Answer any two of (a), (b), (c), (d) - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 17 - 2021

The placenta serves several crucial functions:

1. It facilitates the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus while allowing the removal of waste products from the fetus back to the mother.
2. The placenta also produces hormones that help support the pregnancy and keep the mother's and fetus's blood separate, preventing any mixing and potential complications.

The stages of childbirth can be described as follows:

1. Waters Break: The amniotic sac ruptures, releasing the amniotic fluid. This occurrence often indicates that labor is beginning.
2. Labor and Delivery: The cervix dilates to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal. Subsequently, the umbilical cord and placenta are delivered after the baby is born.

The hormone that stimulates the production of breast milk is Prolactin.

Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits, including:

1. Breast milk contains antibodies that provide protection against infections and contributes to the baby's immune system.
2. Breastfeeding also helps establish a bond between mother and baby and assists the mother's body in returning to its pre-pregnancy state, reducing the risk of breast cancer.