The placenta is a temporary organ that develops in pregnancy where the embryo implants in the uterine wall. At term it is a disc about 20 cm across and 500 g in weight, attached to the baby by the umbilical cord. It lets oxygen, nutrients and waste pass between mother and baby without their blood mixing.
| Location | Attached to the inner wall of the uterus, usually the upper body or fundus, during pregnancy |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Blood Supply | Spiral arteries (maternal, from the uterine arteries); Umbilical arteries (fetal, paired) |
| Venous drainage |
|
Exchanges oxygen, nutrients, waste and antibodies between mother and fetus, and produces hormones such as hCG, progesterone and oestrogen that sustain pregnancy.
Placental problems underlie many serious pregnancy complications. A placenta lying over the cervix (placenta praevia) causes painless bleeding and needs caesarean delivery, while early separation (abruption) causes painful bleeding and can endanger mother and baby. Poor placental development is linked to pre-eclampsia and restricted fetal growth. After birth, the placenta is checked to make sure none is retained, since retained tissue causes haemorrhage.
A placenta implanted low in the uterus, covering or near the cervix, causing painless bleeding in later pregnancy.
Premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, causing pain, bleeding and fetal distress.
Abnormally deep attachment of the placenta into or through the myometrium, risking severe bleeding at delivery.
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