Where does the placenta come from? mother or baby?

After the ovum is fertilized, the cells begin to divide and continue to divide as the zygote travels down the Fallopian tubes. When it reaches the uterus, the fluid inside the cells increase and a space forms within the mass of cells. Cells align in layers. The blastocyst burrows into the uterus, nestling deep toward the tiny maternal blood vessels until it is completely covered. Then a very complex and simultaneous dance begins in which some cells become destined for the placental and some for the embryo. The lining of the uterus thickens and blood vessels form to support this new life.

The placenta releases a hormone: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is measured in a pregnancy test. This is why a pregnancy must have progressed to this stage for a positive result.

Predictably, there is no clear separation between mother and baby. They are developing in unison to sustain life.

Let’s look more closely at this business of baby making

Does the placenta form from mother’s cells or the embryo’s cells?

Tune in tomorrow for the answer.

Class scheduled for Monday March 15

I am offering a Newborn Care class at Beginnings Birth Center this Monday from 5 to 7 pm. As an RN with decades of experience caring for new babies, I will present information on the challenges a newborn faces and the strengths and capabilities that equip her to succeed. We will talk in detail about how baby communicates her level of coping and how best to support her efforts. Of course, we will also cover evidence-based recommendations for routine daily care of newborns.

Please contact me if you intend to participate. I would love to meet you and share in your wonder at all things BABY!

terkled@hotmail.com

no charge to attend.

Theresa Kledzik

Mermaids, birdies and tulips

It must be spring is almost here. I had the pleasure of cutting, trimming and gluing these pretty papers today. In a couple weeks they will be bound to the pages of a baby’s story yet to be told.