Placentation

The placenta begins to form at the site where the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. This process lasts for 17 weeks. During development, the placenta begins to take on an oval shape, several centimeters wide. Its weight at the end of formation is more than half a kilogram. The placenta has two sides. One of them faces the fetus and has a very smooth surface, and the other is maternal - this is the part with which it is attached to the wall of the uterus. In almost all pregnancies, the placenta is attached to the upper part of the uterus.

The placenta or baby's place performs a number of important functions. It feeds the fetus with substances supplied by the mother's blood. If there are not enough nutrients in the blood, the fetus uses the placenta to replenish them from the mother’s body. As a result, her health is impaired. Therefore, it is so important that during pregnancy a woman eats well and rationally.

In addition to nutrition, the functions of the placenta include the production of special hormones that contribute to the rapid adaptation of the woman’s body to pregnancy.

In addition, the baby's place provides the fetus with access to oxygen from the mother's blood and is responsible for metabolism. The placenta prevents the penetration of many chemicals, drugs and microorganisms into the baby's body that can harm him. However, she easily misses alcohol, nicotine and drugs, which have a very strong negative effect on the child.