Premature aging of the placenta: what does it mean, signs, what threatens. Aging of the placenta during pregnancy: causes What does premature aging of the placenta mean

The appearance of echographic signs of maturity of the placental tissue before the gestational age, for which such changes are physiological. It does not manifest itself clinically, it is diagnosed only during routine screening. When making a diagnosis, ultrasound data are used. The study is supplemented with dopplerography of placental blood flow, CTG, fetometry, and fetal phonocardiography. Treatment involves the treatment of the underlying disease and the appointment of drugs that improve blood circulation between the pregnant woman and the child - antiplatelet agents, vasodilators, essential phospholipids, amino acid complexes.

General information

Normally, a child's place goes through several stages (stages) of development, corresponding to the characteristics of the growth and maturation of the fetus at certain gestation periods. Physiological changes occurring in the tissues of the placenta allow it to effectively cope with the nutritional, respiratory, excretory and barrier functions. In the presence of some provoking factors that cause an overstrain of compensatory processes, the child's place grows and matures at an accelerated pace. In such cases, they talk about PSP - premature maturation (aging) of the placenta. The relevance of timely diagnosis of the disorder is due to the high probability of its complication of placental insufficiency, which poses a threat to the physiological development of the child.

Causes of premature maturation of the placenta

The early onset of placental tissue aging processes is provoked by any factor that leads to enhanced functioning of the mother-fetus system. The starting point in the development of a disorder can be changes in the mother's body, adverse environmental factors, and the pathological course of pregnancy. According to experts in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, the most common causes of the premature onset of the aging process in a child's place are:

• Extragenital pathology. Accelerated development of placental tissue is more often observed in pregnant women suffering from somatic and endocrine diseases (kidney disease, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism). This is due to an increased load on functionally incompetent organs and systems, as well as changes in microcirculation during pregnancy.
• Chronic diseases of the reproductive organs. Structural changes in the uterine wall that have arisen after abortions, due to chronic endometritis, adenomyosis, submucosal fibroids, lead to a violation of the processes of placentation, and then the functioning of the placenta. Premature onset of maturation is possible with dyshormonal disorders against the background of ovarian diseases (oophoritis, adnexitis, sclerocystic syndrome).
• Gestosis. Characteristic changes in blood circulation in the wall of the uterus and the uterine-placental complex, which occur with a long course of gestosis, increase the functional load on the child's place. At the initial stages, compensatory mechanisms allow maintaining normal blood supply to the fetus. However, in the subsequent failure of compensation accelerates the growth of the placenta, stimulates its premature development, maturation and aging.
• Infectious diseases. A significant load on the placental tissue, which performs a protective function, appears when there is a threat of damage to the fetus by infectious agents. Provoking factors are pathogens of specific genital infections (herpes simplex, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia), other infectious diseases (ARVI, rubella, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus infection).
• Isoserological incompatibility between mother and fetus. A child who has hemolytic disease due to an AB0 or ​​Rh conflict needs a more intensive supply of nutrients and oxygen, which increases the load on the placental tissue. Enhanced functioning in combination with typical dyscirculatory disorders potentiates accelerated growth and early aging of the elements of the fetoplacental complex.

The prerequisites for the development of pathology are also the influence of damaging environmental factors (chemical and vibrational industrial hazards, radiation exposure), the presence of bad habits in a pregnant woman (smoking, the use of psychoactive substances). The disorder is more often diagnosed in women with overweight or underweight, low physical activity and poor nutrition.

Pathogenesis

Premature maturation of the placenta is part of the compensatory mechanisms that occur with fetoplacental insufficiency and subsequently aggravate its course. With an increase in the needs of the fetus for nutrients, the threat of infection with infectious agents, microcirculation disorders in the uteroplacental or fetoplacental complex, the formation and growth of the child's place occur more intensively, as a result of which its tissues reach the stage when their maturation begins earlier, and then aging with the formation of cysts, calcifications, thrombosis, heart attacks. As a result, the functionality of the placenta decreases, placental insufficiency increases.

Classification

The systematization of the stages of placental maturity is based on the features of its physiological development, takes into account changes in the structure of the organ, characteristic of certain stages of pregnancy. Premature maturation is said to be in the case when ultrasound signs of the next stage of maturity are determined before the existing gestational age. Obstetricians-gynecologists distinguish 4 degrees of maturation of the child's place:

• 0 - zero (formation). It lasts from the 2nd to the 30th week of gestation. As the villous tree grows, the placental tissue gradually increases in mass and volume; on ultrasound, it has a homogeneous echo-negative parenchyma without any inclusions.
• I- first (growth). At the 30-34th week of pregnancy, a small amount of echogenic inclusions appears in the placenta due to collagenization of the stroma, a slight waviness of the chorionic plate is observed, and the tissues begin to thicken.
• II- second (maturity). By the 35-39th week of gestational age, the waviness of the chorionic membrane increases, the acoustic density is increased, and many small echo-positive inclusions are determined in the tissues. The organ is functioning normally.
• III- third (aging). From the 37th week of pregnancy, the chorionic plate becomes tortuous, the structure of the placenta is represented by rounded dense lobules with rarefaction in the center. The exchange area and volume of the organ decrease.

Ripening is considered premature if signs of the first degree of maturity appear before 27 weeks of gestation, the second degree - before 32 weeks, the third - before 36 weeks. Such dynamics of development indicates a high probability of functional insufficiency of the organ and decompensation of the adaptive capabilities of the "mother-fetus" complex.

Symptoms of premature maturation of the placenta

The changes that occur during early aging in the placental tissue are not clinically determined and can only be detected instrumentally. In the absence of acute diseases, obvious exacerbation of chronic diseases or signs of pregnancy complications, the patient usually does not present any complaints. In other cases, the symptoms of the underlying pathology prevail. With significant placental insufficiency caused by premature maturation of placental tissues, it is possible to change the motor activity of the fetus - an increase in movements and an increase in their intensity. Rare movements of the child, up to their complete cessation, testify to more serious disorders.

Complications

Since the aging of a child's place is associated with a decrease in its functionality, pathology is usually accompanied by the appearance or intensification of signs of placental insufficiency. According to observations, decompensation of disturbances in the "placenta-fetus" system in 64% of cases is caused precisely by the premature maturation of the organ. Retrospective studies indicate that the appearance of PSP signs at 22-26 weeks of gestation is almost always associated with severe fetal growth retardation and intrauterine hypoxia at the beginning of the third trimester. In extreme cases, pathology leads to antenatal death of the child. With the early onset of dystrophic and sclerotic processes, premature detachment of the placenta, early discharge of amniotic fluid and premature birth are more often observed.

Diagnostics

Treatment of premature maturation of the placenta

The main medical tasks in the management of a pregnant woman with PSP are the correction of disorders that caused the pathology, the normalization of blood circulation in the uteroplacental system, the choice of the optimal method and time of delivery. The tactics of managing a patient at the prenatal stage is determined by the period at which premature aging was diagnosed:

• Early detection of PSP. The detection of metabolic-dystrophic changes in the placental tissue at 20-24 weeks is an indication for examination in a specialized department of pregnancy pathology. In such cases, starting from the 26th week of gestation, dopplometric blood flow control is performed at least once a week, fetal movements are calculated daily. Urgent delivery in case of critical disorders of blood flow in the umbilical cord, CTG signs of fetal hypoxia, cessation of its growth, a sharp decrease in the volume of amniotic fluid, the appearance of other signs of a threat to the child can be performed even at a period of 31-33 weeks.
• Identification of PSP inIIItrimester. According to the results of studies, if the process of premature aging of the placenta is detected at 32-34 and, moreover, 35-37 weeks of gestational age, the probability of a pathological course of pregnancy is significantly reduced. However, for the timely detection of complications, it is necessary to ensure regular ultrasound and specialist supervision. The preferred method of delivery is vaginal delivery. Only in cases where PSP is combined with a significant delay in fetal development, is a caesarean section indicated for the prevention of acute distress syndrome in a child.

Regardless of the timing of the detection of premature maturation of the placental tissue, an obstetrician-gynecologist or a specialized specialist actively treats the underlying genital or extragenital disease using antibiotics, hormone therapy, immunocorrectors, cardiovascular and other medications. In parallel with the correction of the leading disorder, drugs are prescribed to improve the blood supply to the fetus - vasodilators, antiplatelet agents, amino acid complexes, essential phospholipids. Drug therapy is supplemented by non-drug methods - rational physical activity, diet correction, normalization of sleep and rest.

Forecast and prevention

Timely screening and correct medical tactics can reduce the risks of fetoplacental insufficiency during the aging of the placenta, slow down this process and prolong the pregnancy to a time that is safe for the birth of a child. Primary prevention involves pregnancy planning for patients with genital and extragenital diseases, protected sex to protect against specific infections, reasonable prescription of invasive gynecological procedures, smoking cessation, alcohol and drug use. During gestation, for the normal development of the placenta, it is important to take care of protection against possible infection with SARS and other infectious diseases, maintaining hemoglobin levels, sufficient physical activity and a rational diet. Secondary prevention is aimed at early diagnosis of the disorder, including timely registration in the antenatal clinic, regular scheduled examinations and ultrasound.

Special attention is paid to the diagnosis of the state of the placenta during pregnancy because it is the placenta that is the center of life support for the unborn child. The state of health of the fetus directly depends on the state of the placenta. In this light, the diagnosis of "aging of the placenta" sounds like a sentence for a pregnant woman.

The placenta is a unique organ that forms and functions exclusively during pregnancy. During a woman's pregnancy, the placenta goes through all stages of its evolution: formation, growth, aging, self-destruction.

The placenta is formed approximately 10-12 days after conception, immediately after the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterine wall. Over the next 1.5-2 months, there is an active process of placentation - that is, the gradual maturation of the placenta. By the end of the first trimester, the placenta already has a characteristic disc-shaped shape and fully performs the functions assigned to it by nature to protect and nourish the unborn baby.

Important: before the formation of the placenta, which means within the first 14 days after conception, the fertilized egg does not experience the direct influence of all those "harmful things" that the expectant mother allows herself. After the placenta has appeared, all the toxic substances used by the pregnant woman (nicotine, alcohol) directly affect the health of the unborn child.

Having finally formed in the first three months of pregnancy, the placenta subsequently only increases in size in proportion to the growth of the fetus. By the end of the gestation period, its weight is approximately 17-18% of the weight of the fetus, and the size reaches 20 cm in diameter.

In the second half of the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, the placenta begins to "age", which is due to the approaching delivery. Normally, the placenta performs its functions until the baby is born, after which its life-support mission for the baby is considered completed and the placenta "dies" - it ceases to function and is expelled from the body of the woman in labor.

Aging of the placenta: how it happens

There are 2 types of aging of the placenta:

Physiological - a normal stage in the evolution of the placenta, which begins no earlier than 36-37 obstetric weeks. The placenta gradually loses its functions due to the appearance of calcifications (salt deposits), a decrease in area, and thinning in it.

Pathological or premature (early) - threatens the well-being of the unborn child and requires the earliest possible diagnosis and medical intervention. The diagnosis of "early aging of the placenta" is made only on the basis of ultrasound diagnostics. At the same time, doctors evaluate the degree of maturity of the placenta, which should normally correspond to the following indicators:

Important: We can only talk about pathologically early maturation of the placenta if the gestational age clearly does not correspond to the identified degree of placental maturity: for example, 1 degree of maturity was detected before 26 weeks.

How is the placenta diagnosed?

A qualitative assessment of the state of the placenta can only be given by a doctor on the basis of an ultrasound study, during which its following parameters are studied:

• location in the uterus;
• structure or degree of maturity;
• dimensions;
• thickness of the placenta - up to 36 weeks of pregnancy is approximately equal to the gestational age in weeks (fluctuations of 2 mm in both directions are acceptable).

Premature maturation of the placenta is diagnosed if:

• the placenta is more mature than it should be at this stage of pregnancy;
• a secondary decrease in the size of the placenta and its thinning were revealed.

But any of these conditions of the placenta can be classified as physiologically normal if it does not affect the health of the fetus in any way and does not cause him discomfort. After all, it is the unborn child that is the “target” in the case of pathology of the functioning of the placenta. Therefore, any suspicion of early aging of the placenta is a reason to conduct additional studies using Dopplerography and cardiotocography (CTG), with which you can reliably assess the condition of the baby and the degree of his intrauterine suffering.

Important: A pregnant woman cannot independently determine the early aging of her placenta, because most often this condition is completely asymptomatic.

What is the danger of untimely aging of the placenta

Normally, the evolution of the placenta should correspond to the maturation of the fetus. The closer the moment of childbirth, the more the baby is ready to be born and the “older” the placenta becomes. If the placenta matures faster than the pregnancy develops, this means that soon it will not be able to fully meet the needs of the fetus for nutrition and oxygen. First of all, this will most deplorably affect the health of the unborn child. The most common consequences of early aging of the placenta:

1. The child is born with insufficient body weight.
2. Fetoplacental insufficiency is diagnosed, due to which the fetus experiences a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Because of this, the health of the unborn child can be seriously affected. First of all, the nervous system and brain of the baby suffer from a lack of oxygen - in this case, we can talk about a delay in the intrauterine development of the child.
3. Labor may begin prematurely.
4. In severe cases, intrauterine fetal death may occur.

Important: For a pregnant woman, the best insurance against all the adverse consequences of pathological maturation of the placenta is the timely passage of all ultrasound screenings and strict adherence to the recommendations of the attending physician.

The placenta is a formation rich in blood vessels, blood flow, the exchange of nutrients and oxygen between the organisms of the fetus and mother continuously occurs in it. Gradually, some of its parts seem to die off and cease to fulfill their functions. As a result, the neighboring functioning areas of the placenta are subjected to a large load and they, in turn, wear out faster. This is how progressive aging of the placenta normally occurs.

Premature aging of the placenta is caused, first of all, by those factors that negatively affect the state of blood vessels, blood circulation and metabolism in general:

• endocrine diseases - diabetes, thyroid disease;
• chronic heart or kidney disease;
• placenta previa - that is, its attachment near the internal uterine os;
• placental abruption - as a result of which the exfoliated area does not fulfill its functions.

Factors that significantly increase the risk of pathological aging of the placenta are:
any injury to the uterus from the outside: as a result of blows, falls; any injury to the walls of the uterus: as a result of previous abortions or complicated previous births; bad habits of the expectant mother: smoking and drinking alcohol; deficiency or excess body weight of a pregnant woman; diagnosed anemia in a pregnant woman; certain drugs during pregnancy; preeclampsia; multiple pregnancy; past infectious diseases during pregnancy.

Important: The combination of several of these factors greatly increases the risk of early maturation of the placenta in a pregnant woman.

1. First, it is necessary to clarify what character the aging of the placenta is in this particular case. Perhaps we are talking about the physiological aging of the placenta - then this is a variant of the norm and does not require any intervention.
2. If the aging of the placenta is premature, then the pregnant woman herself does not need to do anything. The doctor determines the tactics and strategy of treatment. It is important for a pregnant woman to follow all medical recommendations exactly.
3. It may be necessary to undergo additional studies using dopplerography and cardiotocography to assess the degree of intrauterine comfort of the unborn child. This is a competent step on the part of the doctor - after all, all further treatment (if necessary) will be aimed precisely at improving the condition of the fetus.
4. You should be more attentive to the recommendations of doctors who intend to "rejuvenate the placenta." This is a fundamentally illiterate expression. The aging process of the placenta is irreversible, you can only slow it down and prevent harmful consequences for the baby.
5. With a mild degree of circulatory disorders in the mother-child system, it is possible to confine oneself to outpatient treatment and constant monitoring by the attending physician.
6. In serious cases, a pregnant woman may be advised by a doctor to go to a hospital in order to eliminate placental insufficiency as much as possible. It is not worth risking the health of your unborn child and refusing treatment - in this case, the risk of serious consequences increases many times over.
7. During inpatient treatment, a pregnant woman is given medications to improve blood supply, blood saturation with nutrients and oxygen. If necessary, treatment of concomitant diseases is carried out.
8. Emergency delivery is an extreme measure, which is applied only in case of complete loss of the placenta of its functions. In such a situation, a caesarean section is the only way to save the life of the unborn child.

Important: With timely detection of early aging of the placenta and proper further management of pregnancy, almost all complications associated with this pathology of pregnancy can be avoided.

The degree of maturity and aging of the placenta

The degree of aging of the placenta by weeks. With an increase in the duration of pregnancy, the placenta acquires various changes and gradually ages, such a process is considered normal in the last weeks of gestation.

The placenta is a very important internal organ that arises and exists only during the intrauterine development of a new organism and connects the mother with a small creature, which is still called the fetus.

It performs many vital functions, protects the unborn child from infections, harmful substances, toxins, exchanges nutrients and oxygen, providing the child with an ideal environment.

With an increase in the duration of pregnancy and the growth of the fetus, this organ also grows and changes. The degree of maturity of the placenta is clearly visible during ultrasound examination, when the doctor can, looking at it, determine the degree of maturation.

The placenta matures at a definite time. If the process of its aging proceeds faster than expected, the development of pathology takes place. Indeed, with its rapid aging and wear, the fetus cannot fully receive all the necessary nutrients, the blood will not be able to circulate in full, which affects the lack of oxygen, and this often leads to a delay in the development of the unborn baby, sometimes even death.

Therefore, it is necessary to start observation with a doctor in time, who will prescribe an effective treatment, thanks to which the problems with premature aging of the placenta will disappear.

Signs of premature maturation of the placenta are found only on ultrasound, but in order to better recognize the problem, it is necessary to check not on one histological examination, but at least on two or three, in order to avoid medical errors.

If all conclusions are the same, a fetal CTG should be performed if the placenta does not correspond to the gestational age.

The longer the period, the thicker and stronger this organ becomes; on ultrasound, this change is more and more clearly visible.

The boundary between the placenta and the wall of the uterus is now clearly visible. However, in the last weeks of gestation, it becomes thinner.

The thickness of the placenta at 17 weeks is approximately 17 mm. In its structure, it is quite homogeneous. By 20 weeks, it reaches 22 mm and continues to grow steadily, along with the growth and development of the fetus. At 23-24 weeks, the thickness becomes 25-26 mm, and at 30 weeks this process stops.

Now the placenta begins to strengthen and accumulate calcium. The norm at 34 weeks is its thickness, equal to 34 mm. If there are deviations, this is an alarm for the development and viability of the fetus. In the last two weeks of pregnancy, the placenta decreases, as the child has already matured and does not need such a volume of nutrients and increased protection from harmful factors, as before.

The degree of maturity of the placenta is determined as follows. The period up to 30 weeks refers to the zero degree, 27-34 weeks to the first degree, 34-37 weeks of pregnancy to the second degree, 37 and before delivery - the third degree.

If aging is revealed in the zero degree of placental maturity, then the pregnant woman will be under stricter control and careful observation.

With signs of aging in the second degree of placental maturity, a woman is sent for cardiotocography, which determines the child's heart rate in response to uterine contractions and helps to identify fetal hypoxia in the early stages.

Aging, fixed in the third degree of placental maturity, is the most dangerous and can cause suffering to the child. Since at this time the pregnancy is considered full-term, they begin to stimulate childbirth.

Late aging of the placenta is also not the norm; often with such a problem, children with malformations are born.

On an ultrasound, a doctor may suspect placenta previa when it is found at the bottom of the uterus. Although in most cases this does not cause any harm to the fetus, a woman should protect herself from possible bleeding, postpone sexual activity for a while, visiting a bath, a hot bath, etc., and also avoid heavy physical exertion.

With a partial presentation, childbirth takes place naturally, and with a full presentation, a caesarean section is performed.

Sometimes an accreta of the placenta occurs, when small vessels and villi, with the help of which the organ is attached to the uterus, grow deeper than it should be normal. With such a deviation, all of the above requirements must be met. During childbirth, the placenta accreta is removed manually by an obstetrician under general anesthesia.

Quite often during pregnancy, placental insufficiency is detected, in case of violation of the mother's blood circulation in the vessels. This adversely affects the development of the child, since it is not fully provided with the necessary substances and oxygen. Then a woman is recommended to walk longer in the fresh air, engage in a specially selected set of exercises, and drink vitamins. Childbirth takes place naturally, but there is a risk of lying down for preservation.

With premature detachment of the placenta, there is a sharp pain in the lower abdomen, bleeding, a decrease in body temperature, and an increase in heart rate.

It is urgent to go to the ambulance and spend some time in the hospital for treatment.

There are cases when the placenta dies, in medicine it is called necrosis, blood circulation worsens, which leads to a lack of oxygen supply to the fetus. A pregnant woman is prescribed drugs that improve blood circulation. But you will have to give birth, most likely, with the help of a caesarean section.

There can be several reasons for the early maturation of the placenta. A great risk arises if the mother during pregnancy smoked and drank alcohol, drugs. Living in a heavily polluted area causes the same harm, because in order to protect the fetus from negative factors, the placenta has to work hard, and this speeds up the process of wearing it out.

The same thing happens with the mother's malnutrition, with her illnesses, especially the risk of diabetes mellitus and the thyroid gland. In addition, with past infectious diseases, in addition to aging of the placenta, oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios appear. Rhesus conflict, too high pressure are also included in a number of reasons.

There are other factors, the above are just a few.

When prescribing treatment, a pregnant woman is taken for blood and urine tests, and the necessary examination is carried out. After that, vitamins are prescribed that eliminate the causes of placental aging and recommend rest. The drugs prescribed by the doctor help to improve the blood circulation of the placenta and facilitate its work.

So that pregnancy is not overshadowed by the problem of premature aging of the placenta, for prevention purposes it is recommended to walk in the fresh air for at least two hours, lead a healthy lifestyle, completely eliminating bad habits, alcohol, cigarettes, etc., eat healthy high-quality food rich in vitamins and minerals elements, engage in special gymnastics, which not only helps to ensure a good blood flow, but also strengthens the muscles involved in the process of childbirth, thereby facilitating their process.

But, of course, during pregnancy you need to protect yourself from various diseases.

The condition of the placenta has an important influence on the course of pregnancy. Its maturity is necessary for the full protection and nutrition of the fetus. The duration of the "life" of the placenta is small. At the end of pregnancy, the so-called physiological aging begins. However, often the placenta ages prematurely. Why does premature aging of the placenta occur, what threatens, and how to prevent the development of this condition, we will discuss in this article.

Degrees of maturity of the placenta

As we have already said, at the end of pregnancy, physiological aging of the placenta occurs, accompanied by a decrease in its surface area and the appearance of areas of salt deposition (calcifications). Aging, the placenta goes through 4 stages of maturity (according to the classification of Grannum P.A. 1979):

0 degree; while the placenta has a homogeneous or fine-grained ultrasound structure; its thickness varies within 1.5-2 cm; the chorionic plate does not yet give an echographic reflection; the boundary between the placental tissue and the muscular layer of the uterus is not clearly defined; fruit surface has smooth or wavy contours; normally 0 degree is determined before 30 weeks of pregnancy;

I degree; in the placenta, a medium-grained ultrasound structure is determined; thickness increases from 2 to 3 cm; a reflection from the chorionic plate appears, it becomes sinuous; the border between the placenta and the uterus is clearly defined; I degree is noted at 30-34 weeks;

II degree (lobular placenta II); its thickness ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 cm; on the placental septa there are single or multiple inclusions; observed at 34-37 weeks;

III degree (lobular placenta III); there is a significant number of inclusions in the structure of the placenta, on the interlobar septa and on its maternal surface; III degree is typical for 37-40 weeks.

Determining the degree of maturation is necessary to assess the ability of the placenta to supply the baby with a sufficient amount of nutrients. The discrepancy between the degree of maturity of the placenta and the gestational age is accompanied by the risk of developing various complications.

Premature aging of the placenta: who is at risk?

Premature aging of the placenta is diagnosed in cases where the II degree of maturity appears before 32 weeks, and III - before 36 weeks. This pathological process can be caused by various changes in the placenta: thrombosis, inflammation, sclerosis and dystrophy. The most common causes of premature aging of the placenta:

• late toxicosis (preeclampsia), preeclampsia,;
• endocrine diseases of the mother (diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease);
• bronchial asthma;
• epilepsy;
• intrauterine infection (cytomegalovirus, herpes, mycoplasmosis, chlamydia, toxoplasmosis);
• respiratory viral infections;
• HIV infection;
• intrauterine growth retardation syndrome, fetal chromosomal abnormalities;
• oligohydramnios;
• smoking, drug addiction.

Premature aging of the placenta requires a mandatory examination of a woman in order to identify complications, if any.

Premature aging of the placenta: diagnosis and

Early diagnosis of premature aging of the placenta is extremely important. To assess the condition of the fetus of a pregnant woman, a dynamic examination is carried out. It includes:

• Ultrasound monitoring of fetal growth;
• - this is a modern modification of ultrasound, allows you to assess the condition of the vessels of the uterus, placenta, umbilical cord, middle cerebral artery of the fetus;
• - recording the heart rate of the fetus against the background of the contractile activity of the uterus;
• monitoring the level of placental lactogen and estriol in the blood of a pregnant woman.

Premature aging of the placenta can provoke a number of complications. Here are the main ones:

• feto-placental insufficiency;
• intrauterine growth retardation,
• fetal hypoxia;
• premature detachment of the placenta;
• low birth weight of the baby;
• bleeding after childbirth;
• stillbirth.

The risk of these complications increases in women with premature aging of the placenta (III degree of maturity) before 33 weeks of pregnancy. If this diagnosis is established between the 33rd and 36th weeks of pregnancy, the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth is much less.

Premature aging of the placenta: management tactics

If a pregnant woman with premature aging of the placenta during the examination did not reveal violations of the blood flow of the placenta and fetus, then there is no cause for concern. Enough dynamic observation.

When signs of fetal hypoxia and fetoplacental insufficiency are detected, therapy is prescribed to eliminate the cause that caused premature aging of the placenta (infection, preeclampsia, diabetes mellitus, etc.), as well as drugs that improve blood supply to the placenta and fetal nutrition: antiplatelet agents (curantil, cardiomagnyl ), magne B6, folic acid, actovegin, etc.

As a result of the treatment, the blood circulation of the "children's place" is restored, the blood flow in the vessels of the uterus and the fetus increases, oxygen transport increases, and the energy supply of the baby improves significantly. If medical therapy fails, hospitalization is required.

The choice of the method of delivery of a pregnant woman with premature aging of the placenta is carried out depending on the obstetric situation. With a delay in intrauterine development of the fetus, as well as a threat to its life (the presence of critical changes in blood flow, a sharp decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid, etc.),

Happy pregnancy!

I talk about the competent management of pregnancy, preparation for childbirth and postpartum recovery at webinars. They have a record:

Sale!