2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
Today, the term "placenta" does not surprise anyone. Modern girls are much better informed about pregnancy and childbirth than their grandmothers and mothers. However, most of this knowledge is superficial. Therefore, today we want to talk about what the placental barrier is in the womb. At first glance, what's incomprehensible here? A child's place has the ability to protect the developing embryo from harmful effects and toxic substances. In fact, this organ is a real mystery and a miracle of nature.
Protected
The placental barrier is a kind of immune system. It serves as a boundary between two organisms. It is the placenta that ensures their normal coexistence and the absence of an immunological conflict. The first trimester of pregnancy is the most difficult. Partly because the placenta is not yet formed, which means that the body of the embryo is completely unprotected. From about 12 weeks, she is fully included in the work. From now on, she is ready to perform all her functions.
How is the placenta?
Thisan important point, without which we cannot continue our conversation. The very word "placenta" came to us from Latin. It translates as "cake". Its main part is special villi, which begin to form from the first days of pregnancy. Every day they branch out more and more. At the same time, inside them is the blood of the child. At the same time, maternal blood enriched with nutrients enters from the outside. That is, the placental barrier primarily has a separating function. This is very important, since this organ regulates the exchange of substances between two closed systems. According to this statement, the outer and inner sides of the placenta have a different structure. Inside it is smooth. The outer side is uneven, lobed.
Barrier function
What does the term "placental barrier" include? Let's deviate a little more towards the physiology of the ongoing processes. As already mentioned, it is the unique villi that provide the exchange of substances between the woman and the embryo. Maternal blood brings oxygen and nutrients to the baby, and the fetus gives carbon dioxide to the pregnant girl. Excretory system while they have one for two. And therein lies the greatest mystery. The placental barrier separates maternal and fetal blood so well that they do not mix.
At first glance, it seems unimaginable, but the two vascular systems are separated by a unique membrane septum. It selectively skips what is important for the development of the fetus. With anotherhand, toxic, harmful and dangerous substances linger here. Therefore, doctors say that starting from the 12th week, the expectant mother can already relax a little. The placenta is able to protect the child's body from many adverse factors.
Only the most important
All essential nutrients pass through the placental barrier, as well as oxygen. If the doctor observes the pathology of fetal development, he may prescribe special drugs that increase the blood supply to the placenta. This means that they increase the amount of oxygen that enters the baby. However, not all so simple. The membrane septum retains the bacteria and viruses contained in the mother's blood, as well as antibodies that are produced during the Rhesus conflict. That is, the unique structure of this membrane is tuned to preserve the fetus in a variety of situations.
It is impossible not to note the high selectivity of the partition. The same substances that have got through the placental barrier overcome this boundary in different ways in the direction of the mother and fetus. For example, fluorine very easily and quickly penetrates from a woman to a baby, but does not pass back at all. A similar situation with bromine.
Due to what is the regulation of metabolism?
We have already told the reader that the placental barrier separates the maternal and fetal lymph. How did nature manage to launch such a perfect mechanism of regulation, when what is needed penetrates the barrier, and what is harmful is delayed? ActuallyIn fact, we are talking about two mechanisms here at once. Next, let's take a closer look at each of them.
First of all, we are interested in how the supply of vital, nutrient elements is regulated. Everything is quite simple here. Lipids and carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins are constantly present in the mother's blood. This means that the body can develop a balanced scheme. It will initially imply that the concentration of certain substances in the blood of mother and child is different.
Permeability of the placenta
Much more difficult when we talk about toxic substances that enter the body of a pregnant woman. The placental barrier separates lymph and blood. This means that those toxins that have passed through the mother's bloodstream will not get in their pure form to the fetus. However, after passing through the natural filters (liver and kidneys) in a residual form, they can still harm the baby. The fact is that substances (chemicals, drugs) that accidentally enter the mother's body are much more difficult to stop. They often tend to cross the placental barrier.
Limited barrier functions
Nature could not foresee the development of modern industry. Therefore, the products of chemical production relatively easily pass the natural barrier. They pose a threat to the growth and development of the fetus. The degree of penetration through the placenta depends on the properties and characteristics of a particular substance. We will only mention a few points, in fact there are many more. So, medicinal substances with a molecular weight (less than 600 g / mol) are like through the placental barriermuch faster. At the same time, those that have a lower rate practically do not penetrate. For example, these are insulin and heparin, which can be prescribed without fear during pregnancy.
There is another sign. Fat-soluble substances cross the placenta much better than water-soluble ones. Therefore, hydrophilic compounds are more desirable. In addition, doctors know that the probability of penetration of a substance through the placenta depends on the residence time of the drug in the blood. All long-acting drugs are more dangerous than those that are rapidly metabolized.
Recommended:
Placental abruption in early pregnancy: causes, symptoms, treatment, consequences
The modern rhythm of life and an abundance of stress often cause placental abruption in early pregnancy. With such a pathology, many women lie in conservation. During the first trimester, any negative impact on the physical or moral state of the mother can be fatal. But if you notice a deviation in time, there is every chance to avoid losing a child
Barrier contraceptive method: concept, types of contraceptives, choosing the best and doctors' recommendations
When reaching puberty, every girl is interested in the most effective way to protect against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Among all possible options, the barrier method of contraception is the most effective in both cases. What exactly refers to this concept and on what means it is better to stop can be found in the article
Placental abruption in late pregnancy: causes and consequences
When childbirth is approaching, a woman, on the one hand, looks forward to this moment, and on the other, she most of all hopes to bring the child to term. Unfortunately, in the later stages, when, it would seem, all pregnancy tests have been passed, complications can arise. One of them is placental abruption
Placental insufficiency: causes and treatment
Article on the development and stages of placental insufficiency in pregnant women. Considered treatment options, the consequences of the disease and a lot of other useful information
HEPA filter is a reliable barrier
HEPA filter is designed for fine cleaning and retention of microparticles. Initially, these devices were developed to equip the ventilation system in hospitals, medical centers and where increased air purity is required. This technology has become widespread in the West, it is widely used in the manufacture of air cleaners and vacuum cleaners
