The maternal side of the placenta is the side that attaches to the uterine wall. This side looks very knobby and you can see the bumpy lobes of the placenta. Your doctor or midwife will exam this side of the placenta to ensure that the placenta is complete and that no parts of the placenta are left inside your uterus. They may also check for calcifications of the placenta, which is a sign of aging.
Photo © Robin Elise Weiss
