The placenta is a transitional organ shared by mother and embryo. The circulatory systems of mother and baby are very close, but separate. This complex is a natural, allogenic transplant that is resistant to rejection. The two circulatory systems are separated by tissue layers called the placental barrier.
Oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the fetus by way of the numerous capillaries within the placenta. Carbon dioxide and metabolic waste products of the baby are passed to the mother’s circulation. The placenta functions as the lungs, kidneys, and intestine for the infant. It also functions as an endocrine gland, controlling hormones in various organs of mother and baby. When someone refers to the developing child in the womb as a Blob, you might counter them with this statement; The child is a separate, developing, tiny human person, with a full complement of human DNA. The placenta is a vital organ, shared by mother and baby. This organ can be affectionately referred to as a Blob! Like the child, the placenta is quite complex.
The placenta plays the role of Blob perfectly. It has a stalk, the umbilical cord, which allows the baby some freedom of movement, and it remains attached to the mother by this intertwining of the capillary systems of the two individuals. This Blob is shiny on one side, squishy, and flexible, as well as fluid, and very bloody. Everything you could want in a Blob! Like the Clump of Cells, the placenta serves many complex functions. It is derived from that Clump of Cells. The placenta is derived from the the trophoblasts within the blastocyst (Clump of Cells), and the embryo is derived from the embryoblasts.
The placenta begins to develop at implantation of the Blastocyst (Clump of Cells) into the uterine wall, around the 8th day of pregnancy. The developing baby is provided nutrients by the yolk sac early, then by the placenta. The circulatory system of the placenta develops at the end of the first trimester. I float in the amniotic sac filled with fluid, until I’m ready for birth. After the sac breaks and the ‘water’ flows, then I will emerge, followed by the afterbirth - the placenta (Blob of Tissue) and the Umbilical Cord. Some people encourage consumption of the placenta with many benefits experienced. There are various ways to prepare the tissue, some of which, may not kill dangerous bacteria that may be present. The article at the link below tells of an infant that developed a streptococcal infection from breast feeding after the mother took capsules of prepared placenta. Consult your physician before consuming placental tissue.
When people refer to me as just a blob of tissue, be sure to explain that, yes, there is a Blob, but this Blob is not the person, but a critical organ supporting my development and growth during my mother’s pregnancy. This Blob is unique to me and my mother. Remind the inquisitor of the words of Dr. Suess - “a person is a person, no matter how small!”
Learn more at the web site: www.embryology.ch.
Please hepp me defend the rights of the tiniest members of our human race.
With love,
Rose M. Bryo
Placenta: Blob of Tissue. Painting on iPhone by Rose M. Bryo.