What does the placenta do?

The placenta is an extremely complex piece of biological equipment. A little bit like an artificial kidney (dialysis machine), it allows your blood and the baby''s to come into very close contact without ever mixing. This enables your blood to pass across nutrients and oxygen to the baby, and waste products like carbon dioxide to go back from baby to mother. It acts as the lung, kidney and digestive system for the baby. It also produces hormones that are necessary to maintain the pregnancy, such as oestrogen and progesterone.

How the placenta works
Where the placenta adheres to the womb wall, it consists of very fine blood vessels that contain fetal blood. These are enveloped by pools of the mother''''s blood and this is where fluids, nutrients, and gases are exchanged.

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I'm 10 weeks pregnant but don't look pregnant yet. When will the 'bump' start to show?
I'm 3 months pregnant and am experiencing no breast enlargement-is there something wrong?
I am having the most vivid disturbing dreams since getting pregnant, is this usual?
Is it normal for my clothes to be tight around my tummy so early in pregnancy?
Does pregnancy have an effect on my brain and memory?
What are the red spidery lines on my legs, and will they go away?
Since becoming pregnant, I seem to suffer with constipation. Why?
I fainted this morning, for the first time. Is this because I am pregnant?
Is it because I''m pregnant that I seem to be having hot flushes?
I am suffering badly at the moment with cramp, particularly in my calves, Is this normal?
I seem to be constantly itching since getting pregnant, is there something wrong?
Can I do anything to prevent stretchmarks?
What are 'hormones'?
My breasts seem to have a life of their own, so big, so sore, why so soon?
What are the normal changes I should be expecting in my breasts?
My skin is really spotty. Why?
Why do I sometimes feel light-headed when I breathe quickly?
Is it normal to be short of breath in pregnancy?
What are stretch marks, and when do they occur?
I am only 22 weeks pregnant and already have stretch marks around my breasts, why is this, and will they get worse?
My skin seems to change colour and look patchy, is this OK?
Where does all the extra blood go?
I am half way through pregnancy and my hair feels different; some of it is falling out in my hands-is this normal?
Is it neccessary to wear ''maternity clothes''?
I'm only midway through my pregnancy; why are the palms of my hands red and feel as if they are burning?
Why do my knees and other joints seem wobbly?
Does my heart have to work harder when I get pregnant?
I have sugar in my urine, why?
Why do all my joints, especially in my legs and pelvis, ache when I put pressure on them?
Is it due to being pregnant that I seem to be having hot flushes?
I am only 22 weeks pregnant and already have stretch marks around my breasts, why is this, and will they get worse?
My doctor said that my being pregnant leaves me more at risk of infections, is this true?
My body feels like its got a mind of its own. I have all sorts of little things bothering me. Is this normal or am I unwell?
My skin is like teenage skin since I've become pregnant; I can't get rid of the zits. What is safe to use on my skin?
I am five weeks pregnant and initially had very sore breasts but now they aren't sore at all...is this OK?
I'm 35 weeks and my skin feels really dry and itchy-is this normal?
What is normal weight gain in pregnancy and when you should start gaining weight?
Is it normal to have very sore nipples during pregnancy?
I am 4 months pregnant, my bump doesn't seem to be growing at all and I don't feel very pregnant. I'm worried in case it is a missed miscarriage. How can I know?
Is it possible that you can have a period while pregnant?
I'm 32 weeks and keep getting a pain in my bottom and down my legs-it's so uncomfortable. Not sure if it's the way baby lying?
When during the pregnancy can you start to produce milk?
My belly button is really sore and red. What could be causing this?
Does every woman have to suffer from morning sickness, salivating and constant visits to the toilet in early pregnancy?
Im 18 weeks with my first baby and have started to leak colostrum. But from one nipple, it's black and not clear. Is this normal?
What is considered normal blood pressure during preganancy?
I have just been told that my platelet level is slightly high. What does this mean for me and my baby?
I'm 36 weeks pregnant and been having hair loss from the minute I got pregnant. Its so depressing-is it normal? And my hair texture's changes from thick to limp and thin.
Please explain why I should have pain in the pubic bone at 26 weeks.
At how many months do you start looking pregnant?
How far on in the pregnancy are you when you get morning sickness?
I am 18 weeks and I haven't felt my baby move yet. Could there be something wrong?
I'm 34 weeks pregnant, why has the skin of my neck got so dark?

What does the placenta do?

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