PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT FETAL SUPPORT SYSTEM

OBJECTIVES You will be able to:  Identify and describe the fetal support system  Analyze the interdependence of parts within the fetal support system  Create a mobile of the fetal support system to demonstrate interdependence and functionality of each part.

Support system of the Fetus  Placenta  Umbilical Cord  Amniotic Sac

Placenta

 An organ that attaches to the uterus. It is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord.  Nutrients and oxygen from the mother's blood are transferred to the fetal blood, while waste products are transferred from the fetal blood to the maternal blood, without the two blood supplies mixing.  Small blood vessels carrying the fetal blood run through the placenta, which is full of maternal blood.

Cultural Views of the Placenta  In some cultures revered as a symbol of life  Often planted out side or in a special plant  Many people elect to eat the placenta as a celebration of birth  Often used in Chinese Medicine  Is seen as a source of rich nutrients (many mammals eat their own placenta Placentophagy)

Think, Pair, Share: Would You Eat IT??? 1. Write down one reason you might consider eating the placenta of your child and one reason why you would never consider eating the placenta. 2. Pair up with a partner and discuss.

Umbilical Cord  The umbilical cord contains three blood vessels that connect the child with the placenta.  As the placenta develops, the umbilical cord is how the baby receives nourishment and removes wastes.

Umbilical Cord

Fetal Circulatory System

Cord Cutting/Clamping Debate  Studies show that cutting the cord too early may be potentially harmful to the newborn (loss of blood, doesn’t allow for baby’s body to adjust on its own, still providing oxygen/iron to the baby while it adjusts).  It is advised for the doctors to wait until the cord has stopped pulsating, in order to give the baby time for its systems to work well on their own.  Some parents elect to keep the placenta attached completely and let it fall off on its own, this takes about 3 days (“Lotus Birth”)  In emergency situations where the baby is having trouble breathing- immediate cord clamping is necessary  A pulsating cord is not necessarily a sign that the baby is receiving enough oxygen  Increased risk of jaundice  If general anesthesia is used- may be harmful for child bc it could be transfused to infant  Must consider infant’s health first. On one hand…On the other hand…

Amniotic Sac

 Amniotic sac is filled with amniotic fluid- Forms about 12 days after pregnancy  This fluid filled sac allows the baby to swim and move around- why is it important for fetus to move around???  It protects the baby from outside knocks, bumps and pressures  The temperature is regulated to about 99.7  When the “water breaks” this is the sac rupturing and the amniotic fluid flowing out

Amniotic Fluid In the early weeks of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid is mostly water that comes from the body After about 20 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus’ “urine” makes up most of the fluid. Amniotic fluid also contains nutrients, hormones and antibodies (cells in the body that fight off infection)

Amniotic Fluid The amniotic fluid constantly moves (circulates) as the baby swallows and "inhales" the fluid, and then releases, or "exhales," the fluid through urine. (not really pee- just practice) The amniotic fluid helps:  The developing baby to move in the womb, which allows for proper bone growth  The lungs to develop properly  Keep a relatively constant temperature around the baby, protecting from heat loss  Protect the baby from outside injury by cushioning sudden blows or movements

Do Babies Poop & Pee in the Womb???  Yes and No  Babies breathe in amniotic fluid and it filters through their system and out their urethra  Everything else filters out of the umbilical cord  Meconium lines the fetal intestines and is passed the first few days the baby is born  Meconium is composed of materials ingested during the time the infant spends in the uterus: intestinal epithelial cells, lanugo, mucus, amniotic fluid, bile, and water.uterusepithelial cellslanugomucusamniotic fluidbile

Multiples: How many Placentas???

References  htm htm  ncy/fetallifesupportsystem.html ncy/fetallifesupportsystem.html