Placenta: How it works, what's normal
What are the most common placental problems?
What are signs or symptoms of placental problems?
What can I do to reduce my risk of placental problems?
Content
What does the placenta do?
What affects the health of the placenta?
What are the most common conditions and concerns?
What are symptoms of trouble with the placenta?
What can I do to lower my risk of conditions that affect the placenta?
How is the placenta delivered?
What does the placenta do?
The placenta is an organ that forms in the womb, also called the uterus, during pregnancy. The placenta is connected to a developing baby by a tubelike structure called the umbilical cord. Through the umbilical cord, the placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to a developing baby. It also removes waste from the baby's blood.
The placenta is attached to the wall of the uterus. Most often, it attaches to the top, side, front or back of the uterus. Rarely, it might attach in the lower area of the uterus. When this happens, the placenta may block the passage that connects the uterus to the vagina, called the cervix. If the placenta is near the opening of the cervix, it's known as a low-lying placenta. If it partly or totally covers the opening of the cervix, it causes a condition called placenta previa.
