Most pregnant women are prone to excessiveanxiety and fear for themselves and the baby. That is why, having heard the words "premature aging of the placenta" at the next inspection, they are horrified. Is it really dangerous? What are the causes and consequences of this condition?
Functions of the placenta
This organ is formed in the body of a woman in the process of fetal development. The placenta is necessary for the baby, as it performs the following functions:
- Providing oxygen and nutrition to the fetus. The placenta consists of a large number of blood vessels through which the necessary nutrients are supplied to the child’s body.
- Development of the necessary hormones to prepare a woman for childbirth and motherhood, as well as breastfeeding.
- Filtration of maternal blood from harmful substances to the child.
- Removal of the waste products of the fetus through the bloodstream.
The placenta is a vital organwhich ensures the safety of the fetus until the birth, therefore, any changes in its structure should be alerted and become a reason for contacting the antenatal clinic.
What is premature ripening?
Normal degree of maturity afterbirth shouldmatch the duration of pregnancy. What does premature maturation of the placenta mean? This term refers to the aging process. It does not correspond to the duration of pregnancy.
33 weeks premature maturation of the placentathreatens to reduce its functionality, which greatly complicates the further normal development of the baby in the uterus. Failure to perform "duties" leads to a lack of oxygen for fetal respiration. As a result, hypoxia, early rupture of the amniotic fluid may occur, and serious pathologies of the child’s development will appear.
The degree of maturation of the placenta
The organ develops from the moment of attachment and the beginning of the growth of the embryo and continues to grow until the eighth month of pregnancy. There are several stages of maturation of the placenta:
- From 2 to 30 weeks of pregnancy, the growth and development of the organ.
- From 30 to 33 weeks, there is a 2 stage of maturation, when the placenta increases in size.
- From 34 to 37 weeks of pregnancy maturation occurs, during which it is finally formed.
- After this period begins the natural aging of the body and preparation for natural extraction during labor.
Premature maturation of the placenta is diagnosed in the case of preparing the organ for childbirth well before the required period.
Causes of pathology
The following factors can provoke early aging of the afterbirth:
- The negative impact on the woman's body of toxic substances, including smoking and the use of alcoholic beverages.
- The presence of chronic diseases of the cardiovascular and excretory systems.
- Disturbances in the thyroid gland.
- Previous heavy labor or abortion.
- Improper diet during pregnancy.
- Gestosis is a condition in which a pregnant woman experiences a state of toxemia in the later periods.
- Bearing multiple pregnancies.
- The presence of uterine trauma or infectious diseases of the body.
- The difference between the Rhesus factors of the blood of mother and child. As a result, the parental organism begins to perceive the fetus as a foreign body and reject it in every possible way.
- Too large or underweight mother.
In addition, diabetes mellitus, some kidney diseases, and impaired uterine wall structure can also cause the premature maturation of the placenta.
Diagnosis of pathology
Unfortunately, at week 34 prematurematuration of the placenta has no pronounced symptoms by which a woman could determine the pathology. In this case, you should rely on routine check-ups during pregnancy, which can reveal the problem. The following methods are used to diagnose the condition:
- Ultrasound diagnosis allows you to visually determine the presence of a problem. In addition, ultrasound is a relatively inexpensive and safe method for the determination of pathologies.
- After an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis can beassigned cardiotocography procedure. It is the study of the activity of the fetus, which makes it clear whether the child receives a sufficient amount of nutrients.
Pathological condition is considered premature maturation of the placenta at week 20 and up to 36.
Possible danger
At 32 weeks gestation, premature maturation of the placenta can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. It faces the following troubles:
- barrier functions of the placenta are reduced, as a result of which the fetus becomes more susceptible to various infections and viruses that can cause developmental defects;
- in the early stages (up to 23 weeks of gestation), aging of the placenta can lead to fading of pregnancy due to insufficient oxygen and nutrients;
- due to inadequate intake of essential trace elements through the blood vessels, the child’s development can be slowed down.
Наибольшая опасность состоит в том, что сама the woman does not feel her condition. It can only be alerted that suddenly the baby has become more or less active in the womb, however, many pregnant women find out about their condition only on a planned ultrasound.
Treatment of pathology
Unfortunately, at week 32 prematurematuration of the placenta can not be treated. However, there is a complex that helps to stop the aging process and to establish a normal communication between the placenta, mother and child. It includes the following points:
- Даже на таком позднем сроке беременности не late to quit smoking, despite the myths that it is a big stress for the fetus. The child is exposed to much greater negative influence under the influence of harmful substances that enter his body through the placenta. She, in turn, is not able to filter harmful substances from cigarette smoke, so the process of early aging starts.
- If you have a history of diabetes mellitus, you should closely monitor the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood, as their excessive amount may be the cause of premature maturation.
- When inflammatory processes are detected in the uterus, it is necessary to promptly treat them.
- In case of late toxicosis or preeclampsia, pregnant women are prescribed drugs that reduce the toxic effect on the tissues of the internal genital organs.
In some cases, it is necessary to maintain pregnancy in order to avoid the threat of miscarriage or fetal death:
- "Trental", "Actovegin" and "Curantil", which are used to improve blood circulation.
- Vitamins A, E, C are necessary to ensure the transport function of the placenta.
- Preparations to reduce the tone of the uterus, in the absence of contraindications most often appointed "Ginipral."
When making a diagnosis in the 33rd week of pregnancy- "premature maturation of the placenta" - it is important not only to prescribe adequate treatment, but also to keep under control the condition of the woman and the fetus. Often a pregnant woman is placed in the hospital to save the child.
Accompanying illnesses
Often, pathological aging of the placenta is accompanied by diseases that also require treatment. Most often this occurs at 20-27 weeks of pregnancy.
- For genital infections, the drug "Geviran" is prescribed, which must be taken for 10 days.
- Chlamydia is treated with Vilprafen.
- For the treatment of mycoplasmosis, Proteflazid or Riboxin is used.
- Toxoplasmosis requires daily folic acid intake, Daraprima.
These infections can be infected by contact with street and pet animals, as well as during unprotected sexual intercourse.
In the absence of the necessary treatment, they can significantly affect the development of the fetus.
Preventive measures
It is impossible to have a 100% certainty that premature aging of the placenta will not occur. However, if you follow simple guidelines, you can significantly increase the chances of easy carrying and childbirth:
- When planning a future pregnancy, a woman should undergo a full diagnosis and pre-treat existing diseases that may affect the conception and development of the fetus.
- It should be in advance of pregnancy to abandon such bad habits as smoking, drinking alcohol.
- A woman should have moderate exercise and a normal daily routine.
- During the planning period of pregnancy, it is necessary to regularly visit the gynecologist in order to timely detect the pathology.
- After consulting the doctor, you can start taking multivitamins, folic acid, which will help to saturate the woman's body with essential nutrients that are important for carrying a fetus.
- Observe the diet and exclude harmful foods.
- During pregnancy, a woman should not ignore a doctor's prescription and undergo all necessary examinations, including ultrasound and Doppler sonography.
- Chronic diseases during pregnancy should be monitored more closely.
In most cases, premature aging of the placenta does not pose a great danger, but requires constant support and monitoring of the condition of the pregnant woman.
