The placenta is the organ that ensures normal growth and development of the fetus. Maturation of the placenta has four stages. From the beginning of pregnancy until the thirtieth week there is a process of formation. Until the thirty-second week, it is growing. The stage of maturation is from the thirty-fourth to the thirty-sixth week, and from the thirty-seventh week of pregnancy, the placenta is aging. After birth, this organ goes out as a last.
The degree of maturity of the placenta is determined by ultrasound.
What does premature ripening of the placenta mean?
The processes of maturation and aging, occurring with a slight lead time, can be associated with the individual characteristics of the organism and bear no threat to the fetus and the mother.
If the degree of maturity of the placenta exceeds the length of pregnancy with a significant rupture, this means that the woman is likely to prematurely aging the placenta. To this diagnosis should be taken with responsibility, because the rapid maturation of the placenta worsens its functionality, and the baby will not be able to fully receive oxygen and nutrients from the mother's body. During aging, the area of the exchange surface decreases, in some areas salt may be deposited.
The more dangerous the premature maturation of the placenta, it is hypoxia and fetal hypotrophy. Such a pathology can cause a violation of the baby's blood supply. Premature aging of the placenta threatens to detach the placenta, untimely discharge of amniotic fluid and miscarriage of the fetus. This pathology can cause deviations in the development of the brain, and in some cases even miscarriage. To avoid these pathologies, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment on time and be constantly monitored by a doctor.
The causes of premature ripening of the placenta
This pathology can provoke several factors:
- deviation from the norm of the body weight of the pregnant woman, it can be both overweight and leanness;
- disruption of the structure of the walls of the uterus and its nutrition - these changes may occur due to a history of abortions or severe childbirth;
- damage to the uterus as a result of mechanical influences;
- diseases of the endocrine system, liver, urinary system;
- pathology of the circulatory system;
- chronic diseases, infectious diseases;
- smoking;
- Rhesus-conflict ;
- prolonged late gestosis;
- toxicosis of high severity.
Usually, with premature aging of the placenta, there are no signs. Determine this process is possible only with the help of ultrasound. During the study, measure the density of the placenta and compare the findings with the duration of pregnancy. Also, the data of its thickness and accumulations of calcium salts are studied.
Treatment of premature ripening of the placenta
Treatment of such pathology begins after receiving the confirmatory results of the complex examination. First of all, eliminate risk factors and apply complex drug therapy
In some cases, hospitalization is necessary. After the passed course of treatment, repeat ultrasound, doppler and KTG. For the birth of a healthy child, labor often begins before the term. In this case, the stimulation of labor is medically performed.
Knowing what it means premature ripening of the placenta and what are its consequences, the expectant mother should be attentive to herself, follow the doctor's recommendations and not engage in self-medication.