Understanding The Placenta
- Posted on 05 July, 2018
- Medium Hair
- By Anonymous
This video provides a visual explanation of the function of the placenta and how it works to support the growth and development of the fetus.
*CORRECTION* The antibodies that cross the placenta in recurrent genital herpes do not provide 100% protection to the fetus and there is still a risk of passing on the infection. This video is for education only, not medical advice. Follow the advice of your midwife / obstetrician.
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Hi, this is tom from zero to finance comm. I wanted to make a video today on the function of the placenta and trying to understand exactly how it works to support the fetus while it's growing, so, firstly, we got to take a basic look at the placenta. We all know that the baby comes along with an umbilical cord and down that cord. You have two umbilical arteries and they carry deoxygenated blood away from the baby. And then you have one umbilical vein and that carries all the good oxygenated blood. That'S full of nutrients away from the placenta and into the baby inside the placenta. You have a bit of a complex network of arteries and veins, but they're quite simple. Once you get your head around them. First of all, you have the maternal vein and artery inside the placenta, and these veins and arteries feed into something called the interval of space. And what this is is basically pools of maternal blood. A form sort of like a lake in which lots of maternal blood is collected just sitting there waiting to interact with the fetal blood. Now you have the umbilical arteries in the umbilical veins that penetrate and form a sort of tree like structure within the interval space. So inside those pools of blood and the maternal blood and fetal blood don't actually mix, but they come in very close contact across a thin membrane and that's known as the placental membrane. So, across this placental membrane, lots of things can transfer or diffuse from the maternal blood into the fetal blood and vice versa, and it's this process of diffusion that forms much of the function of the placenta. Let'S look at the first function of the placenta and that's the respiratory function, though, because the baby can't actually breathe it's in a big bath of amniotic fluid. It needs to rely on the placenta to basically act like a pair of lungs. So what does it do? Well, firstly, oxygen needs to transfer from the maternal blood into the fetal blood and the way it does this is fetal. Hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen than maternal hemoglobin. What this means is, if you put a molecule of maternal or adult hemoglobin next to a molecule, fetal hemoglobin oxygen will actively transfer from the maternal hemoglobin to the fetal hemoglobin, just think of the fetal hemoglobin as being more sticky for the oxygen more attractive for the Oxygen. The second respiratory function is that the carbon dioxide - that's present in the fetal blood, all of this waste carbon dioxide, that's generated by the fetus, simply diffuses across the placental membrane, from the fetal blood into this pool of maternal blood. That way, the baby can get rid of a lot of the carbon dioxide that it's created. The next function is an excretion function, and you can think of this as the placenta acting a bit like a kidney that you'd find in an adult. So what it does is it balances out a lot of the chemicals and molecules that need to be balanced in the blood things like bicarbonate, hydrogen, ions, lactic, acid, urea and creatinine. They can all diffuse across the placental membrane and balance out the baby's blood. In the same way that a kidney would do in an adult, the next function of the placenta would be the nutrition function, so the baby can't actually eat any food while it's in the womb, so it relies on the mum to eat and create carbohydrates and micronutrients That circulate around the mums blood and then these diffuse across the placental membrane, into the fetal blood and provide the fetus with oxygen and vitamins and micronutrients that it needs to grow. This is one reason it's so important that the mom doesn't become nutrient deficient in say iron or folate or b12 during her pregnancy. So if we find that she's deficient we'd supplement her with these, the fourth function of the placenta is the immunity function now antibodies that the mother has created her immunity to infections that she's picked up in the past. Those antibodies can actually cross the placental membrane and into the fetus, and this is really good news, because it protects the baby during the pregnancy, from any viruses or bugs that the mum might pick up and also protects the baby shortly after birth. So a really good example of this would be of recurrent genital herpes, where the mum has had genital herpes several times in the past. She'Ll, have i GG antibodies to that virus so when she gives birth naturally, even if she has active genital herpes, they won't be passed to the baby, because all of those antibodies will have cross the placenta and will be circulating inside the fetus ready to protect it. Whenever it comes into contact with that virus in the newborn period and the final function of the placenta that we need to mention is the endocrine function. This is where the placental tissue itself actually creates hormones that help to maintain the pregnancy. The first hormone that we should mention is human chorionic, gonadotropin or HCG. This hormone is secreted increasing levels throughout the pregnancy by the cells of the placenta and what it does is it helps to maintain the corpus luteum until the placenta takes over producing other hormones that maintain the pregnancy. The next home, when the placenta produces is East region, and this is important to make everything soft and supple all of the tissues of the uterus and pelvis, so that they can get stretched during the pregnancy and during birth and delivery. And the final hormone that their placenta produces is progesterone and it produces progesterone from about five weeks onwards. And the whole point of progesterone is to maintain the pregnancy and keep the uterus, nice and relaxed and to keep the endometrium nice and healthy and well profused. So that it's got a great blood supply for the BLA Center and for the fetus and that pretty much sums up the respiratory, excretion nutrition, immunity and endocrine functions of the placenta. So thanks for watching, I hope you found this video helpful. If you did don't forget, there's plenty of other resources on the zero to finals website, including loads and loads of notes on various different topics that you might cover in medical school with specially made illustrations, there's also a whole test section where you can find loads of Questions to test your knowledge and see where you're up to in preparation for your exams, there's also a blog, where I share a lot of my ideas about a career in medicine and tips on how to have success as a doctor. And if you want to help me out on YouTube, you can always leave me a thumbs up. Give me a comment or even subscribe to the channel so that you can find out when the next videos are coming out. So I'll see you again soon.
Comments
P Bina Raj: Excellent explanation for any layman. I'm not a medical student but I'm pregnant and want to educate myself about pregnancy completely inside out. So, thank you very much for this video
Gabby Cook: I am pregnant and wanted to educate myself more so this was perfect! Very clear and I love the visuals.
Yasmine Sarah: I'm a student midwife and this was so helpful for my learning :) Great explanations and easy to understand, thank you! :)
devika s.: Thank you so much! This really helped in my school notes and overall understanding of the functions of the placenta. My conclusion is that it technically serves as a life support system.
Ambreen Ahlam Dlmc 09: I always trust zero to final videos as my last minute prep. Thank you a lot ❤
Brent Dams: Placenta produces a couple more hormones: -human placenta lactogen (hPL): stimulating mammae -human placenta growthhormon (hPGH) -crotictrophin-releasingfactor (CRF): stimulating ACTH production hypofysis But overall a very good video!!
MI: Regarding recurrent HSV2: The virus isn't actually flowing through the bloodstream, but is lying dormant in the dorsal root ganglia. This only becomes relevant to the pregnancy if the mom is having a flare-up (i.e. open sores) on her genitals when birth is imminent. In this case, C-section is done and there are no issues.
Lynx Majic: Thank you immensely! I was looking for something just like this, simple to understand but with plenty of information. :)
Bukanah Holly: You're an amazing teacher! I just love how you simplify your explanations and the illustrations. Thank you and more grace to you!
Kai Kershaw: This is very easy to understand and the visual representation is very useful, this is a really good source for anyone learning about this
Raquel Alexandra: Thank you, i loved it :) very well explained, simple and complete.
C ME: You’re explanation is very down to earth, very helpful
Christian Terrill: So interesting I'm having a baby boy and my wife and I were wondering exactly what is going on. Thanks for the info!
ROHAN KUNDU: it helped recapitulate all that we learned in 1st year of med school and everything we forgot along the way . Thanks .
Todd Rosen: Really nice explanation of what the placenta does. Can you tell me what software you used to generate your presentation? Thank you!
Lepopotwane M: Thank you so much for this video. It really helped clear my confusion on the placenta❤️
D M: Great video, very clear and precise, I loved it!
Lepopotwane M: Thank you so much for this video. It really helped clear my confusion on the placenta❤️
Ricaela Stieben: Amazing video!! So explicit and yet simple
Rosalyn Jordan -Hill: Hi. This is a great video. I am a nursing student it was very helpful! (Thanks for making this video)
Mekdi_Mama: Thank you..We are eternally grateful for your lecture❤
Jo Mosley: Thanks so much, my daughter (age 38 1st pregnancy) has been told she has a grade ll calcification of her placenta at 28 weeks and I needed to learn the functions of the placenta as I continue my research. The info so far has been contradictory but I’ll get to the prognosis and any interventions that may be helpful. Logic tells me she should immediately stop her calcium supplement but her dr says no. How can an excess of calcium, especially if her D3 is low ( we will get her bloodwork Monday ), not be a contributor? A dr should not say it isn’t a contributing factor and in the next few sentences say the literature show some possible correlations with other gestational issues and smoking, but they really don’t know the cause. Since she has none and doesn’t smoke, how can we rule out too much calcium in her blood contributing to early calcification. I have not seen the diagnostic sonogram to compare with those I’ve seen on placental grading yet. My daughter is freaked out, worried that she will either deliver too early and have to leave the baby at the hospital for who knows how long, especially since we live 40 miles from the hospital, or that she will have a stillborn. The internet is both a blessing and a curse. Again, thanks for the video. Sorry for the spew... I guess I needed to get that out. Onward toward the solutions to both, halt the calcification (vitamin K2 is known to reverse calcification) and my daughter’s fear.
Jamie M: My baby is 24 weeks gestational age and she was wondering about her cushy pillow that she's connected to. I played this and put it up against my belly. I think it cleared things up for her, thanks!
Turtley: Thanks so much for this video. My blood is rhesus b negative and so I have had Anti D at 28 weeks. I understand from your video that maternal and fetal blood can diffuse across the placenta membrane but would this happen in our case or would my body make antibodies against the baby?
Caroline McGreal: Very clear and simple to understand, and i love your calm tone of voice, thank you for doing these videos.
Nourelhouda Labed: I really congratulate you. I'm about to finish studies as a gynecologist in french language. I wanna learn english soon and apply it on medecine too. Your videos are really helping. Best wishes for you and continue providing us with everything new!
Dr.charishma 1120: Very detailed and quick explanation.thank you doc
Salomo Albertinah: As a medical student, i find this reliable. This page has so much things for medical students to learn from and for those ones want to educate themselves about health. I recommend this page.
DANIEL Navarro: Very interesting. Many of my questions were answered. Good stuff.
jindagi live: Thank you so much sir. I learned a lot today
SuperstarPotential Shikiara: My water broke at 14weeks and I have no fluid due to my ruptured membrane so I asked the the high risk assistant examining my baby how does she gain weight because she shocked me at how fast she’s been growing over these few weeks which I’m so thankful and blessed. She stated “ well the baby needs fluid to grow properly so it’s not what you eat” now watching this video I’ve learned not only was that not true but they really try to shut any possibility of the baby being thriving in situations like mines. This video makes me feel a lot better knowing the facts of how my placenta actually works. Love this video.
Sana Shaikh: You are doing justice to your channel name. I came here with zero info and leaving with 100% confidence. It was really helpful though, as my finals are approaching within 2 months and I am blank rn:( P.S., Your way of teaching is amazing. Simplified and to the point. Keep up the good work (: Also, your voice is amazing;)
Faria Tasnim: Thank you! It was really helpful!
Majood B: This channel is absolutely amazing! Straight forward information!
Nissi Esli: Really helps me as a pharmacist. Thank you !!
Ms. Danee G. Cordero: Thank you for this wonderful video. This will help me at my study. I am midwifery student.
Daw Khin Lay Maw: Very good explanation. So, thank you so much.
Angelica Contreras: Excelente información! Buen compendio. Gracias
Hua Li: Thx for the amazing explanation, just about to have a test on placenta functions and development
sakthi pradeepa V: Great explanation
Kirubendran Tharmalingam: Hi seems like the podcasts on Obstetrics are very less, please do them aswell , thank you so much for the great notes and vocalizations.
Monika N Petrus: Thanks your explanation is helpful and understadable..,.thumbs up!
Kelechi Favour: Thank u so much Sir..learnt alot from the video.
Marla Massouh: Thank you that was helpful ♥️
Herry: Great video....clear my concepts and doubts ....thnx for sharing
Sokinah Nasser: One of the best videos .. Stay blessed and keep going
Melancholia Bitch: Amazing lecture thanks
Carolina Paredes Psicologia y Danza: Love it!! Super Clear!
mimi loula: This is a perfect explanations thnx a lot
Elizabeth: Awesome explanations.
Enasa Jackson: Oh MY! I GREATLY appreciate you, I'm so glad I found you! I KNOW you are a teacher I will do well with! HAPPY teaching!!!
HeyItsSimona X: Thank you for your info
Medico_Learners👩⚕️🏥🩺: Osm Explanation .... This channel is vry helpful...
x._.y: Thankyou so much. It was a lot of help. ♥
gulshan kawatra: Thanks it's great explanation
Mohammed Safwan Al Hasan: thanks for the concise info!
sinovuyo mtyenene: wow how you made something complicated to sound soo easy amazing
Avijit Sarker: I like Your way of explanation....Thank you
Birgit Mitchell: I have herpes simplex 1 &2 and my son was born with 100% antibodies against herpesvirus. So if the antibodies cross ..it can obviously be a good thing .
Mekdi_Mama: This is soo superb❤
M B: Thank you! Great video.
TheInnominato IDK: THANKS really useful explanation
Louis Spaletta: good job man !! thanks !!
Sierrah Max: Thank You, that was a really awesome video. Very good interesting. Have a great day !
Sangulusko Gondwe: It was super helpful
Donna Smith: Great video, Thank you.
Tazeem Mughal: Very informative
niraj rajpurohit: Thank you for the video ♥️
Jibrail muhmed: this helped alot thank you
marios mouratai: I would add the production of placental lactogen, to the endocrine part!
Tiro Mosahi: Amazing video❤️
Banu Gunawardana: As a science student ,isee it really healpfull. Indeed good explenation!
Meri Kahani: It is Really helpful vdo for exams.
Mariam Mahmoud: Amazing video thanks so much
juan c. cutrin: excellent. thanks!
MOHSEN AKHAVAN: Thank you very much. Deeply Appreciated,
NZ Tech: Love the explanation brother keep uploading love from india
Ishav Sethi: Nice video, can you tell me what softwares and hardware was used in making of this video. Like the animation/ drawing software, recording software, editing software etc :D
Vanshaj Rai: Thank you so much :D
Gaz K: How long it takes for the food eaten by pregnant lady to be transformed to fetus through placenta?
daniel mulualem: Thanks it is great explanation
Nqobile Conscious: What about Hiv, can the placenta protects the baby from being infected with the virus?
wellwisher vaidya: It's was really helpful... Thnks
Linnéa Idh Lundgren: My question is, if i have heard only the placenta swooshing pulse, it is enough to know the fetus is alive? Is there anyone who was checking with a fetoscope and there was a dead fetus, lacking any fetal heart tones, but still heard the placental swish? My other question is of the vein has the same pulse as the mother and the arteries have the same pulse as the fetus?
ravi ravi: Thanks you so much sir
Ole Aure: Omg why I didnt find you before !! This is very helpful woow thank you so mutch ❤❤
Pooja Saud: Excellent ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Mohammed Asadi: The miracle of life!
dubbyrankin: That is amazing
Zetsuke4: Great channel I subscribed
Ryan: He sounds like the Headspace guy, and I'm so relaxed now
Saro saroo: easy to understand
Natasha Letourneau: This was great
Justine - GO: If the immune system of the mother crosses the placenta, why doesn't it attack the baby? Isn't it considered as a foreign body?
Maruf maruf: Plz Bangali sub title on your vedeo class.please please sir❤️❤️❤️❤️
Lemi Townsend: I am interested in being a midwife so thst is why i am watching this❤
Maira Saha: Thank you so much
Madyson Nofsinger: Thank you!
Kunci Hidup: what program did you used to make this video? Animation or some aplication?
Aljoh Hosea: Thanks