Placenta: Overview, Significance, and Maternal Health Implications

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the placenta, emphasizing its crucial role in pregnancy. It details the placenta's functions, including nutrient and oxygen exchange, and hormone production (oestrogen, progesterone, and lactogen), along with the production of Human Chorionic gonadotropin. The report highlights the significance of the placenta in ensuring a safe environment for fetal development and its role in providing passive immunity through antibody transfer. Furthermore, the report mentions the importance of maternal health practices, such as healthy eating, and avoiding smoking and drinking. The report also references relevant literature on the placenta, including Burton and Jauniaux (2015), Maltepe and Fisher (2015), and Morgan (2016).

Overview of Placenta: This is an important
organ which gets developed during the
pregnancy on temporary basis. It is that organ
or attachment to the uterus's wall for
exchange of nutrients and oxygen between
foetus and mother's womb. It is mostly
located at the top side and is connected to the
umbilical cord.
Functional characteristics: It is crucial in
providing a safe environment for the overall
development of growing foetus into baby.
This is the pathway of a support system which
consists of both placenta and umbilical cord.
It accelerates the production of Human
Chorionic gonadotropin, a necessary hormone
to maintain the mother's health in stable
manner. Along with, it produces hormones
like oestrogen, progesterone and lactogen.
Moreover, it prevents the mixing of maternal
and foetal blood.
Significance: Presence of placenta gives
passive immunity since crossing of antibodies
is easier to protect from any pathogens for
shorter duration. Healthy food habits and
quitting smoking or drinking help in
maintaining the high blood pressure of
mothers.
First-time parents: They must understand
the contribution of placenta as it plays vital
role in protecting the mother and baby from
any lifelong health issues like gestational
diabetes, premature birth etc. Moreover, it
lays emphasis on new treatments for health
improvements and gives knowledge about
other issues.
REFERENCES
Burton, G.J. and Jauniaux, E., 2015. What is
the placenta?. American journal of obstetrics

and gynecology. 213(4). pp.S6-e1.
Maltepe, E. and Fisher, S.J., 2015. Placenta:
the forgotten organ. Annual review of cell and
developmental biology. 31. pp.523-552.
Morgan, T.K., 2016. Role of the placenta in
preterm birth: a review. American journal of
perinatology, 33(03). pp.258-266.