Umbilical blood flow is essential for a developing fetus, carrying oxygen and nutrients while removing waste. The fetal blood does not mix with the mother’s blood, but instead exchanges gases and waste through the placenta. Problems with the umbilical cord or placenta can be fatal to the fetus.
Umbilical blood flow typically refers to the movement of blood through the umbilical cord of a developing fetus. Through this cord, blood circulates in and out of the baby’s body to carry oxygen and other nutrients around the body and carry out waste materials. This system is vital to the developing baby’s health and life as all the components necessary for life are carried through the umbilical cord.
The umbilical blood flow does not mix with the pregnant mother’s blood flow. The fetal blood flows through the body infusing the cells with oxygen until it runs out. It also collects waste materials such as carbon dioxide. This deoxygenated blood then makes its way into the placental membrane. The placenta is a flat organ containing several blood vessels that is attached to the wall of the uterus.
Inside the placenta, the vessels of the umbilical cord and those of the mother are interwoven very close together. The oxygen from the mother’s blood diffuses into the umbilical bloodstream, and the waste materials from the fetus enter the mother’s bloodstream in the same way. This allows the baby to receive oxygenated blood from the mother while releasing waste materials.
Umbilical blood flow within the fetal body is different from blood flow within a fully developed baby that has already been born. Because the lungs aren’t functional, they don’t need as much oxygenated blood to continue development. Because of this, blood flow bypasses the lungs and liver, which are also not yet functioning, through an opening between the left and right sides of the heart. This opening closes soon after birth once the baby is breathing adequately.
Since the umbilical blood flow is the lifeline of the fetus, problems within the system of oxygen exchange and waste removal between the newborn and the mother can be fatal to the developing newborn. There are various issues that can impact the cord or placenta. The most common problems are placental abruption and cord prolapse, both of which are potential causes of miscarriage or fetal death.
In some cases, the placenta prematurely detaches from the wall of the uterus, entirely or partially. Sometimes, if the detachment is partial, the pregnancy can be saved if the placenta is still connected enough to allow for proper blood flow. Another problem that sometimes occurs is prolapse or a pinched cord. This refers to when the umbilical cord becomes knotted, collapsed, or twisted and prevents proper blood flow.
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