Table of contents:
- What is the placenta?
- How is the placenta formed?
- How is the placenta removed by the mother's body?
- What can affect the health of the placenta?
The placenta or placenta of the baby that is removed after the baby is born has many benefits for the baby. Even the placenta greatly affects the growth and development of the baby in the womb. Placenta that is disrupted during pregnancy can have a negative impact on the growth and development of the baby, and can even cause the death of the baby in the womb. Actually, what is the placenta?
What is the placenta?
The placenta is an organ that provides oxygen and nutrients for the baby to carry out growth and development in the womb. Oxygen and nutrients are carried through the mother's bloodstream and then penetrate the placenta. From here, the umbilical cord connected to the baby carries the oxygen and nutrients for the baby. This then supports the growth and development of the baby. Through the placenta, the good nutrients that the mother consumes can be transferred to the baby, as well as the bad nutrients that the mother consumes the baby can also receive, such as alcohol and drugs.
Through the placenta too, the baby can get rid of waste substances that he does not need, such as carbon dioxide, which is then passed into the mother's bloodstream to be excreted by the system in the mother's body.
In addition, the placenta also protects the baby against germs and bacteria in the mother's body so that the baby in the womb remains healthy. The placenta is also the barrier so that the baby's cells do not enter the mother's bloodstream, so that the baby is not mistaken for foreign cells by your body.
The placenta is also an organ that produces hormones needed by you and your baby while in the womb. Some of the hormones produced by the placenta are human placental lactogen (HPL), relaxin, oxytocin, progesterone, and estrogen.
Towards the end of pregnancy, the placenta releases antibodies from the mother to be given to the baby, so the baby has immunity about 3 months after birth into the world.
How is the placenta formed?
At 3 weeks of gestation, the follicle in the ovaries (called the corpus luteum) decays, then begins to produce the hormone progesterone and provides nutrition to the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy.
At 4 weeks of gestation, the mass of cells attaches to the uterine wall. Some of the cells break away, burrowing deeper into the uterine wall. One of these cell masses is responsible for forming the placenta (a disk filled with blood vessels) which will then take over the task of the corpus luteum in the second trimester of pregnancy.
The next two months, the placenta grew and became bigger. Thus, it is able to provide more oxygen and nutrients for your baby to grow. At the 12th week of pregnancy, the placenta has complete structure and will continue to grow in size as your baby grows.
How is the placenta removed by the mother's body?
After the baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, the placenta will also be "born" by your body because it is no longer needed. Your body will still perform contractions shortly after the baby is born, which aims to push the placenta out of your body. If your body doesn't contract after the baby is born, your midwife or doctor may give you medicine to stimulate the contractions and help the placenta to pass. Stimulating contractions using medications can also prevent heavy bleeding in the mother. Breastfeeding your baby as soon as the baby is born can also help cause your uterus to contract, which can help push the placenta out.
If you gave birth by caesarean section, the doctor will also remove the placenta from your body after the baby is born. After the placenta leaves your body, the doctor or midwife will check that the placenta and membranes have all left your body, so that nothing is left and your uterus is clean again.
What can affect the health of the placenta?
The placenta is a life support for the baby while in the womb, so the baby's health also depends on the health of the placenta. Several problems can be experienced by the placenta, for example placental abruption, placenta praevia, placenta accreta, and retained placenta (retained placenta). Therefore, you as a pregnant woman must also ensure that you have a healthy placenta.
There are several factors that can affect the health of the placenta during pregnancy, such as:
- Maternal age at pregnancy. Usually mothers who are over 40 years of age at the time of pregnancy have a higher risk of developing placental problems.
- The membrane shed prematurely. During the womb, the baby is surrounded by a membrane filled with fluid (amniotic sac). If the amniotic sac bursts before the birth of the baby, the risk of developing placental problems can increase.
- High blood pressure.
- Multiple pregnancy. Multiple pregnancies can increase the risk of problems with the placenta.
- Blood clotting disorders. Conditions that interfere with the blood's ability to clot or conditions that increase the likelihood of blood clotting can increase the risk of problems with the placenta.
- Have had surgery on the uterus. The experience of having surgery on the uterus, such as a cesarean section, can increase your chances of having a problem with the placenta.
- Have had problems with the placenta.
- Substance abuse, such as smoking or substance abuse during pregnancy.
- Abdominal (abdominal) trauma. If you have experienced trauma to your abdomen, such as from a fall or have had a blow to your stomach, this will increase your risk of developing placental problems.
