Answer:
During pregnancy, the fetus gets its oxygen and nutrients from the mother through the placenta, a specialized organ that connects to the uterus. The placenta consists of the chorionic plate on the fetal side and the basal plate on the maternal side, which is embedded in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. The myometrium, the muscular layer of the uterus, contracts and relaxes during labor, pushing the fetus out of the uterus and into the birth canal.
The placenta is connected to the mother's circulatory system through the uterine arteries and uterine veins, which deliver deoxygenated blood to the placenta and carry away oxygenated blood from the placenta. The fetus is connected to the placenta through the umbilical cord, which contains the umbilical arteries and the umbilical vein, surrounded by a protective layer of Wharton's jelly. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta, while the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.
The placenta acts as a barrier, preventing the mother's blood and the fetus's blood from mixing but allowing oxygen, nutrients, and waste products to be exchanged between the two. Oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood diffuse across the placental membrane and into the fetal blood, providing the fetus with the necessary nourishment for growth and development.
The fetus rids its wastes by transferring them across the placenta into the mother's blood. The mother's kidneys filter out the waste products, such as urea and carbon dioxide, from her blood, which are then excreted from her body. The fetus also releases waste products into the amniotic fluid, a clear liquid that surrounds the fetus in the amniotic sac. The amniotic fluid serves as a cushion, protecting the fetus from external impacts and temperature fluctuations.
Placenta previa is a condition in which the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, which can cause bleeding and complications during delivery. In some cases, a cesarean section may be required to deliver the baby safely.