Final answer:
Key factors such as maternal oxygen, placental efficiency, and fetal hemoglobin play essential roles in fetal development and the transition to neonatal life. The placenta acts as a critical organ for nutrient and oxygen exchange, influencing fetal growth and postnatal adjustment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Baseline maternal oxygen tension, maternal oxygen carrying capacity, adequate blood flow to the uterus, presence or absence of uterine contractions, placental surface area, placental blood flow, and umbilical cord influences are factors critical to fetal development and successful pregnancy outcomes.
During pregnancy, the placenta serves as a circulation organ, enabling the exchange of nutrients and oxygen between the mother and the fetus. It is crucial for fetal growth, and its efficiency can impact the baby's birth weight and chances of surviving outside the womb.
Fetal hemoglobin differs from adult hemoglobin, with a greater affinity for oxygen, allowing efficient oxygen uptake from the lower partial pressure in maternal blood within the placenta. Post-birth, the newborn must adjust to the external environment, a process assisted by the Apgar test to assess their immediate health needs.