Does the mother provide blood to the baby?

The correct response is that the baby has its own blood. During pregnancy, the fetus develops its own circulatory system, which is separate from the mother's. While the mother and fetus share a close connection in terms of nutrients, gases, and waste products through the placenta and umbilical cord, they each maintain their own distinct blood supply.

The placenta serves as a crucial interface, allowing the exchange of oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus and facilitating the removal of carbon dioxide and waste from the fetal blood back to the mother. However, it is important to note that the blood of the mother does not flow into the baby's circulatory system; instead, the mother's blood provides these vital substances diffusion through the placental membrane.

This distinction is critical in understanding fetal development and maternal-fetal interactions, emphasizing that while the mother supports the baby's needs, the baby operates with its own unique blood system.