WHAT IS THE PLACENTA?
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The placenta also functions as an endocrine organ, meaning it releases hormones, which enable both the mother and baby to have a successful pregnancy. Some of these, such as progesterone, help to maintain the pregnancy, while others increase the maternal blood supply to the fetus, others may increase the amount of glucose in the mothers blood, and still others help to prepare both the baby and the mother for delivery.
After the safe delivery of the baby, the placenta is delivered. Often the placenta is referred to as the "afterbirth" for this reason. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and the site of attachment on the baby is commonly known as the umbilicus, navel or belly-button.

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