What is the primary function of the placenta that the nurse should explain to the client?

The primary function of the placenta is to provide an exchange of nutrients and waste products between the mother and the fetus. This structure acts as a critical interface, allowing for the transfer of essential nutrients such as oxygen, glucose, and amino acids from the maternal bloodstream to the fetal circulation, while simultaneously facilitating the removal of waste products like carbon dioxide and urea from the fetus back into the maternal blood for elimination.

While the placenta does produce hormones that are vital for maintaining the pregnancy and supporting fetal development, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone, this hormone production is a secondary function compared to its role in nutrient and waste exchange. The placenta also offers some protective functions against infections and substances, but it is not an impermeable barrier, and certain infections can still cross the placenta. Additionally, it does not store fetal blood; rather, blood is circulated between the fetus and mother through the placental vessels. Therefore, the focus on nutrient and waste exchange accurately reflects the primary and most critical role of the placenta in supporting fetal growth and development throughout the pregnancy.