We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Fetal Circulation?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 17,533
Share

The term “fetal circulation” is used to refer to the movement of blood through a developing fetus. Because the developing fetus gets oxygen through the mother's blood supply, rather than by breathing, there are a number of things about fetal circulation which are special, to allow the fetus to get the oxygen needed to thrive while also laying the groundwork for the day when the baby will be born. Once born, the baby has to adapt immediately to getting oxygen through the lungs, requiring a radical shift in the circulatory system.

Fetal and maternal blood supplies are entirely separate. The fetus is supplied with oxygen and nutrients through the placenta, with the fetus exchanging waste products for expression through the mother's bloodstream in exchange for needed oxygen and nutrition. Oxygenation of the blood occurs as oxygen depleted blood moves through the placenta, picking up oxygen from the mother's blood supply. The oxygenated blood moves through the fetal liver and heart, traveling through the fetal circulation system and reemerging to collect more oxygen from the placenta while dropping off waste products.

Several shunts, the ductus venosus, ductus arteriosus, and foramen ovale, are used to move blood around the fetus while bypassing certain parts of the circulatory system because they are not developed yet. In particular, the pulmonary circulation is kept low to protect the lungs. When the infant emerges and takes his or her first breath, the circulatory system adapts to the change of environment, with changes in pressure occurring within the circulatory system to close off the shunts used to reroute blood.

During the weeks after delivery, the adaptations in the circulatory system designed for fetal circulation gradually close up. In some cases, this fails to occur, and the baby experiences health problems. In persistent fetal circulation, also known as persistent pulmonary hypertension, the shunt which keeps blood out of the lungs remains open, and the lungs do not receive enough blood. Supplemental oxygen is used in these cases to prevent damage caused by low oxygenation while the baby has a chance to develop so that the circulatory system can do the work without help.

Complications can sometimes happen with the circulatory system in a newborn as a result of prolonged labor, congenital abnormalities, or difficulty breathing immediately after birth. These problems are usually evident because the baby can become cyanotic, with blue-tinged fingers, lips, and toes, as a result of poor circulation.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By MrsWinslow — On Aug 08, 2011

@Kat919 - I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's the increase just for the mom! The baby's blood is additional. A pregnant woman needs extra blood volume to support her expanding uterus, breast tissue, even her muscles (which are under extra strain). Having more blood volume also protects mom in case of blood loss during childbirth.

By Kat919 — On Aug 08, 2011

Here's something I'm confused about. The article says that the maternal blood supply and the fetal blood supply are "entirely separate." But I know that when you're pregnant, your blood volume increases something like 50% by the middle of your second trimester.

So does that increase include the blood supply for the baby? Or does mom just have a lot more blood in her own circulatory system?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-fetal-circulation.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.