How is the fetus nourished during pregnancy?

The fetus is nourished during pregnancy primarily through the placenta. The placenta is a vital organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy and serves multiple critical functions. It facilitates the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products between the mother and the developing fetus.

Nutrient-rich maternal blood flows into the placenta, where it is transformed and delivered to the fetal bloodstream through the umbilical cord. This direct connection allows for the efficient transfer of essential nutrients, glucose, oxygen, and antibodies while simultaneously removing carbon dioxide and metabolic wastes from the fetal circulation.

Although the umbilical cord plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients from the placenta to the fetus, it is the placenta itself that is responsible for the actual process of nutrient exchange. Similarly, while amniotic fluid provides cushioning and protection for the fetus, it does not serve as a source of nutrition. Maternal blood is involved in the process, but it is through the placenta that the fetus receives the necessary nourishment.