"The placenta produces four essential hormones that help to maintain the pregnancy and support the developing fetus.”.

"The hormones that my placenta makes are called estrogen, progesterone, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and hCS (human chorionic somatomammotropin) or hPL (human placental lactogen).”.

"Because I am only eight weeks pregnant, the placenta has not yet begun to develop. The placenta will begin to develop at 12 weeks.”.

"The placenta plays an important role in the pregnancy by allowing me to share oxygen and nutrients with the baby while at the same time also removing carbon dioxide and wastes from the baby's system.”.