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Fetal Circulation
How does the fetal circulatory system work?
During pregnancy, the fetal circulatory system works differently than after
birth:
• The fetus is connected by the umbilical cord to the placenta, the organ
that develops and implants in the mother's uterus during pregnancy.
• Through the blood vessels in the umbilical cord, the fetus receives all
the necessary nutrition, oxygen, and life support from the mother
through the placenta.
• Waste products and carbon dioxide from the fetus are sent back
through the umbilical cord and placenta to the mother's circulation to
be eliminated.
Blood from the mother enters the fetus through the vein in the umbilical
cord. It goes to the liver and splits into three branches. The blood then
reaches the inferior vena cava, a major vein connected to the heart.
Inside the fetal heart:
• Blood enters the right atrium, the chamber on the upper right side of
the heart. Most of the blood flows to the left side through a special
fetal opening between the left and right atria, called the foramen
ovale.
• Blood then passes into the left ventricle (lower chamber of the heart)
and then to the aorta, (the large artery coming from the heart).
• From the aorta, blood is sent to the head and upper extremities. After
circulating there, the blood returns to the right atrium of the heart
through the superior vena cava.
• About one-third of the blood entering the right atrium does not flow
through the foramen ovale, but, instead, stays in the right side of the
heart, eventually flowing into the pulmonary artery.
Because the placenta does the work of exchanging oxygen (O2) and carbon
dioxide (CO2) through the mother's circulation, the fetal lungs are not used
for breathing. Instead of blood flowing to the lungs to pick up oxygen and
then flowing to the rest of the body, the fetal circulation shunts (bypasses)
most of the blood away from the lungs. In the fetus, blood is shunted from
the pulmonary artery to the aorta through a connecting blood vessel called
the ductus arteriosus.
Blood circulation after birth:
With the first breaths of air the baby takes at birth, the fetal circulation
changes. A larger amount of blood is sent to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
• Because the ductus arteriosus (the normal connection between the
aorta and the pulmonary valve) is no longer needed, it begins to wither
and close off.
• The circulation in the lungs increases and more blood flows into the left
atrium of the heart. This increased pressure causes the foramen ovale
to close and blood circulates normally.
 SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

BONIFACIO STREET BAGUIO CITY

COLLEGE OF NURSING

(PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS)

SUBMITTED TO
MS. GRAIL GOMEZ
(CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR)

SUBMITTED BY:
RAYRAY, EDEESON
ABAN, APRIL GRACE
BALDERAMA, KARREL JOY
CABINTA, AMY GRACE
PALIGAN, DAPHNE
PARSONS, STEPHANIE GRACE
SANTOS, MARICAR

DECEMBER 9, 2009