The placenta plays a crucial role in pregnancy. It’s an organ that forms in your uterus alongside your developing baby, acting as a comprehensive support system for their needs. While you may be familiar with the basics of this remarkable organ, you might still have questions. Specifically, when does the placenta form, and what does it actually do?
Your healthcare provider will monitor both your baby and the placenta throughout your pregnancy, as they are intricately connected. To help you understand this essential organ, let’s break down the details of placental development.
What is the placenta?
The placenta is a temporary organ created during pregnancy. As noted by the Mayo Clinic, it “supplies oxygen and nutrients to your developing baby and eliminates waste products.” Essentially, it serves as a lifeline between your baby and your bloodstream.
The placenta consists of two parts: the fetal placenta (chorion frondosum) and the maternal placenta (decidua basalis). These components arise from the same blastocyst that forms your baby and the uterine tissue.
When does the placenta form?
To grasp when the placenta develops, it’s helpful to review the timeline of pregnancy. After ovulation, an egg is released from the ovary and travels through the fallopian tube, ideally getting fertilized. This fertilized egg, or zygote, begins to divide and eventually becomes a blastocyst. As it reaches the uterus, some cells begin forming the placenta while others develop into the fetus during implantation.
By the end of the eighth week of fertilization (or about ten weeks into your pregnancy), the embryo transitions into a fetus. At this stage, the placenta has begun to grow and develop. It fully forms by 18 to 20 weeks but continues to evolve throughout the pregnancy. By 34 weeks, the placenta is deemed “mature.”
When does the placenta take over?
The placenta has several vital functions, including hormone production and nutrient delivery. Typically, it takes over these responsibilities between eight to twelve weeks of pregnancy, with an average around ten weeks.
What is placenta anterior?
Placenta anterior refers to the positioning of the placenta within the uterus. Usually, the fertilized egg attaches to the back of the uterus, nearer to the spine. However, if the placenta grows on the front, your baby will be positioned behind it. Don’t worry—this placement doesn’t affect your baby negatively. It may, however, muffle your ability to feel your baby’s movements, as the placenta acts as a cushion.
What are some potential placental complications?
While most pregnancies proceed smoothly, some complications can arise with the placenta. Here are a few disorders to be aware of:
- Placenta previa: This occurs when the placenta is positioned low in the womb, covering part or all of the cervix.
- Placental abruption: This is when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall prematurely.
- Placenta accreta: This condition involves the placenta embedding too deeply into the uterine wall.
- Calcified placenta: This occurs when calcium deposits accumulate on the placenta.
- Anterior placenta: This is simply a variation where the placenta attaches to the front of the uterus, which is typically not problematic.
- Placental insufficiency: This happens when the placenta cannot supply enough oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, necessitating monitoring.
Your healthcare provider will regularly check the health and position of your placenta, alerting you to any issues that may arise.
What is an amniotic sac?
The amniotic sac is a thin membrane that encases the fetus and is part of the placenta. Composed of two layers, the inner amnion holds the amniotic fluid and fetus, while the outer chorion surrounds the amnion. This sac protects the baby from harm and helps maintain a stable temperature. Initially, the amniotic fluid is composed of water from the mother, but it later includes the baby’s urine. This sac also contains nutrients, hormones, and antibodies.
What are the benefits of consuming my placenta?
Some women choose to consume their placentas, believing there are health benefits associated with it. Although these claims lack scientific backing, some women assert that eating the placenta can help prevent postpartum depression, enhance mood and energy levels, and support milk production. If you’re curious about this practice, you can cook it, consume it raw, encapsulate it, or blend it into a smoothie.
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Summary:
The placenta is an essential organ that forms during pregnancy, serving as the connection between a mother and her growing baby. It develops from the time of fertilization and plays critical roles in nutrient delivery and waste removal. Although most pregnancies progress without issues, potential complications can occur, necessitating regular monitoring by healthcare providers. Some women may even choose to consume their placenta post-birth, believing in its health benefits despite the lack of scientific evidence.