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Parentpedia
Placenta
How important is the placenta during your unborn baby's development? Consider that biologists classify humans as "placental mammals" and you'll get an idea. Without it, your baby could not survive. Named from a Greek word meaning "flat cake," the placenta is attached to the uterine wall and connects to the baby through the umbilical cord, which passes through the amniotic sac.
The placenta begins developing as soon as the embryo implants, about 12 days after fertilization. The early embryo is small enough that its needs are basic and provided by the yolk sac, but as it grows and develops a vascular system, it needs more efficient ways to get nutrients to the developing baby and to take waste out, which is where the placenta comes in.
The hard-working placenta also:
- supplies antibodies to the baby, which will help him fight bacteria and viruses
- produces progesterone, among other hormones, which is important in maintaining a healthy pregnancy
- provides gas exchange (it brings oxygen to the baby and takes carbon dioxide out)
After the baby's delivery, the placenta's job is done, and you will deliver it in the third and final stage of labor. (If you have multiples, you may deliver more than one placenta.)
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