Sheep afterbirth lying on straw. This afterbirth has been expelled from a domestic sheep (Ovis aries) following the birth of her lamb. The afterbirth consists of the placenta and its membranes. The placenta is the structure in the uterus that supports and nourishes the developing foetus, allowing it to obtain nutrients from the bloodstream of the mother. The umbilical cord connects the developing foetus to the placenta, and various membranes surround the placenta and foetus. Photographed in the spring.