The amazing function of the placenta for fetal life

The function of the placenta is as a place of life for your baby. That is why, during pregnancy the placenta or so-called placenta plays an important role.

Most people refer to the placenta as the “brother” of the baby while in the womb because it is the placenta that keeps and protects the baby in the womb. Basically, the placenta functions more to become a support system for the survival of the fetus in the mother's womb.

The amazing function of the placenta for fetal life

Check out some of the following amazing functions of the placenta:

1. The placenta is a gland that produces hormones

During pregnancy, the placenta functions as a gland to release all the important hormones needed to help the baby grow and prepare for breastfeeding. Some of the hormones released by the placenta are: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, estrogen, and placental human lactogen. These hormones are needed to increase blood flow, stimulate the growth of the uterus and breast tissue, strengthen the lining of the uterus, and speed up the metabolism of the mother's body.

2. The placenta provides nutrition for the fetus

When you eat, your body breaks down food and protein into the bloodstream. So during pregnancy, the nutrients carried through the mother's bloodstream will flow to the placenta. Through the umbilical cord connected to the baby, this nutrient intake will be transferred directly to the fetus.

This is what the baby feeds during pregnancy, which supports its growth and development. That is why it is very important for mothers to pay attention to nutritional and nutritional intake during pregnancy.

3. The placenta protects the baby from infection

Before giving birth, the baby gets antibodies through the placenta. Antibodies help provide immune system protection for the early life of a baby. In some situations, the placenta can help protect the fetus from infection while it is in the uterus. If the mother has a bacterial infection, the placenta helps protect the baby from these bacterial infections. However, in some cases of serious viral infections, the placenta may not provide effective protection.

4. The placenta filters out harmful substances

Other functions of the placenta in babies act like kidneys, namely filtering the blood to remove harmful substances and waste substances that are not needed. For example carbon dioxide, which is then passed into the mother's bloodstream to be excreted by the system in the mother's body.

5. The placenta acts as the lungs

The placenta serves to provide 100 percent of the baby's oxygen needs. Just as your body provides oxygen to all organs and tissues through the bloodstream, your body will also deliver oxygen to the baby through the placenta. The placenta transfers the oxygen needed by the baby to the baby's umbilical cord to flow into the baby's bloodstream. So when you breathe, you are also breathing for your little one.