The placenta is a temporary, highly specialized fetomaternal organ that develops during pregnancy and plays a vital role in maintaining the health, growth, and survival of the fetus. It forms an essential connection between the mother and the developing fetus and performs respiratory, nutritive, excretory, endocrine, metabolic, and protective functions. In maternal health nursing, knowledge of the placenta is important because abnormalities of placental development, position, attachment, and separation can seriously affect both maternal and fetal health. The placenta begins to develop soon after implantation of the fertilized ovum in the uterine endometrium. The outer layer of the blastocyst, called the trophoblast, differentiates into the cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast. Chorionic villi develop from the trophoblastic tissue and progressively become associated with maternal blood vessels. The fetal part of the placenta develops mainly from the chorion frondosum, while the maternal part is formed by the decidua basalis. As pregnancy advances, the placenta becomes well vascularized and establishes an efficient exchange system between maternal and fetal circulations. At term, the placenta is approximately 15–20 cm in diameter, about 2–3 cm thick at its center, and weighs approximately 500 g. It is generally round or oval in shape. The fetal surface is smooth, shiny, and covered by the amnion. Beneath the amnion, the branches of the umbilical vessels can be seen radiating from the insertion of the umbilical cord. The maternal surface is dark red, rough, and divided into approximately 15–20 lobules called cotyledons by grooves. The placenta is attached to the uterine wall through the decidual tissue. The umbilical cord connects the fetus with the placenta. It usually contains two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein embedded in Wharton's jelly and covered by amnion. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood and metabolic waste from the fetus to the placenta, whereas the umbilical vein carries oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus. The normal cord is generally about 50–60 cm long, although considerable variation may occur. The placenta has several important functions. One of its major functions is respiration. Oxygen from maternal blood diffuses across the placental membrane into fetal blood, while carbon dioxide moves from fetal blood into maternal blood and is subsequently eliminated through the mother's lungs. This process enables the fetus to obtain oxygen before the development of independent pulmonary respiration. The placenta also performs an essential nutritional function. Glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, water, and electrolytes are transferred from maternal circulation to the fetus. Glucose is an important