Pregnancy

A foetus (often spelt fetus) is an 8 to 38 week developing baby inside a mothers womb. The foetus would not be able to survive inside the womb without the following things from the mother: 

-Amniotic Fluid

-Amniotic Sac 

-Placenta

-Umbilical Cord

-Uterus

The amnitic fluid is contained inside the amniotic sac and surrounds the developing foetus.

It cushions the baby from blows to the mothers abdomen, allows easier movement and encourages development of the muscles and skeleton.

At first the amniotic fluid is mainy water with ectrolytes but after the first 12 weeks it normally contains proteins, carbohydrates, phospholipids, urea and lipids which all help the foetus' development.

Too little fluid can be an indication that there are problems with the mother and baby. If there is too little amniotic fluid the baby could have underdeveloped lungs which is life threatening for a child.

The amniotic sac contains the developing foetus and the amniotic fluid.

It is thin but tough.

Once the baby is born the amniotic sac will be puched out along with the umbilical cord and the placenta.

The placenta is an organ that provides oxygen and nutrients to a developing foetus and embryo (a developing egg before weeks). It removes waste products from the baby's blood.

Although the placenta provides a link between the mothers blood and the foetus' blood it also keeps the two separate.

The placenta provides the foetus with hormones that helps the development and protects the foetus from bacteria. However, the placenta does not protect the baby from viruses. Things like alcohol, nicotine and drugs can be transported to the baby through the umbiical cord from the placenta.

The placenta is pushed out of the vagina along with the amniotic sac and the umbiical cord.

An umbilical cord connects a foetus in the womb to its mother. It runs from the foetus' stomach to the placenta in the womb.

The umbilica cord is what transports oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the foetus.

After the birth of the baby the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The placenta and amniotic sac is also pushed out.

The uterus is the medical term for the womb.

The uterus expands to accomodate the developing foetus and works with the placenta to supply the baby with nutrients.