A few days after conception, the fertilized egg implants in the wall of the uterus and the cells begin to develop into various fetal organs including the placenta.  The placenta is an organ specifically designed to nourish the fetus and to excrete its waste products.  The outer layer of this cell cluster develops into a membrane with hundreds of tiny roots that penetrate the uterine tissues.

The mother’s blood that carries oxygen, water and other essential nutrients does not flow directly into the baby. Blood passes across the tissue on the maternal side of the placenta and the baby’s blood passes back across the tissues on the other side.  The membrane separates the two bloodstreams; chemical substances can be diffused from one blood stream to the other through the membrane, but the bloodstreams themselves normally never mix. If some fetal blood cells cross the placenta, there is usually no significant effect.  Therefore, the baby can have a different blood group from the mother while still taking nourishment from mother’s blood.  The baby’s waste products are passed back through the placenta into mother’s bloodstream to be filtered and excreted by the mother’s kidneys.

The placenta and baby is joined by the umbilical cord, which is roughly around 20 inches long.

The baby seems to make breathing movements but he doesn’t really breathe inside.  Oxygenated blood crosses the placenta and the interchange passes back the carbon dioxide. Amazing indeed!

As the placenta starts to function, is takes in the task of producing a lot of hormones including estrogen and progesterone, from the glands that normally secrete these hormones.  Estrogen and progesterone controls most of the changes in a woman’s pregnant body.

Estrogen stimulates growth of the uterus and the development of the new uterine blood vessels.  It also causes the milk glands in the breasts to develop so that baby can feed. Progesterone prevents the uterus from contracting during the pregnancy.

By the 37 week of gestation, the placenta reduces the output of progesterone and increases the output of estrogen to initiate contraction and the start of labor. The uterus contracts till the third stage of the birth process, which is delivery of the placenta.

What happens to the placenta?

Once the baby is born, the uterus contracts to detach the placenta from the uterine wall and is expelled through the vagina.  The placenta can weigh one pound.  The attending caregiver checks that the placenta is intact.

Years ago, hospital maternity department had chest freezer to store placentas.  The placentas were collected for cosmetic or research purposes. Nowadays most likely the hospital staff throws it away.

Some cultures bury the placenta. In the Philippines , some mothers take home the clean placenta – wrapped in thick plastic and placed in a container- for burial.  The placenta is buried deep into the ground near a young tree to ferment and fertilize the tree.  See the baby and tree grow in unison.

The Maori of New Zealand traditionally bury the placenta to emphasize the relationship between humans and the earth.  In Cambodia and Costa Rica, burial of the placenta protects and ensures the health of the mother and baby. 

The placenta is believed by some communities to have power over the lives of the baby or parents.  In Turkey, proper disposal is believed to promote devoutness in the child later in life. Malaysians regard it as the baby’s older sibling. In Japan interaction with a disposed placenta is thought to influence the parents future fertility.

Other cultures and individuals eat the placenta. The practice of eating the placenta is called placentophagy.  Animals eat the placenta to replace lost vitamins during the birth process. Dogs eat the placenta.

Check the Internet for placenta recipes – placenta cocktail, placenta lasagna, placenta stew, roasted placenta.

According to Francesca Naish, “In traditional societies and in the animal kingdom zinc deficiency and postpartum depression is rarely a problem because the placenta is usually eaten.  This organ is the riches known source of zinc – it contains between 350-600mg of elemental zinc depending on its size. When the placenta is eaten, zinc status is easily restored.”

Try out placenta prints.  Before birth secure unique specialty paper. After birth layout the fresh placenta on the paper. Ink or paint can be used to get the best prints.

Whatever you do with your placenta is your choice but it is good to know just how important the placenta is during pregnancy.  A healthy placenta is a healthy pregnancy. 

References:  The Natural way to Better Birth & Bonding by Naish & Roberts
Placenta from Wikipedia
Mothering Magazine September 1983

The moment a woman becomes aware or feels the movement of her baby she can either be excited or panic a little knowing there is really new life. The first movement is called quickening.  According to Eisenberg, Murkoff and Hathaway, “Perhaps the most common descriptions of fetal movement are: a fluttering in the abdomen; butterflies in the stomach, a growling stomach, a bubble bursting,  Often the first noticeable movements are mistaken for gas or hunger pains”.

Quickening can occur between the fourteenth to the twenty-second week of pregnancy.  It is also possible for the mom not to feel any movement until much later.  Possible reasons can be the mother’s weight, the baby’s position inside the uterus and the location of the placenta. In the beginning the mother to be is the only one who can feel the movement. Her birth partner, family friends and doctor will be unable to experience quickening.  If there are any concerns on fetal movement, ask the doctor.  An ultrasound maybe requested by the doctor.

As pregnancy progresses,  it is important to monitor baby’s movement to alert you of any medical risks.  If you notice lack of movement,  contact doctor.  The doctor can also instruct the mother- to make a chart called fetal kick count chart

.A fetal kick count chart is a record on a paper or notebook of your baby’s daily movement.  The chart is aimed at recording not just the kicks but the fetal movement. Movements can be a roll, a push, jab and stretch all count as kicks.  Any rigorous movements with a kick, kick, kick, kick can count as four movements.  Hiccups are not considered movements.

There are two common methods used in monitoring the fetal movements or kick count charts.  First is the Cardiff Count to Ten Method.  This uses an 8 to 12 hour period to record at least ten of your baby’s movement.  The time you choose depends on when you think your baby is most active.  The baby can be more active in the evening or a few hours after a meal.  If your baby has 10 movements within a 12 hour period, then baby is in good health.

Chart at the same time everyday.  When you have  recorded 10 movements, write down the time or put an X at the corresponding box or time.

Second, is the One to Two Hours Method.  This is done while lying down on your left side for 30 minutes after eating without distractions.  After an evening meal might be ideal time to record.  Baby should move 10 times within an hour to 75 minutes.Before you do your fetal kick count chart, here are some tips.

• Wait until 28 weeks before beginning this testing.

• Prepare your chart = time of day on the left and days of the week on top.

• Choose a time of day your baby is most active.

• Ask your doctor or midwife for variations of testing.

Initially just have a chart and record the baby’s movement for the next two days to find out when your baby is most active.  After two days you can now start.Fetal Kick Count Charting – depending on your method

• Choose a time.

• Have your watch.

• Get your paper and pen.

• Mark a check or a line for every movement your baby makes.

• If your baby makes 10 movements in 12 hrs or 10 movements in 1-2 hours, you’re done.

• If you have fewer than 10 movements, continue.

• This time lie down on your left side.

• Eat or drink something, play loud music, bang anything to wake up baby.

• If nothing happens, call your doctor.

If you do need to go to the hospital to monitor fetal movements, a non-stress test NST can be done.  This entails your baby’s heart rate being monitored with an electronic fetal monitor for around 20 – 40 minutes.  The paper readout is marked every time your baby moves, with their heart rate reacting (ideally increasing) soon after the movement.

During your prenatal consultations, you can also bring your fetal kick count charts.

Moms to be, enjoy this new experience and be aware of the kicks especially during the holiday season. Happy

The Greatest Gift                                                        TOP              
If you want to give your baby a gift that will last a life time – the gift of a healthy start – you need to make plans and take action now even before you conceive.  Planning involves making a list of the things you need to do.  Below is a list of questions to help you get started:

Have I had a pre-pregnancy check-up?

It is important to let your doctor know that you want to have a baby several months before you begin trying to get pregnant.  So even before marriage, see your doctor.  During this preconception visit, you can inform your doctor of any medical conditions you have or concerns on your office and home environment that could affect a future pregnancy.

A preconception visit is especially important for women who have had one or more miscarriages, previous pre-term deliveries, baby with a birth defect, women with chronic health problems, women who take medication everyday.  Some common medications for conditions like ace/thyroid can harm a developing baby.  Your doctor may prescribe some other medication, refer you to a doctor with your particular concern or discontinue the medication. Don’t stop any medication until you have seen your doctor.

The doctor will ask on your health, your partner’s health and your family.  Notation on your immunizations such as measles, chicken pox, rubella is important.  If you need any immunizations- now is the time.  You cannot get measles, rubella and chicken pox during the pregnancy.

Therefore, call your general doctor, obstetrician or midwife and make an appointment now!

Am I getting enough folic acid?

Folic acid is a B vitamin that may reduce the risk of having a baby with a serious birth defect of the brain or spinal cord.  Orange juice, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, brown rice, wheatgerm, fortified breakfast cereals, nuts and seeds are good sources of folic acid.

The critical period for women to make sure that they are getting enough folic acid in their diet is actually before conception and then during the first three months of pregnancy.  So if you plan on getting pregnant, better start eating food with folic acid and take in daily supplements.

Am I into any stretching program?

Stretching/exercise is great for all.  It’s a stress reliever and helps prevent heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.  Stretching can relieve pregnancy discomforts like constipation, backaches, leg cramps, and fatigue.  If you’re pregnant already, consult your doctor and get his approval.

Can I lower my stress level?

It is important for you and your baby to be relax and reduce your stress level as much as possible during the entire pregnancy.  Too much stress can increase the risk of pre-term labor, low birth weight and possible miscarriage.

Try to cut back on unnecessary activities that raise your stress level. Exercise /stretching can help.  Reading a book, meditation, having fun can help.

Am I eating right?

The best way to prepare for a healthy pregnancy is to ea a variety of nutritious foods everyday starting now.  If you are underweight or overweight, try to get a healthy weight before conceiving.  But remember --- once you’re pregnant you shouldn’t try to lose weight because you can harm the developing baby.

What’s your idea of a balanced diet? Three main meals or small meals and lots of snacks?  It doesn’t matter how frequent, what is crucial is that you eat the right amount of food from the five groups in the pyramid food guide (www.mypyramid.gov) - grains, fruits & vegetables, protein, dairy products and fats.  Filipinas need to gain 20- 25 lbs if you’re starting on the right weight.  If you are underweight, you can gain more; if overweight, gain less.

Could I get an infection?

Some infections like rubella, toxoplasmosis, genital herpes, HIV can harm a developing baby. So be careful.  Some basic precautions include washing your hands frequently, avoiding potentially unsafe foods (raw fish, oysters, clams, undercooked meat, chicken, seafood, soft scrambled eggs, soft cheeses), and having someone else change your cat litter box.  Have sex with only one person who doesn’t have any other sex partners or use condom when having sex.

Do I smoke, drink or use illegal drugs?

Smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs are bad for you and your future baby.  Smoking doubles the risk of having low birth weight baby and increases the chances of preterm labor miscarriage, stillbirth.  However, for Asians 5-6 pounds baby are just right.

Drinking alcohol (liquor, wine, beer, wine coolers) during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome FAS in your baby.  No one really knows how much alcohol a woman has to drink to cause FAS.  Therefore, the best thing to do is to stop completely.

Using illegal drugs may cause your baby to be born too early or to have learning or behavior problems.

Am I exposed to hazardous chemicals at work or at home?

Breathing or touching some chemicals such as cleaning fluids, solvents, insecticides, paint 7 paint thinners could be dangerous for you and your baby. Check out your drinking water for lead. You might want to sift to bottled drinking water. Before you get pregnant, plan your strategy for avoiding general exposure.  If you have plans on painting, ask your partner or friends to paint it or move out first.

What should I do next?

The things to do might be initially overwhelming, but take things one at a time.  You’ve already taken one big step – you’ve read this article!  It is time to call your doctor and begin taking a multivitamin with folic acid today.  Soon you will be ready to give your baby the greatest gift of all -  the gift to a healthy start.  So, get yourself ready for Life’s Greatest Miracle!