PARTIALLY our society considers the placenta or the placenta as a "twin" of the baby. There is a certain kind of belief that it is no relationship "magic" between the baby with the placenta.

No wonder, the placenta or umbilical treated well, even performed a variety of rituals that have nothing to do with religion. So, how understanding the placenta or the placenta from the medical view?

What is the placenta?
Placenta is an organ present in the uterus formed during pregnancy while. This organ shaped like a dish with about 1 inch thick, a diameter of approximately 7 inches, and weigh the pregnancy is the average month 1 / 6 weight of the fetus, or about 500 grams.

For months, the placenta or the placenta is very useful to the baby while in the womb. Because, through fetal organs obtain nutrients and other life needs. But once born, so it role was over.

The placenta consists of two parts, the part to the fetus or Coriolis called villi and parts for mothers from decidua basalis. Here, there was an exchange between the fetus and the mother's blood through the surface of the villi and covered with blood from the decidua basalis from maternal blood.

The relationship between fetal and placental circulation formed by the umbilical cord which usually originate in the center of the placenta. Did you know, generally formed a complete placenta in pregnancy about 16 weeks of gestation or during the second trimester of pregnancy?

Role of the placenta
Placenta or umbilical main function for getting the fetus to grow well. It happened through the fulfillment of nutritional amino acids, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates and the fat solution that intake from mother to fetus. In contrast, the metabolism of substances released from the fetus to the mother's blood through the placenta, too. The placenta also serves as a means of respiration which gives out oxygen and carbon dioxide. In addition, the placenta is a hormone, particularly the hormone chorionic gonadotropin, chorionic somato, mammotropin (placental lactogen), estrogen and progesterone and other hormones are still in the research.

Antibodies from mother to fetus can also be channeled through the placenta. Thus, fetal acquired immunity can continue until 4-6 months after birth.

In addition intake substances needed by the fetus while in the womb, the placenta can also be bypassed by bacteria and certain drugs that can cause harmful effects to the fetus. Germs and certain drugs that circulate in maternal blood can cross the placenta and cause abnormalities or defects in the fetus, especially when there in the first trimester of pregnancy.

For example, if the rubella-infected mothers in the first trimester of pregnancy the baby's risk of birth defects is 15-50 percent. Similarly, if the mother was taking certain drugs such as thlidomid can cause severe congenital fokomelia by folic acid antagonists for granting propilhourasil or iodine, and many other drug-provoking harmful effects to the fetus.

Therefore, doctors are cautious with giving drugs to pregnant women especially during the phase of fetal organ formation in the first trimester of pregnancy. Until now, there are many other placental function is essential for life and is still in the research.

The placenta as an alternative medicine
In addition to performing rituals to bury the placenta or afterbirth in the ground there were certain people who make the string rather than the placenta as an alternative medicine for the baby when stricken ill.

Generally the rest of the placenta wrapped specifically then stored in a hidden place and left to dry. If baby bloating, abdominal pain or fever bungksan had soaked in water to cook and drink water to the baby. This is done until the baby is one year old.

Treatment techniques are performed by them to the baby the doctor's view is not true. Is not the role of the placenta after the baby is born? Thus, the treatment techniques that made those parents are suggestions that the cord from the placenta that can heal the pain the baby feels. Even until now no studies that can prove its truth.

Bury the placenta for cleanliness
Just bury (buried) in the placenta in the ground, without any intention except for hygiene or environmental health and well may, of course. Therefore, the placenta will soon rot if not immediately buried. Thus, the best way was buried alone in order not to damage the environment. Instead, it buried the placenta and the ritual is complete without the accompaniment of a particular religious creed without damaging and our human relationship with the Creator.