The placenta plays a crucial role during pregnancy with multiple vital functions:
- Nutrient and Oxygen Transfer: It facilitates the transfer of oxygen and essential nutrients (such as glucose, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals) from the mother's blood to the fetus through the umbilical cord, supporting fetal growth and development
- Waste Removal: The placenta removes waste products like carbon dioxide, urea, and creatinine from the fetal blood, transferring them back to the mother's circulation for disposal
- Hormone Production: It produces important pregnancy hormones including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and estrogen. These hormones maintain pregnancy, prepare the mother's body for birth and breastfeeding, and regulate uterine and breast tissue changes
- Immune Protection: The placenta acts as a selective barrier, protecting the fetus from many harmful substances, pathogens, and maternal immune cells while allowing the transfer of maternal antibodies (IgG) to provide the fetus with passive immunity that lasts after birth
- Blood Supply Regulation: It remodels maternal uterine arteries to ensure adequate blood flow and optimal nutrient and oxygen delivery to the fetus throughout pregnancy
- Interface Between Mother and Fetus: The placenta enables close proximity of maternal and fetal blood without mixing, allowing efficient exchange of substances while maintaining separation of their circulations
In summary, the placenta is a temporary but highly specialized organ that supports fetal development by supplying oxygen and nutrients, removing wastes, producing hormones, and providing immune protection until birth
