placental growth follows a sigmoid curve that plateaus
mid-gestation. Maternal and vascular adaptations occur to
maintain the nutrient delivery system between the placenta
and the fetus.
Amino acid and glucose transport accounts for
the exponential fetal growth by increasing muscle bulk and
longitudinal growth of 1.5 % per day. After 28 weeks gestation,
the majority of the fetal fat gain occurs with continued
increase in the fat stores up to 16 % in preparation for
the extra uterine life [12•].