Recognize the importance of placental function during pregnancy

The placenta is one of three main organs, in addition to the umbilical cord and amniotic fluid, whose main function is to assist fetal growth. The new placenta is formed when a woman goes through the process of pregnancy.

In the normal position, the placenta attaches to the upper or lateral uterine wall and is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord. The function of the placenta for the fetus is very important. Therefore, if there is interference with this organ, fetal safety and maternal health can be disrupted.

Placental function during pregnancy

Placental function is the source of fetal life. The placenta receives blood flow, oxygen, and necessary nutrients. Important component of the placenta, enter the fetus through the umbilical cord.

To be clear, this is the importance of placental function that you need to know about.

1. As a source of nutrition for babies

The placenta is a place of exchange of blood between mother and fetus. Fetal blood, which contains metabolic waste that is not needed by the body, will be carried by small blood vessels to the placenta.

In the placenta, there is also maternal blood. The rest of the fetal metabolism will then be transferred to the mother's blood and released by the mother's body.

Conversely, maternal blood entering the placenta is blood that contains a lot of oxygen and nutrients essential for fetal growth. Nutrition and oxygen will then be transferred to the fetal blood vessels.

2. Produces pregnancy hormones

Another important function of the placenta is that this organ also produces hormones related to pregnancy, such as estrogen, progesterone, and hCG. These hormones play a role in fetal growth and development.

3. Protect the fetus from bacteria

The placenta also protects the fetus against bacterial infections. Although it can protect the fetus from most types of bacteria, the placenta cannot protect the fetus from viral infections.

Alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs can also enter the placenta and cause health problems in the fetus.

4. Give antibodies to the baby

At the end of pregnancy, the placenta reduces the mother's antibodies to the baby she is carrying. These antibodies can provide immunity in infants up to three months of age.

What happens to the placenta after birth?

After birth, the placenta has no role in the body. In women who give birth normally (vaginally), the placenta will come out about 5 to 30 minutes after giving birth. This process of removing the placenta is called the third stage of labor.

After the baby is born successfully, the mother will continue to experience mild contractions. After that, the mother will be asked to push the placenta out. To simplify the process of discharge of the placenta, your doctor or midwife can massage your stomach.

In addition, oxytocin injection can also be used to trigger the discharge of the placenta.
If the work is done by caesarean section, the doctor will remove the placenta at the time of surgery.

After delivery, all parts of the placenta must be removed from the body. If not, the risk of bleeding and infection can occur.

How to maintain the health of the placenta

The function of the placenta can work well if you take the right steps to maintain their health. One of the most important things for proper functioning of the placenta is checking your uterus regularly with your doctor.

In addition, you must follow the steps below to maintain placental function.

Tell your doctor about a history of placental disorders in a previous pregnancy or if you have had uterine surgery.
Do not smoke, consume alcoholic beverages and consume illegal drugs during pregnancy.
Always talk to your doctor before taking certain medicines, including herbal medicines, supplements, and over-the-counter medicines that you can buy at the pharmacy.
Discuss it with your doctor if you experience severe back and stomach pain, vaginal bleeding, contractions and collisions in the abdomen.

Factors Affecting the Health and Function of the Placenta

Several factors can affect the health and function of the placenta during pregnancy, including the following.

• mother's age

Maternal age can also be a risk factor that affects the health of the placenta. The older the mother's age, especially after age 40, the greater the risk of placental disorders.

• amniotic health

In the womb, the baby is in the amniotic sac that contains fluid or amniotic fluid. If membrane rupture or seepage occurs when it is not the time to give birth, the risk of interference with the placenta will increase.

• blood pressure

High blood pressure can affect the health of the mother and the fetus it contains. One of them can increase the risk of impaired placental function.

• Number of babies conceived

Pregnant twins can increase the risk of placental abnormalities.

• History of health problems

Blood clotting disorders are one of the health problems that can affect placental function. If you have had a placental abnormality during a previous pregnancy, your risk of experiencing the same thing will also be higher.

• Operation history

If you have had operations on the uterus, such as a cesarean section, or surgery to remove fibroids, the risk of placental disorders is increased.

Placental disorders that may occur

Once the importance of placental function, so that interference can endanger the mother and fetus. Here are the three most common planenta interruptions that you need to know about.

1. Placenta previa

Praevia is a condition of the placenta when the placenta is positioned too far down, so it can cover all or part of the cervix in the birth of a baby. Placental position can change with gestational age.

However, if the placental position does not change during delivery, the doctor will perform a cesarean section to safely remove the baby.

Placenta previa can also cause vaginal bleeding before and during labor.

2. Abruptio placenta

In placental abruption, the placenta must be fully attached to the uterine wall, even partially or not at all attached to the uterine wall.

This disease is the most common cause of death in fetuses and newborns. Placental ablation can also trigger premature labor and fetal growth disorders.

3. Placenta accreta

Placenta accreta is an abnormal attachment to the placenta. In this condition, the placenta can actually attach to the muscles of the uterine wall or even to other organs around the uterus.

This disorder can cause severe bleeding and endanger the mother and fetus.

By recognizing the function of the placenta and its role during pregnancy, it should make you more introspective in maintaining the health of this organ. In this way, pregnancy is expected to be better and healthier.