Fetal circulation differs greatly from that of a newborn heart. Although, outwardly appearances may seem similar. By taking an internal look we may be able to distinguish four adaptations that fetal hearts undergo while in utero. First, we must understand that the fetus receives all blood and nutrients from the parental placenta. The fetus receives this blood from the placenta through the umbilical vein. This is the first adaptation that we see in the fetal cardiovascular circulatory system. While the fetal umbilical cord provides the oxygen-rich blood to the fetus there is an opening that branches off the umbilical cord called the ductus venosus. The ductus venosus is the second adaptation that we see in the fetal cardiovascular circulatory
