When does placenta take over?

Being pregnant is one of the most wonderful things women can experience: they are producing the miracle of life after all. For nine months a woman goes through many emotions as a result of their hormones, but one thing that makes it all worth it is that they will have a little baby by the end of it.

As well as facing the roller coaster of hormones, many pregnant women suffer from morning sickness in early pregnancy. During the first 8 to 13 weeks (or by the end of the first trimester) the corpus luteum forms from the ovarian follicle that released the egg, which produces progesterone. The progesterone helps to support the pregnancy during placenta development.

This is the time when women are more likely to experience morning sickness. Morning sickness usually begins to ease once the placenta (an endocrine organ that develops after implantation of the embryo in the uterus) develops and takes over the production of progesterone. As well as taking over the production of progesterone, it’s also responsible for keeping your baby healthy. It does this by producing oxygen and nutrients to your baby via the umbilical cord and filters out toxins and waste from the baby’s blood.

When does placenta take over?

The placenta usually takes over by the end of 20 weeks which eases a lot of women’s morning sickness and provides much relief. It’s also at this time and during the second trimester, thanks to the fully-functioning placenta, that women can enjoy an increase in energy which doesn’t occur at any other time during their pregnancy. A vast difference to the morning sickness felt during the first trimester.

Sometimes a placenta may not develop properly during which time you may experience cramping or spotting. If you have any of this off if your morning sickness is quite severe please visit your doctor or midwife who can check everything is well with your pregnancy.