The placenta quietly does its job, keeping your baby nourished and healthy throughout pregnancy. In fact, the placenta nourishes the baby and can rightly be called the lungs and stomach of life before birth. Let’s explore how it functions and how it affects your pregnancy.
In this article:
What Exactly Is the Placenta?
One of the temporary organs that will develop in your uterus during conception is the placenta. It attaches itself to the uterine wall and connects to the baby through the umbilical cord. During pregnancy, it grows in tandem with the baby and typically weighs between 500 grams and 1 kilogram at birth.The placenta has three main roles:
- Supplying oxygen
- Delivering nutrients
- Removing waste
- Without the placenta, your baby cannot grow or survive inside the womb.
How Does the Placenta Act Like Lungs?
The baby does not breathe; therefore, the placenta absorbs oxygen from the mother's blood and delivers it to the baby through the umbilical cord. The placenta also removes carbon dioxide, which is your baby’s waste gas.Think of it this way:
- Your lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules with the outside world.
- The placenta exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between you and the baby.
How Does the Placenta Work Like a Stomach?
Through the placenta, your baby not only gets oxygen but also nutrition to grow. So from the food you eat, the placenta absorbs protein, glucose (sugar), fats, vitamins, and minerals into the bloodstream, passing directly into your baby's circulatory system.For example:
- Calcium is for building bones and teeth.
- Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells.
- Glucose is utilised for making energy for brain development.
Why Is the Placenta So Important for Your Baby’s Development?
The placenta serves as the child’s primary source of life and sustenance. It controls the oxygen, nutrients, and hormones supplied to your child from the very first trimester until the time of birth. An improperly functioning placenta brings growth issues, low birth weight, or complications during labour.Some key points:
- By week 12, the placenta assumes full responsibility for nourishing the baby.
- From weeks 24–40, it grows rapidly to meet your baby’s increasing needs.
- A healthy placenta supports a baby who typically weighs between 2.5 and 3.5 kilograms at birth.
What Can Affect Placenta Health?
Just as lungs or the stomach can be affected by lifestyle and health issues, the placenta too can be affected by these factors. Some common risk factors include:- High blood pressure or preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Smoking or drinking alcohol
- Infections
- Advanced maternal age
What Warning Signs Should You Watch For?
Placenta problems are not always evident, but some warning signals are:- Vaginal bleeding after the first trimester
- Severe abdominal pains
- Lesser baby movements
- Persistent hypertension or swelling
How Can You Support Placenta Health During Pregnancy?
You may not have full control over the placenta, but you can definitely promote its health. Some simple ways are given below:Checklist for Placenta Care
- Eat a well-balanced diet rich in protein, iron, folic acid, and calcium.
- Avoid the use of tobacco, alcohol, or any recreational drugs.
- Regularly attend prenatal check-ups and undergo ultrasound examinations.
- Pay attention to conditions such as diabetes and hypertension under a medical professional's guidance.
- Stay hydrated and engage in moderate exercise as advised by your physician.
How Does the Placenta Affect Your Emotional and Mental Well-being?
Besides physical health, the placenta plays a role in emotional bonding. It produces hormones such as oxytocin and progesterone that help maintain pregnancy, while also preparing your body for breastfeeding and bonding with your baby.In knowing that your placenta is working hard for both of you, anxiety diminishes as a connection starts to form with your baby even before birth. Partner involvement through shared checkups, learning about diet changes, or simply talking to the baby can make this journey a smoother and more supportive experience.
When Does the Placenta Stop Working?
After birth and with the baby breathing on its own, there is no further use for the placenta. Your body delivers the placenta spontaneously in the third stage of labour. This typically occurs within approximately 5 to 30 minutes after childbirth.While at this very point its role comes to an end, the placenta accomplishes its most important mission of sustaining and nourishing the baby for nine months.
The placenta is often overlooked yet crucial to pregnancy, serving as your baby's primary source of nutrition and oxygen. It helps to transport oxygen, nutrients, and other protective substances to your growing baby so that they can continue to develop safely until birth.
Learning about how your placenta works can help you, as an expectant parent, with self-care and caring for your baby. You can give your placenta the best possible chance to do its life-saving job by practising self-care and scheduling regular check-ups with your health care provider.
Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.
FAQs on Why the Placenta Acts Like Both a Lung and a Stomach for the Baby
- Can the placenta stop working before delivery?
Yes. In some instances, factors such as preeclampsia, diabetes, or a placental abruption can impact its function. Regular check-ups can help identify concerns at the earliest possible stage. - Does what you eat directly affect the placenta?
Yes. Eating well, including protein-rich foods, iron-rich foods, folic acid, and healthy fats, is directly related to the health of the placenta and the growth of your baby.
