Pregnancy and the Placenta
In a pregnancy, the placenta supports the lifeline to the growing baby within the uterus. Each pregnancy creates a new placenta and is discarded after the baby leaves the womb. The number of placentas in the womb depends on the number of babies in the womb. It also depends on if they are identical or fraternal twins. In some pregnancies some problems with the placenta may occur. Some placenta complications are minor and others can be fatal.
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Function
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The placenta is more than just a fleshy tissue. It contains important blood vessels. These vessels bring life sustaining oxygen and nutrients to the baby. In addition to receiving vital nutrients, the placenta also has another function. It eliminates wastes within the sac where the baby lies. It also secretes hormones pertinent to maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Inspection
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After the baby is born the placenta, which is also known as afterbirth, departs the uterus. It is then inspected to make sure that it is whole. In some cases the placenta can break off and leave pieces still connected to the uterus. If it looks as though pieces may be missing, the doctor will need inspect the vagina and cervix for remaining pieces. If not found, the doctor will need manually sweep the uterus clean of any remaining placenta pieces.
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Expert Insight
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When it comes to multiple births, placentas differ depending upon the types of babies being created. If the uterus holds identical twins they will thrive off the same placenta. However, fraternal twins each have their own placenta. This is how they are determined as to whether they are identical or fraternal twins.
Placenta Previa
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In a pregnancy, problems with the placenta, sometimes occur. Placenta previa is one of these problems. What happens in the case of placenta previa is that the placenta has attached itself over or near the cervix. When it is attached near the placenta, there is a good chance that as the uterus grows the placenta will stretch away from the opening of the cervix. This problem may cause bleeding and should be monitored by your physician. If the placenta completely covers or even half way covers the cervix, a cesarean is required to safely deliver the baby.
Placenta Abruption
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Another problem that can occur to the placenta is called placenta abruption. Some symptoms that you may experience if you have placenta abruption during pregnancy are back pain, vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. According to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, "Placenta abruption, including any amount of placental separation prior to delivery, occurs in about one out of 150 deliveries. The severe form, which results in fetal death, occurs only in about one out of 500 to 750 deliveries."
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Resources
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