Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
Placenta - An organ that connects the developing foetus to the uterine wall to allow:
Nutrient uptake
Waste elimination
Gas exchange via the mother's blood supply.
In addition to the transfer of gases and nutrients, the placenta also has metabolic
and endocrine activity. It produces, among other hormones:
Progesterone - important in maintaining the pregnancy.
Estrogen.
Somatomammotropin (also known as placental lactogen) - acts to increase the amount
of glucose and lipids in the maternal blood. This results in increased transfer of
these nutrients to the foetus and is also the main cause of the increased blood sugar
levels seen in pregnancy.
Relaxin.
Beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) ensures that progesterone and oestrogen
are secreted
Progesterone and Estrogen thicken and maintain the uterine lining as well as inhibit
the production and release of more ova (eggs).
After about 2 months the placenta takes on the role of producing progesterone and
therefore beta-hCG is no longer needed. Beta-hCG is excreted in urine and this is
what pregnancy tests detect. It also produces insulin-like growth factors (IGFs)
