16.4.7

Pregnancy Health

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Pregnancy Health

It is important that the foetus is connected to the mother's bloodstream through the placenta so it can get everything it needs. But, this means that any harmful substances in the mother's blood can easily reach the foetus.

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Substance exchange

  • The placenta provides the foetus with oxygen, nutrients for growth.
  • It also removes excretory waste products such as carbon dioxide from the foetus.
  • The placenta acts as barrier and can stop many (but not all) toxins and pathogens from passing from the mother's blood to the foetus.
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Harmful substances

  • Pregnant women are advised not to smoke or drink alcohol, because nicotine (in cigarettes) and alcohol can pass through the placenta into the blood of the foetus. This can seriously harm its development.
  • Pregnant women are also told to avoid foods that are more likely to carry pathogens such as undercooked meat.
  • The rubella virus is a pathogen can pass through the placenta and harm the foetus.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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