When it comes to pregnancy, the placenta plays a crucial role. It’s a unique organ that your body develops alongside your baby, acting as a vital link for your little one’s needs. While you might have a general understanding of this remarkable structure, you may wonder: When does the placenta actually form, and what are its functions?
Your healthcare provider will monitor both your baby and the placenta throughout your pregnancy, as they are closely connected. To help you understand this essential organ better, let’s delve into placental development.
What Is the Placenta?
The placenta is a temporary organ that develops within your uterus during pregnancy. According to medical sources, it supplies oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby while also removing waste products. Essentially, it serves as a lifeline between your baby and your blood supply.
The placenta has two components: the fetal placenta (chorion frondosum) and the maternal placenta (decidua basalis). These parts develop from the same blastocyst that forms both the baby and the uterine tissue.
When Does the Placenta Form?
To grasp when the placenta forms, let’s review the entire process. After ovulation, an egg leaves the ovary and travels through the fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized. If that happens, the fertilized egg, now called a zygote, begins cell division. This process continues as it travels to the uterus, where it transforms into a blastocyst. Some cells in the blastocyst begin forming the placenta, while others contribute to the development of the fetus, leading to implantation in the endometrium.
By the end of the eighth week post-fertilization (or around ten weeks of pregnancy), the embryo is classified as a fetus. At this stage, the placenta has formed and is actively developing. By 18 to 20 weeks, it is fully formed but continues to grow throughout your pregnancy. By the time you reach 34 weeks, the placenta is deemed “mature.”
When Does the Placenta Take Over?
The placenta is responsible for several critical functions, including hormone production and nutrient delivery. It typically takes over these responsibilities between eight to twelve weeks into the pregnancy, with the average being around ten weeks.
What Is Anterior Placenta?
The term “anterior placenta” refers to the placement of the placenta in the uterus. Generally, the fertilized egg attaches to the back of the uterus, closer to the spine. However, when it grows on the front, your baby is positioned behind it. This is not harmful for you or your baby, but it may make it harder for you to feel movements or for your doctor to hear the heartbeat.
Possible Placental Complications
While the placenta usually attaches to the uterine wall without issue, complications can arise:
- Placenta previa: The placenta grows in the lower part of the womb, potentially covering the cervix.
- Placental abruption: The placenta detaches from the uterine wall.
- Placenta accreta: The placenta embeds too deeply into the uterine wall.
- Calcified placenta: Calcium deposits build up on the placenta.
- Anterior placenta: A variation where the placenta attaches to the front of the uterus.
- Placental insufficiency: The placenta fails to provide sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
Your obstetrician will monitor the health and position of your placenta throughout your pregnancy, alerting you to any potential concerns as needed.
What Is the Amniotic Sac?
The amniotic sac is a thin membrane that encases the fetus and is part of the placenta. It consists of two layers: the inner amnion, which holds the amniotic fluid and fetus, and the outer chorion. This sac protects the baby and helps regulate temperature. Initially, the amniotic fluid contains water from the mother, but it later includes the baby’s urine as it grows.
The Benefits of Eating Your Placenta
Some women choose to consume their placenta after childbirth, believing it offers numerous health benefits. Although scientific evidence supporting these claims is lacking, advocates suggest it may help reduce postpartum depression, boost energy and milk supply, and assist with postpartum bleeding. If you’re interested, you can prepare it in various ways, such as cooking, making pills, or blending it into smoothies.
For more insights into home insemination and pregnancy, you can visit this link or check out resources like Make a Mom for trusted information. Additionally, Resolve provides excellent guidance on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Understanding the placenta’s formation and roles can enhance your pregnancy knowledge and help you navigate your journey to motherhood. With monitoring from your healthcare provider, you can stay informed about this vital organ’s development and any potential complications.
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