 Description of placenta delivery
Added: 02/18/2006 |
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The third stage of childbirth is considered to be the most exhausting and intense one. It includes not only the delivery of the baby, but also placenta delivery which is known to happen about five to thirty minutes after the childbirth. It is worthy admitting that delivery of placenta is a normal process and means that the woman's uterus begins to contract again and placenta is being pushed out of the woman's body.
Speaking about the third stage of childbirth and particularly about placenta delivery, it is important that you have imagination about placenta definition and description. So, placenta is referred to as an ephemeral temporary organ of the female human body during the period of pregnancy. It is worthy admitting that placenta consists of two parts: the first one is biologically and genetically a part of a fetus and another one is a part of the woman (future mother).
Placenta is implanted in the uterus wall where it is supposed to receive the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients from the woman's blood and pass out the waste. Such an interference of placenta makes up a certain placental barrier which has an important function of filtering out the substances likely to do harm to the fetus. However, still many substances are not filtered out (for example, alcohol); at the same time several types of viruses are also able to cross this placental barrier. Additionally, placenta is characterized by endocrine and metabolic activity as well.
Thus, placenta is a temporary organ which joins the fetus and woman. Placenta's main function is considered to be transferring oxygen and nutrients from the woman to the fetus and permitting the release of waste products as well as carbon dioxide from the fetus. Placenta is disc-shaped and approximately seven inches in diameter; the thickness of the organ is less than two inches. It is curious that the upper placenta surface is smooth while the under one is rough. It goes without saying placenta is full of blood vessels.
One of the basic facts necessary to know about placenta delivery is that during the birth process placenta is being expelled along with the fetal membranes. By the way they form the afterbirth. After the baby is born the uterus is known to be naturally pushing the placenta out. This is called placenta delivery process. This childbirth stage usually takes between five minutes and an hour in which time the woman is expected to help placenta to expel by certain pushing when directed. It is rather important to have experienced midwife to provide the pregnant woman with needed help and assistance. In medical practice such a process is sometimes called controlled cord traction involving placing one hand on the woman's abdomen and another hand keeping the umbilical cord taut.
In conclusion, it is worthy admitting that according to the well-known placenta delivery description the woman is often given a special injection of synthetic hormone to stimulate the uterus co contract and make placenta come away from it. After placenta delivery is finished the blood vessels (located on the uterus inside) close themselves and therefore most of the bleeding is stopped. Some women may experience chills, waves of hunger or thirst. But it is normal. However, as the practice shows, the woman's attention will be concentrated not on the placenta delivery, but on her new-born baby. Anyway the placenta delivery description is an important data to be taken into account by all the pregnant women.
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