, a caesarean section is required.

Premature aging of the placenta – the placenta ages naturally. There are times, however, that the process progresses faster. This is often the result of poor nutrition, smoking, or high blood pressure. Premature aging of the placenta is diagnosed on ultrasound and does not show any symptoms. An aging bearing can lead to for hypoxia and malnutrition of the child. This condition requires frequent gynecological checks.

Retained placenta – If a placenta is not born within 30 minutes after birth, this is known as a retained placenta. This pathology can occur when the placenta becomes trapped behind a partially closed cervix or when it is still attached to the uterine wall – loosely (adjacent placenta) or deep (accretion placenta). If left untreated, a retained delivery bed can cause a severe or life-threatening infection.

Most placental problems do not depend on the pregnant woman and are not always preventable. However, you can take steps to promote a healthy pregnancy. For example:

  1. visit your doctor regularly throughout your pregnancy
  2. work with your doctor and midwife,
  3. follow the instructions, take medications,
  4. do not smoke,
  5. do not drink alcohol,
  6. take care of yourself and the baby.

If you had a problem with the placenta in a previous pregnancy and are planning another, talk to your doctor about ways to reduce the risk of the condition recurring. Tell your doctor if you have had uterine surgery in the past. Make sure your doctor properly monitors your pregnancy and your baby’s development.

Placental examination

During pregnancy, the condition of the placenta is assessed during checkups, especially ultrasound examinations. The following works then:

  1. position of the placenta and relation to the internal orifice of the cervix
  2. construction,
  3. placental implantation,
  4. post-placental membranes,
  5. structure (potential tumors, cysts, hematomas, aging of the placenta),
  6. echogenicity,
  7. size (too small can mean e.g. triploidy or fetal hypotrophy, too large fetal macrosomia, serological conflict or diabetes),
  8. attach the umbilical cord.

Placenta – childbirth

The bearing of the placenta usually occurs within half an hour from the time of natural birth. The delivery of the placenta can be accelerated with an injection of oxytocin. It is performed by the midwife who checks that the placenta has been completely born. The placenta is a foreign body and any remnants of the placenta can lead to infection.

During cesarean delivery, the placenta is cut from the uterine wall. In any case, there is a wound after the placenta.

Placenta – cultural significance

In Poland, the placenta after childbirth, in accordance with applicable law, is medical waste from perinatal care. According to the statutory definition by medical waste means waste generated in connection with the provision of health services and the conduct of research and scientific experiments in the field of medicine. Different cultures have different beliefs about the placenta. For example, Indonesian and Malaysian cultures consider the placenta to be the siblings of a newborn baby. In turn, according to traditional Chinese medicine, the placenta rejuvenates the body after childbirth, so it should be eaten. The practice has recently become more popular in Western culture, but remains highly controversial, largely due to the cannabalistic nature of the act. There are few scientific studies that investigate the benefits of eating the placenta, but it’s worth noting that among the several thousand species of mammals, humans are in the handful that don’t consume the placenta regularly.

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