2 degree of placenta maturity at 39 weeks. Placental maturity, premature aging and late maturation

Birthday
12.03.2020

Placenta- “connecting” between the mother’s body and the fetus during the period. This is a unique organ, because it is through it that all the substances necessary for development reach the fetus. That is why the overall outcome of the gestation period depends on the condition of this organ. The degree of maturity of the placenta is one of the important indicators of the functioning of the placental complex.

Placenta - what is it?

In Latin the word " placenta" means "pie, flatbread." It's all about how the placenta looks: the organ received this name due to its flattened shape, because in appearance it resembles a flat disk.

When does the placenta form during pregnancy?

Its formation begins only when conception occurs, and when the child is born, it is excreted along with the membranes.

The placenta performs the following functions:

  • respiratory - through it oxygen enters the fetus and carbon dioxide comes out;
  • barrier – protects the fetus from those harmful substances that are in the mother’s blood;
  • nutritional – nutrients come from mother to fetus;
  • hormonal - produces a number of factors that determine the normal development of pregnancy;
  • excretory - waste products of the fetus are excreted through it.

The development of this organ does not occur immediately after conception. In the fourth week of pregnancy, the fertilized egg surrounds chorion - This is a special fleecy fabric. The formation of the early placenta occurs around the ninth week. It is formed by chorionic villi that penetrate the upper layer of the uterus and connect with the blood vessels there.

By the end of gestation, the placenta already weighs about half a kilogram, and its diameter is 15-20 cm. The permeability of the placenta membrane increases until the 32nd week of pregnancy. After all, every week the size of the fetus increases, and it requires more and more oxygen and nutrients.

Accordingly, in order to provide such nutrition, the number of vessels in the child's place increases, and the membrane becomes thinner. After the thirty-second week, the development of the placenta stops and it begins to age. If this happens earlier, it is diagnosed early aging of the placenta .

Aging of the placenta

In placental tissue, aging processes begin as early as 33 weeks of gestation. This is a normal, natural phenomenon.

In medicine, there is a version that it is at maximum maturity of the child's place that the birth process begins. Since by the end of pregnancy the placenta no longer performs its functions, stress hormones are released into the mother’s body from the child’s body, and this leads to the onset of contractions.

During the development of pregnancy, the doctor looks for all internal changes during an ultrasound examination. And the degree of maturity is also determined during the ultrasound process, taking into account certain parameters.

Based on the duration of pregnancy, the degrees of maturity are determined as follows:

  • degree of maturity 0 – up to 30 weeks;
  • degree of maturity of the placenta 1 – 27-36 weeks;
  • degree of maturity of the placenta 2 – 34-39 weeks;
  • degree of placenta maturity 3 – after 36 weeks.

To determine what degree of aging - first, second or third - the doctor determines its thickness, looks for calcium deposits and cysts.

Not so long ago, the maturity of a child's place was viewed differently than it is now. Thus, it was believed that with premature aging, there is a high risk of antenatal fetal death, and low-weight children are born. However, after scientists conducted a series of studies, such interdependence was refuted.

If a woman has a third degree of maturity before 35 weeks (for example, at 32 weeks), she is considered to be at increased risk.

A gynecologist will explain in more detail about the characteristics of maturity, for example, the degree of placenta maturity 2, what this means.

In the table below you can clearly see the degrees of ripeness by week.

Table of degrees of placenta maturity by week of pregnancy

This parameter is a very important point in the diagnosis, since deviations from the norm can be evidence of pathologies. There is a special table of placental thickness by week, which indicates the normal limits.

The thickness of the placenta by week is determined by ultrasound, which is performed after 20 weeks. If the process of bearing a baby proceeds normally, then the greatest thickness of the placental tissue is observed at 34 weeks, and at 36 weeks. its growth stops, and its thickness may even decrease slightly.

Provided that the afterbirth is too thin, it is diagnosed placental hypoplasia . However, as a rule, this is not a very threatening phenomenon, unless a significant decrease in size is noted. Very often, such deviations are associated with genetic disposition, the influence of unfavorable factors, and diseases of the woman. If this is due to illness, treatment is carried out; in all other cases, supportive therapy is practiced.

This indicator is also influenced by the physique of the expectant mother. Short, thin women have smaller baby seats than tall, curvy women. If thickening of the placental tissue is diagnosed, this condition can threaten the termination of pregnancy. But with the right approach to treatment, pregnancy can be saved.

Thickening may occur due to Rhesus conflict , iron deficiency anemia , transferred infections . In case of serious deviations, careful monitoring of the expectant mother is important. The fact is that with the rapid growth of a child's place, its active aging occurs. When thickened, hormonal function is disrupted, which can negatively affect pregnancy.

However, if after a series of additional examinations the doctor concludes that the fetus is developing normally, only careful observation will be needed.

Why does the placenta age too early?

If an old placenta is diagnosed during pregnancy, this may be due to various factors.

Hypertension

Gestational, that is, increased pressure during pregnancy is very often associated with the function of the placenta. Due to various reasons, defective blood vessels are formed in the child's place, and this affects both the condition of the fetus and the health of the woman. As a result, the expectant mother develops high blood pressure, sometimes, in severe cases, preeclampsia . A child, developing in the womb, does not receive enough oxygen due to defective blood vessels. As a result, the placenta has to “work” at full capacity, which is why it ages prematurely.

Infections

If the expectant mother falls ill with any infectious disease, then the placental tissue works more actively. It filters the mother's blood from viruses, allows more oxygen and antibodies to pass through to the baby in order to intensify the fight against the disease. As a result, its maturation and, accordingly, aging accelerates.

Eating Excessive Calcium

Sediments calcium – one of the main signs of aging of a child’s place. The closer to the end of pregnancy, the more calcifications determined in the placenta. And if a woman’s body constantly receives a large amount of this microelement, then gradually calcium replaces the placental tissue, which provokes its active premature aging. This often happens if a pregnant woman takes vitamin supplements uncontrollably.

What does early maturation of the placenta lead to?

For every expectant mother who is interested in the dangers of early maturation of the placenta during pregnancy, it is important to realize that this phenomenon in itself is not a threat to the health of the mother and baby. Only if other signs of fetal aging are observed during aging can a health threat be noted. Such signs are the following manifestations:

  • Severe intrauterine developmental delay.
  • Violation of the fetal-placental and uteroplacental blood supply.
  • Presence of signs of Rh conflict in the fetus.
  • Expressed hypertension at the mother's.
  • Diabetes in a pregnant woman (decompensated).

It is important to understand that even if there is no premature maturation of the placenta at 32 weeks of pregnancy or at another period, the conditions listed above are dangerous in themselves. In such conditions, special therapy is required, and in some cases, urgent delivery is necessary.

What is an immature placenta and why is it dangerous?

If the placenta does not reach 2-3 degrees of maturity by the end of pregnancy, it is considered immature. This is a fairly rare occurrence; as a rule, it is associated with errors in the diagnostic process.

For example, if there is a Rh conflict between mother and fetus, then the baby’s place may “swell.” When an ultrasound examination is performed, due to the edematous smoothness, the placenta looks like it is at 0 degree of maturity. Therefore, an immature placenta is not a dangerous phenomenon, but such signs can often mask dangerous complications for the mother and child.

To determine the degree of maturity of the fetus and placenta and to diagnose or exclude dangerous conditions, additional research methods are practiced.

Ultrasound with Doppler

It is impossible to assess the child’s condition based on information about the degree of maturity of the placenta. Therefore, it is the data obtained from dopplerography , are considered to be indicators of a normal pregnancy.

Data is obtained due to the reflection of ultrasonic waves from a variety of biological media. They make it possible to assess blood circulation through the placenta. Provided that everything goes well, after 20 weeks the blood resistance in the vessels that connect the uterus, fetus and baby's place decreases. Thanks to stable resistance, oxygen and nutrients are constantly supplied to the fetus. If a good result was obtained during an ultrasound with Doppler, then there is no need to be afraid, even if during an ultrasound examination the placental tissue looks older than it should be at this moment.

It is also important to take into account that the opposite situation is possible: placental tissue may be of normal maturity, but it may not perform its functions as needed. Accordingly, this will negatively affect the child’s condition. Therefore, it is important to carry out regular examinations.

Cardiotocography CTG

This method is good because it makes it possible to assess the baby’s current condition. With the help of special sensors, it is possible to detect the fetal heartbeat, count the number of its movements, and register how the uterus contracts. The totality of the data obtained allows us to determine even the most minor disturbances in the functions of the placenta.

If an ultrasound examination reveals premature aging of the placental tissue, then it is necessary to perform CTG and Dopplerography to determine the condition of the child.

How to stop the aging process?

If the doctor, based on research results, has concluded that the placental tissue is aging prematurely, then pregnant women, of course, worry about this and try to find out how to “rejuvenate” it. If it is diagnosed that aging of the placenta is stage 3 during pregnancy, or aging of a lesser degree, any attempts at “rejuvenation” are pointless.

Every expectant mother needs to be aware of the following:

  • Immediately early maturation of the child's place is not a threatening condition for either the mother or the baby.
  • If ultrasound reveals aging of the placental tissue, additional studies need to be performed - CTG and Dopplerography. However, this fact is not a reason to worry.
  • In the process of determining the maturity of a child's place, diagnostic errors occur quite often.
  • If, in the course of additional studies, normal indicators of the fetal heartbeat and placental blood flow are determined, then the expectant mother has no reason to worry about the aging of the placenta.
  • Provided that Dopplerography and CTG determine a pronounced fetus , then the condition of the pregnant woman and the child must be monitored. The doctor makes a decision on treatment or emergency delivery.
  • There are no drugs or methods to slow down the aging process of placental tissue.
  • Currently, there is no evidence base regarding the use of drugs, multivitamin complexes, etc. for this purpose.

How to prevent early aging of the placenta?

To prevent such manifestations, a woman must be very careful in planning her pregnancy and in her lifestyle while carrying a baby. It is important to practice the following preventive measures:

  • plan pregnancy;
  • do not drink alcohol or smoke;
  • practice moderate physical activity;
  • to walk outside;
  • carry out screenings, CTG, Doppler ultrasound in a timely manner;
  • accept ;
  • for anemia, take iron supplements;
  • try to avoid crowds of people to prevent infection with infectious diseases.

If a woman is worried about certain indicators obtained during the examination, she should definitely seek additional advice from a doctor. Perhaps he will order additional examinations.

2nd degree of placenta maturity

During pregnancy, the placenta is the most important organ that connects mother and child and ensures the normal functioning of the fetus. Over time, as the embryo develops, the placenta tends to age, or, in scientific terms, goes through several stages of maturity.

The maturation of the placenta is a natural process that is necessary to fully provide the unborn child with all the necessary nutrients.

The second degree of placental maturity normally corresponds to the period from 34 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. During this period, the slightly wavy surface of the placenta becomes more lumpy, and multiple clear echo-positive inclusions appear.

The indicator of placental maturity is usually determined using ultrasound diagnostics, as is the thickness of the placenta, which is also an important characteristic of the normal functioning of the fetus. At stage 2 of placental maturity, its thickness should be in the range from 28 to 49 mm.

A discrepancy between the thickness of the placenta and the stage of maturity indicates a disruption in the course of pregnancy and a possible threat to the fetus.

Disorders and pathologies associated with the degree of maturity of the placenta

As mentioned above, the placenta of the second degree of maturity usually corresponds to 34-37 weeks of pregnancy. If, on an ultrasound, a woman is diagnosed with stage 2 placenta maturity at an earlier stage, they speak of premature aging of the placenta.

Premature aging of the placenta

It is characterized by earlier development of the placenta (aging), which entails possible conditions that threaten the health of the fetus.

Most often they talk about fetal hypoxia, that is, insufficient oxygen supply, which leads to oxygen starvation.

At the same time, due to insufficient supply of nutrients to the unborn baby, disturbances in brain function are possible, and for the birth process - its premature onset and severe course.

Causes of premature aging of the placenta:

  • diabetes mellitus and other hormonal disorders in the mother’s body;
  • abortions that a woman had before the onset of a real pregnancy;
  • endocrine diseases of the expectant mother (thyroid disease);
  • late toxicosis - gestosis;
  • maternal smoking or alcohol consumption;
  • chronic disorders of the cardiovascular system;
  • hepatitis and other liver diseases;
  • diseases of the urinary system;
  • infections of the genital tract and uterus.

However, despite such alarming data, a woman who is diagnosed with stage 2 placental maturity at less than 33 weeks should not panic. The doctor will definitely prescribe additional tests and studies on the blood flow of the fetus.

If no pathology is detected, then the woman has nothing to worry about. If a real threat to the normal functioning of the fetus is confirmed, effective treatment in a hospital is prescribed.

As a rule, a course of medication is aimed at restoring the functions of the placenta to fully supply the child with all nutrients.

2 degree of placental maturity at a period that does not correspond to the norm does not always mean the presence of pathology.

If the doctor does not notice a real threat of premature birth, then, most likely, a course of treatment with Curantil or other appropriate medications will be prescribed at home.

In any case, a woman should strictly adhere to the doctor’s recommendations and come for appointments regularly.

Placenta maturity by week The placenta grows and develops along with the baby it protects. And it’s good when its maturation coincides with the development of the fetus week by week. Our article will talk about the four degrees of maturity of the child's place, as well as about the problems that may arise during pregnancy due to pathologies in the process. Degree of maturity of the placenta 3 Every little thing is important for the mother and her child during pregnancy. And the state of the placenta, in which the child lives for 9 months of his intrauterine life, is far from a trifle. In our article we will look at ultrasound signs of placenta maturity, as well as the reasons for its premature aging.
The degree of maturity of the placenta How important is the degree of maturity of the placenta for the child developing in the mother’s tummy? What do the medical indicators of this maturity mean and what are the norms? How can you find out about the condition of the placenta? – Read the article for answers to these and other questions about the development of the placenta. Thickness of the placenta by week How does the thickness of the placenta affect the development of the fetus in the womb? What is the normal thickness of the placental organ? What does this indicator say about the degree of maturity of the placenta and what are possible pathologies depending on the level of thickness? – You will find the answers in our article.

Source: https://womanadvice.ru/2-stepen-zrelosti-placenty

Degrees of placenta maturity

The placenta, or as it is also called, “baby place” and afterbirth, is a special organ that develops in a woman’s body during pregnancy. The duration of functioning of the placenta is 40 weeks, that is, the gestational age. After the birth of a child, the “baby place” becomes unnecessary, since all its functions are completed and therefore it is removed from the mother’s uterus.

However, like any organ, the placenta, during the short period of gestation, goes through all stages of development - from conception to death. Immediately after birth, the placenta itself separates from the walls of the uterus and thus ends its functioning. But all stages of life - birth, development, formation, aging and death - the placenta manages to go through in 9 months.

Although the afterbirth is considered a short-lived organ, it is extremely important for the proper growth of the fetus in the womb. Throughout pregnancy, it is necessary to monitor its condition, since it is the placenta that is responsible for the life support of the baby. The functioning of the “baby place” is monitored using ultrasound.

Development and main functions of the placenta

The development of the placenta begins at the moment of fertilization of the egg. The embryo, in which active division and development occurs at this stage, contains a rudiment of cells called trophoblast cells, which are necessary for connecting the fetus with the tissues of the mother.

The enzymatic activity of this group of cells is so high that the embryo easily penetrates the uterine mucosa and begins to receive nutrition directly from the maternal tissues.

At this moment, the trophoblast cells continue their active division, as a result of which a membrane is formed around the embryo, which is the placenta.

Usually, by the end of the first trimester, the structure of the placenta is fully formed. However, during pregnancy its structure may change depending on the needs and age of the fetus.

This ability is called the degree of maturity of the placenta. During the period 22-36 weeks of gestation, the placenta actively gains mass and after this full functional maturity occurs.

By the end of pregnancy, the thickness of a well-developed placenta ranges from 2 to 4 cm, and the diameter is 16-18 cm.

As mentioned above, the placenta is responsible for the life support of the fetus until the moment of birth. There are five main functions of the placenta: gas exchange, nutritional, excretory, protective and hormonal functions.

Each is responsible for the proper development of all organs and the condition of the child as a whole.

Thus, the first facilitates the production of oxygen, the second is responsible for the intake of nutrients, the third is responsible for the removal of waste products of the child, the fourth performs the function of the immune system, and the fifth produces hormones that are vital during the development of the baby.

What does the degree of maturity of the placenta mean?

The placenta, like any other organ, has its own degree of maturity, which reflects a certain stage in formation and physiological changes. Simply put, the degree of maturity is the stage of aging of the placenta.

Each degree of maturity is characterized by specific features of the structure and thickness of the placenta.

Only 4 degrees of placental maturity have been defined, they are designated by numbers from 0 to 3, so the 0th degree is considered the youngest, and the 3rd is the oldest.

The aging process of the “baby place” occurs gradually and corresponds to the specific age of the fetus. Today, there are certain norms for the relationship between the degree of maturity of the placenta and the gestational period. Normally it looks like this:

  • Grade 0 corresponds to a gestation period of up to 30 weeks;
  • 1st degree – 30-34 weeks;
  • 2nd degree – from 35 to 39 weeks inclusive;
  • Stage 3 – can begin from the 37th week until the moment of birth.

If the pregnancy proceeds normally, then usually the degree of maturity of the placenta corresponds to the norms, and then the fetus fully receives all the necessary substances.

In the case when there is a discrepancy between the gestational age and the maturity of the placenta, this indicates a possible deviation from the normal functioning of the placenta, as a result of which the baby may suffer, since he does not receive everything necessary for his full growth.

What are the dangers of premature aging of the placenta?

Sometimes it happens that the degree of maturity of the placenta is greater than it should be at a certain stage of pregnancy. For example, the gestation period is 26 weeks, and the degree of maturity is already at level 1 or 2, which is a deviation from the norm.

Doctors call this pathology premature aging of the organ, which indicates the development of fetoplacental insufficiency, which is extremely dangerous for the baby, as hormonal and immune disruptions, nutritional and oxygen deficiency, etc. develop.

Also, placental insufficiency can provoke underdevelopment of the child’s organs, fetal death, premature birth and other serious complications of pregnancy.

  • Consequences of hypoxia in a newborn
  • Gestational diabetes in pregnant women

The development of premature aging of the placenta depends on two factors - individual characteristics and any pathological processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman.

For example, the cause of rapid aging of the placenta may be a previous abortion, endocrine pathology, multiple pregnancy, intrauterine infection, smoking, taking alcohol or drugs, etc.

Be that as it may, it is important to remember that premature aging of the placenta is very dangerous and requires treatment in a hospital setting.

Source: http://lady-stories.ru/beremennost-i-rody/stepeni-zrelosti-placenty

Degree of maturity of the placenta

The unborn baby receives through the placenta the nutrients necessary for its development, as well as oxygen. The more healthy and functional the placenta is, the more successful the birth will be. The degree of maturity of the placenta is an indicator of its functioning (one of many).

Functions of the placenta

Main functions of the placenta:

  • nutritious (as noted above, the child is fed through the placenta, when his organs are not yet sufficiently formed and he has not yet been born)
  • respiratory (through this organ not only oxygen enters the fetus, but also carbon dioxide is removed as a product of oxygen processing)
  • excretory (fetal waste products are excreted through the organ that connects it to the mother’s body)
  • hormonal (the organ in question secretes a number of hormones that are necessary for the normal maintenance of pregnancy)
  • barrier (protects the unborn baby from negatively affecting substances in the blood of the expectant mother)

Development of the placenta

The placenta is also called the "baby place". From the very beginning of pregnancy, when the embryo just begins to develop, it is absent. When the embryo is 4 weeks old, the fertilized egg is surrounded by chorion. This is a specific fabric covered with villi.

And only by the ninth or tenth week does the early placenta begin to create. These are chorionic villi that remained at that time, entered the upper layer of the uterus and united with the vessels. In the ninth month of gestation, the placenta weighs approximately 500 grams and has a diameter of 15 to 20 centimeters.

There is an increase in the permeability of the placental membrane right up to the 32nd week of gestation. The fetus increases in size and develops, which means it needs more nutrients for nutrition and more oxygen for breathing. There are more and more vessels in the placenta, and its membrane becomes thinner.

After the 33rd week, the growth of the placenta stops, and the aging process of the “baby place” begins. What is aging? What is it? This process is normal and there is no need to worry. On the contrary, this suggests that pregnancy is going its own way.

Several hypotheses have been put forward, and the most common one states that labor begins when the placenta becomes as mature as possible. When nine months of the fetus’s stay in the mother’s belly have passed, the placenta no longer realizes its functions (listed above) 100%.

The fetus begins to “give” stress hormones to the mother’s body, which are the catalyst for contractions.

Degrees of placenta maturity

Changes in the “children's place” can only be detected by ultrasound. They cannot be identified by palpation. Doctors have certain parameters by which they determine how mature the placenta is in a particular mother at the moment. The following degrees of maturity are distinguished:

  • Grade 0: from the first to the thirtieth week of gestation
  • I degree: 27-36 weeks
  • II degree: 34-39 weeks
  • III degree: starting from 36 weeks

To determine whether the aging process has begun in the “children’s place,” doctors use ultrasound diagnostics to evaluate its thickness, whether there are cysts in it, and whether there are calcium deposits. Ultrasound is considered a highly informative method, but when determining maturity, there is overdiagnosis.

Not so long ago, doctors were of the opinion that a placenta that has aged ahead of time can cause the death of the fetus in the mother’s stomach, miscarriages, and the birth of premature babies. But special studies refuted this hypothesis. If the third degree of maturity is diagnosed before 35 weeks, the patient is monitored very closely. But there should be no room for panic here!

Why does the placenta age prematurely?

Factors are identified due to which the “children’s place” can grow old ahead of schedule.

  • persistent increase in blood pressure in a pregnant woman (hypertension)

This increase in blood pressure is also known as gestational hypertension. Defective blood vessels form in the placenta, which negatively affects the well-being of the expectant mother and the baby in the tummy.

A pregnant woman may have increased blood pressure, edema and, in some cases, preeclampsia. Defective vessels and arteries do not carry enough oxygen.

The functions of the placenta are not performed 100%, which is why the organ ages earlier than normal.

Infectious diseases in a pregnant woman, even a cold, activate placental tissue. “Children’s Place” is trying to actively protect the baby from viruses that circulate in a woman’s blood. The placenta also allows antibodies and a large amount of oxygen to reach the baby, which helps fight the disease. Therefore, we can say that these processes “wear out” the organ, and aging of the placenta is observed.

As already noted, gradually more and more calcium is deposited in the placenta. At the third degree of maturity of the placenta, there are a lot of calcium deposits, as shown by ultrasound. If a mother takes calcium without a doctor’s prescription (for the purpose of prevention, by her own decision), then the placental tissue is replaced by calcifications. Its maturity occurs at an earlier stage.

Prognosis for early aging of the placenta

Don't panic if you have been diagnosed with premature placenta. In most cases this will not result in complications. If there are other pathologies that threaten the fetus and are combined with the aging of the “baby place,” then you should worry. Warning signs:

  • Severe intrauterine growth retardation
  • Blood flow disorders in the uterus, placenta and fetus
  • Decompensated diabetes mellitus of the expectant mother
  • Manifestations of Rh conflict in the fetus
  • Hypertension in pregnancy to a large extent

Even if there are no signs of early maturation of the placenta, but there are one or two of the above factors, you should worry. Perhaps the doctor will prescribe treatment based on the characteristics of your pregnancy. And in some cases they resort to emergency delivery.

Immature placenta

The placenta of the second and third degrees is considered not ripe (all degrees are described in detail above). This is a very rare condition and is mainly caused by diagnostic errors. In some cases, there may be “swelling” of the placenta due to Rh conflict between the fetus and the expectant mother.

Ultrasound reveals that the placenta is very smooth, so it is assigned a zero degree of maturity. An immature placenta poses no danger to either the woman or the baby.

But its ultrasound manifestations often mask serious problems in a pregnant woman that require special therapy.

Other methods for studying the placenta

The condition of the placenta does not indicate how the fetus feels. To determine pregnancy pathologies (or lack thereof), Doppler sonography is done.

This method allows you to “see” whether the placenta allows a sufficient amount of blood to pass through its vessels.

If the course of pregnancy is normal, then after the twentieth week of gestation, the blood resistance in the vessels between the placenta, uterus and the unborn baby becomes lower.

If a regular ultrasound showed premature aging of the baby's place, Doppler can show that in fact everything is normal. But the opposite situation may also be true.

The next method is cardiotocography. This method makes it possible to understand the well-being of the fetus. Using special sensors, they “detect” whether the fetus has a heartbeat and how often it moves. Cardiotocography also determines the number and frequency of uterine contractions. Therefore, even small placental disorders are quite easy to detect.

How to stop the maturation of the placenta?

When you hear from your doctor that the placenta is premature, the first reaction will be fear and an attempt to find methods to stop aging. But inhale and exhale calmly. As already noted, there is no cause for concern. Please note that diagnostic errors may occur. Ask your doctor to perform not only the standard ultrasound procedure, but also CTG and Doppler ultrasound.

If, during medical examinations, it was revealed that the baby’s heart is beating normally, and there is sufficient blood flow in the placenta, then the degree of maturation of the placenta can not be taken into account at all. If additional research methods show that the fetus lacks oxygen, the doctor may prescribe observation or therapy.

Delivery is rarely required. There are no methods that reverse the aging of the placenta! The effectiveness of pentoxifylline, chimes, Actovegin and vitamin complexes has not been proven to date.

By taking medications uncontrollably and using folk remedies that your neighbor told you about, you can only harm yourself.

Prevention of early maturity of the “children's place”

  • It is important to plan your pregnancy in advance.
  • Stop smoking and drinking alcohol not only during pregnancy, but as early as possible.
  • It is important to walk in the fresh air (parks, forests, forest belts, etc.)
  • Moderate physical activity must be present in a pregnant woman (the norm is different in each case, focus mainly on your well-being and the recommendations of your obstetrician-gynecologist)
  • Take folic acid
  • Do ultrasound, screenings, CTG and Doppelography in a timely manner
  • Avoid crowded places to avoid contracting an infectious disease
  • If anemia occurs, you may need to take iron supplements (they should be prescribed by a doctor)

Other pathologies of the placenta

As noted, calcifications are normal placental inclusions. But there are also those inclusions that indicate pathology. In some cases, fibrin is present, which is a breakdown product of blood.

This is a consequence of small effusions of blood into the placental tissue, after which deposits are formed that resemble threads or tumors.

Hematomas as a result of small infarctions of the placenta, according to experts, occur in a quarter of pregnant women by the end of the gestation period.

There is such a pathology as placental tumors. They come in two types: teratoma and chorionic angioma. If they are small in size, then the mother and fetus are not in danger. If a pregnant woman has large tumors, doctors will monitor her closely. An ultrasound examination can reveal cystic inclusions in the “baby spot”.

Again, you need to focus on the number and size of cysts. If it is one small cyst, then this is not a reason to panic, you will carry the child to term normally. A pregnant woman is taken under observation if there are 2 or more cysts, because this may indicate trophoblastic disease. Do not ask the doctor to urgently terminate the pregnancy; this is not the only option.

Early cesarean section is necessary in very rare cases.

A normal placenta has 20 lobes, but looks like one whole. In very rare cases, doctors discover two or three lobes, one of which is the main one, and the others seem to complement it. In such cases, the pregnant woman is at risk of placental abruption and bleeding.

When it comes to pregnancy prognosis, doctors also take into account the size of the placenta. The volume does not affect the function of the “children’s seat”, although some experts tried to prove the opposite. It is important to determine where the afterbirth is attached and whether it is developing correctly. To do this, measure the thickness of the placenta.
Placenta accreta is dangerous for pregnant women.

If everything goes well, there is a layer between the muscles of the uterus and the placenta that protects the uterus from the introduction of chorionic villi. But this layer is not always there. Basically, it is not found in those who have undergone uterine surgery, including abortions. In a third of cases, doctors find placenta previa along with placenta accreta.

Forms of placenta accreta:

  • placenta percreta
  • placenta increta
  • placenta accreta

The first two forms are a cause for concern. Internal bleeding is possible due to the placenta growing into the rectum or bladder. When appropriate symptoms appear, misdiagnosis may occur.

The doctor may think that the pregnant woman has hemorrhoids, kidney stones, etc. If you have blood along with natural discharge, then you need to be examined.

In recent years, methods of conservative therapy have become relevant: after the birth of a child, the placenta is left in the uterine cavity, sometimes chemotherapy is required.

Remember that timely visits to your obstetrician-gynecologist, conducting the necessary research and taking various preventive medications (prescribed by your doctor) increase your chances of successfully carrying a pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy child. Take care of yourself and your unborn baby!

Source: https://www.eurolab.ua/pregnancy/3285/3286/49267/

Degree of placenta maturity by week: table. Norms and deviations of placental maturity

Seven days after fertilization, the human embryo, freely located in the uterus, begins to sink into its mucous membrane. Having attached itself to the posterior (less often to the anterior) wall of the uterus with its villous membrane, chorion and allantois, the embryo enters the so-called fetal period of its development. At this time, a temporary organ is formed - the baby's place or placenta.

What role does this structure play in the process of intrauterine development of the unborn child, what does the degree of maturity of the placenta mean - these and other questions will be discussed by us in this article.

Why is a placenta needed?

Everything that grows and develops must eat and breathe. And the future baby is no exception. From the mother's blood, glucose, amino acids and, of course, oxygen enter his cells.

It turns out that the blood vessels of the fetus and mother are not anatomically connected to each other. This fact is of cardinal importance, otherwise ballast substances from the maternal bloodstream would clog the blood of the embryo.

On the other hand, fetal proteins that are foreign to the mother’s immune system would provoke serious disturbances in her homeostasis.

So, it is the placenta that creates the necessary barrier, at the same time providing through its special structures - cotyledons - a passive exchange of plastic compounds and gases between the organisms of the mother and her unborn child. During embryogenesis, complex metamorphoses occur not only in the development of the fetus, but the degree of maturity of the placenta also changes from week to week. The table presented below will reveal to us the dynamics of these changes.

The fetal part of the baby's place

As we have already found out, the placenta is formed as a temporary organ, starting from 3-6 weeks of pregnancy. The fertilized egg - the zygote - begins to fragment and becomes covered with a villous layer called the chorion. At 10-12 weeks, the early placenta forms, and the chorionic villi grow into the endometrium of the uterus.

At first, the structure of the placenta is amorphous, but from the 12th week, the baby's place gradually takes on the appearance of a flat disc. By the end of pregnancy, its diameter reaches 20 centimeters and its weight is 0.5 kg. The surface of the baby's place facing the embryo is called fetal.

The histological structure of the amniotic membrane and the chorion that forms it indicates a direct connection with the body of the embryo, which is carried out through the umbilical cords and ring entering the epithelium (skin) of the developing child.

Functions of the placenta

Together with the maternal part, represented by the endometrium, the baby's place performs a number of important functions: trophic, respiratory, barrier, excretory, endocrine.

We examined the first three earlier; we recall that thanks to such processes the embryo receives the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and solutions of mineral elements in the form of compounds.

The respiratory function of the placenta is carried out by the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules circulating in the blood vessels of the umbilical cord. The barrier property of the placenta prevents the penetration of antigens into the body of both the mother and the fetus.

The ability of the child's place to produce hormones such as progesterone and prolactin gives rise to the idea of ​​the placenta as an endocrine gland. The excretory function of the baby's place is to evacuate toxic products from the blood of the embryo through the umbilical veins: creatine, urea and excess salts.

Parameters of a normally developing fetus

Regular ultrasound examination of the unborn child allows you to determine what degree of maturity of the placenta should be, based on the woman’s gestational age.

The shorter the period, the more processes of biosynthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are carried out by embryonic cells and the more intense metabolic processes occur between the blood of the mother and the fetus.

The structure of tissues and metabolism of the child's place during this period corresponds to 0 degree of placental maturity by week.

The table, compiled based on the results of diagnosing a normal pregnancy and presented below, shows that a period of up to 30 weeks is characterized by the following physiological norm for the state of the child’s place: an almost smooth surface of its fetal part, uniform tissue structure and the absence of calcium salt deposits in them.

However, even if the obtained ultrasound results fully correspond to the above parameters of the normal development of the placenta, the decisive indicators will be the heart rate and the provision of oxygen to the organs and tissues of the fetus.

Aging of the placenta: normal or pathological?

The baby's place is a temporarily functioning organ, so its tissues gradually become coarser (their consistency becomes denser), which leads to a deterioration in the processes of diffusion and osmosis, as well as a decrease in the speed of blood flow in the placental vessels.

The most significant period for elucidating the mechanisms of aging of the placenta is the 34th week. The degree of maturity of the placenta during this period increases greatly, and by the 39th week of pregnancy the afterbirth becomes very dense, and its functioning decreases.

This is a genetically and physiologically normal phenomenon that occurs during pregnancy. The dependence of the state of the baby's place on the trimester of pregnancy is determined as the degree of maturity of the placenta by week.

The table presented below provides visual information showing the correlative relationship between the period of fetal development and the histological picture of the placental structures.

Why is the children's place getting old?

In some cases, the rate of aging of the organ connecting the maternal and child organisms may increase. For example, based on the results of an ultrasound, the doctor assigns placenta maturity level 2, although the gestational age is less than 32 weeks.

There may be several reasons: a previous viral infection, regular intoxication as a result of smoking, chronic diseases of the woman herself (hypertension, diabetes, thrombophlebitis) or Rh conflict.

The extent to which this will affect the development of the fetus is determined by the attending physician, who will choose the correct treatment strategy.

Usually it includes both additional diagnostic procedures and examination in a hospital setting.

Relationship between gestational age and placenta condition

As you can see, quite a lot of different factors can influence the degree of maturity of the placenta. The standards given in the table will help the expectant mother compare them with her own ultrasound readings.

Early aging of the placenta is not necessarily a symptom that poses a threat to the life of the mother and fetus. For example, if the 3rd degree of placental maturity, detected at 34–36 weeks of pregnancy, is not associated with disturbances of blood circulation in the vessels of the uterus and child's place, or with a diagnosed disorder of embryogenesis, or with Rh conflict, then there is no reason for concern. Otherwise, the pregnant woman will be offered a course of treatment in a hospital, and, as a last resort, an artificial birth.

How pregnancy pathologies affect the early maturation of the placenta

Let us remind you once again that the child’s place is the most important temporary functioning structure connecting the organisms of the mother and the unborn baby. The placenta unites the circulatory systems of the pregnant woman and the embryo, thanks to which nutrients and oxygen from the maternal blood diffuse into the organs and tissues of the fetus.

Thus, all disturbances in general blood flow will have multiple negative consequences. For example, gestational hypertension (increased blood pressure in a woman) from the 20th week of pregnancy can lead to the formation of defective blood vessels in the placenta.

This inevitably entails processes of decompensation of the arteries of the placenta, which leads to its premature aging, not to mention the threat of the development of hypoxia in the fetus.

In this article, we found out how different stages of pregnancy and the degree of maturity of the placenta are interrelated by week.

A table compiled based on the results of Doppler ultrasound diagnostics will help expectant mothers obtain the information they need.

Source

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As the fetus develops in the mother's womb, the structure of the placental tissue also changes. One of the important indicators of the placenta assessed by doctors is its maturity. This article will tell you more about what the second degree of placental maturity means and what week of pregnancy it normally corresponds to.

What does it mean?

Doctors distinguish several degrees of placenta maturity, which correspond to certain stages of pregnancy. Determination of the degree of maturity of the placental tissue is necessarily carried out during a comprehensive examination of the expectant mother during different stages of pregnancy.

The general classification of degrees of placental maturity includes 4 gradations - from zero to third. It is believed that the older the placenta, the fewer functions it can perform. This is understandable, since by the end of pregnancy the female body gradually begins to prepare for childbirth, after which the placenta is not needed.

The placenta is necessary for the child's body only during its intrauterine life. After birth, the baby can exist independently. By the time of birth, his internal organs and systems have already formed, which means that the child can breathe and independently process all the nutrients he needs for nutrition and growth. During pregnancy, placental tissue took an active part in providing these functions.

Each stage of pregnancy must correspond to a certain maturity of the placenta. If this does not happen, then, as a rule, the course of physiological pregnancy is disrupted. A variety of causes and pathologies observed in the body of the expectant mother can lead to early “aging” of placental tissue. In such a situation, doctors carefully monitor the condition of the pregnant woman and her baby, and also plan further management of the pregnancy.

If the second degree of maturity of a woman’s placenta was detected much earlier than the due date, then in the future the expectant mother is prescribed a number of recommendations. So, she should carefully monitor her general condition and the well-being of the child.

If the placental tissue ceases to fully perform its functions due to excessively early “aging,” then in such a situation the child in the mother’s womb will begin to experience some discomfort. This may cause the baby's heart rate or motor activity to change. In such a situation, a mandatory consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist and a possible change in tactics for further pregnancy management are required.

In some cases, if the placenta matures too early to 2-3 degrees of maturity, the expectant mother must be hospitalized in a hospital. A woman can stay there until she gives birth. This usually happens if the course of pregnancy becomes very complicated and there is a threat of premature birth.

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Norm

Placental tissue that has reached stage 2 of maturity is also called mature. The characteristic changes that have occurred in the placenta are considered normal for 34-39 weeks of pregnancy.

It is important to note that these data are averages. So, if an expectant mother, who has been carrying a baby for 32-33 weeks of pregnancy, has a 2nd degree of placental maturity, then she should not panic. In this situation, doctors also necessarily evaluate how a particular pregnancy is progressing in general. If the fetus develops well and its mother does not have any adverse symptoms, then such somewhat early maturation of the placenta does not pose any danger.

How to determine?

The degree of maturity of the placenta is determined by performing an ultrasound examination. Modern ultrasound machines make it possible to study placental tissue in pregnant women quite accurately. The indicators obtained as a result of the study are quite informative.

In order for the doctor to determine the 2-3 degree of maturity of the placenta, he must note several clinical signs. So, an ultrasound specialist must evaluate the structure of the placental tissue. In earlier stages of pregnancy, the placenta has a smooth and even surface. There are no external signs of changes on her. As pregnancy progresses, the structure of the placental tissue also changes - it becomes more uneven and even rough.

The placenta, which has a 2nd degree of maturity, has depressions and grooves on the outer surface. Its thickness gradually begins to decrease. The depressions that appear in the placental tissue are quite deep and extend into the placenta almost to the basement membrane. During an ultrasound examination of the placental tissue, the specialist also determines the presence of multiple linear stripes of echogenic zones.

As the placenta matures, special compacted areas begin to appear in it - calcifications. Placenta of the 2nd degree of maturity with calcifications is considered quite normal. The appearance of dense areas in the placental tissue is associated with changes occurring in the placenta in the final trimester of pregnancy.

The appearance of calcifications in the placental tissue at 34-39 weeks of pregnancy is quite normal. Many expectant mothers begin to worry greatly about this when they learn about such an ultrasound “find.” They are worried that the baby’s blood flow may be disrupted, but even in the presence of calcifications at this stage, the placental tissue is able to perform its functions as intended by nature.

During a routine ultrasound examination, during which the doctor determines the main clinical parameters of the placenta, Doppler ultrasound is also performed. It is usually performed during an ultrasound examination by the same specialist. The purpose of a Doppler ultrasound study is to determine blood flow in the main blood vessels that provide blood supply to the fetus in the uterus.

With Doppler ultrasound, the doctor can assess how well the uteroplacental blood flow is functioning. With premature aging of the placenta, it can worsen, which can also negatively affect the well-being of the fetus. Also, with the help of Doppler ultrasound, doctors can determine the development of placental insufficiency - a dangerous condition that can lead to disruption of intrauterine development in the fetus. This pathology can also develop when the placenta matures too early to grade 2-3 in the early stages of pregnancy.

Determining the degree of maturity of the placenta is a very important clinical sign.

In order to promptly identify various disorders and pathologically early maturation of the placenta to the 2nd degree of maturity, the expectant mother must undergo ultrasound examinations prescribed by the doctor. This must be done according to the prescribed deadlines.

To assess the condition of the placental tissue, it is very important to conduct dynamic monitoring. This means that during the final period of pregnancy, women whose placental maturation is found to be excessively early may have several repeat ultrasound examinations. This is necessary so that doctors can promptly identify dangerous complications that may arise from this condition. This will allow doctors to intervene in a timely manner and choose the optimal tactics for further pregnancy management, as well as determine the correct method of obstetric care in a particular case.

In order for the placenta to reach the 2nd degree of maturity only by the due date of pregnancy, The expectant mother should follow a number of recommendations and lead a healthy lifestyle. Scientists have found that active smoking can lead to excessively early maturation of the placenta. All bad habits of expectant mothers should be eliminated while carrying their babies.

The normal functioning of placental tissue will be facilitated by a balanced diet, adequate sleep, avoidance of stress, and regular walks in the fresh air.

For information about what the placenta is and what functions it performs, see below.

Seven days after fertilization, the human embryo, freely located in the uterus, begins to sink into its mucous membrane. Having attached itself to the posterior (less often to the anterior) wall of the uterus with its villous membrane, chorion and allantois, the embryo enters the so-called fetal period of its development. At this time, a temporary organ is formed - the baby's place or placenta.

What role does this structure play in the process of intrauterine development of the unborn child, what does the degree of maturity of the placenta mean - these and other questions will be discussed by us in this article.

Why is a placenta needed?

Everything that grows and develops must eat and breathe. And the future baby is no exception. From the mother's blood, glucose, amino acids and, of course, oxygen enter his cells. It turns out that the blood vessels of the fetus and mother are not anatomically connected to each other. This fact is of cardinal importance, otherwise ballast substances from the maternal bloodstream would clog the blood of the embryo. On the other hand, fetal proteins that are foreign to the mother’s immune system would provoke serious disturbances in her homeostasis. So, it is the placenta that creates the necessary barrier, at the same time providing through its special structures - cotyledons - a passive exchange of plastic compounds and gases between the organisms of the mother and her unborn child. During embryogenesis, complex metamorphoses occur not only in the development of the fetus, but the degree of maturity of the placenta also changes from week to week. The table presented below will reveal to us the dynamics of these changes.

The fetal part of the baby's place

As we have already found out, the placenta is formed as a temporary organ, starting from 3-6 weeks of pregnancy. The fertilized egg - the zygote - begins to fragment and becomes covered with a villous layer called the chorion. At 10-12 weeks, the early placenta forms, and the chorionic villi grow into the endometrium of the uterus.

At first, the structure of the placenta is amorphous, but from the 12th week, the baby's place gradually takes on the appearance of a flat disc. By the end of pregnancy, its diameter reaches 20 centimeters and its weight is 0.5 kg. The surface of the baby's place facing the embryo is called fetal. The histological structure of the amniotic membrane and the chorion that forms it indicates a direct connection with the body of the embryo, which is carried out through the umbilical cords and ring entering the epithelium (skin) of the developing child.

Functions of the placenta

Together with the maternal part, represented by the endometrium, the baby's place performs a number of important functions: trophic, respiratory, barrier, excretory, endocrine. We examined the first three earlier; we recall that thanks to such processes the embryo receives the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and solutions of mineral elements in the form of compounds.

The respiratory function of the placenta is carried out by the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules circulating in the blood vessels of the umbilical cord. The barrier property of the placenta prevents the penetration of antigens into the body of both the mother and the fetus. The ability of the child's place to produce hormones such as progesterone and prolactin gives rise to the idea of ​​the placenta as an endocrine gland. The excretory function of the baby's place is to evacuate toxic products from the blood of the embryo through the umbilical veins: creatine, urea and excess salts.

Parameters of a normally developing fetus

Regular ultrasound examination of the unborn child allows you to determine what degree of maturity of the placenta should be, based on the woman’s gestational age. The shorter the period, the more processes of biosynthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are carried out by embryonic cells and the more intense metabolic processes occur between the blood of the mother and the fetus.

The structure of tissues and metabolism of the child's place during this period corresponds to 0 degree of placental maturity by week. The table, compiled based on the results of diagnosing a normal pregnancy and presented below, shows that a period of up to 30 weeks is characterized by the following physiological norm for the state of the child’s place: an almost smooth surface of its fetal part, uniform tissue structure and the absence of calcium salt deposits in them. However, even if the obtained ultrasound results fully correspond to the above parameters of the normal development of the placenta, the decisive indicators will be the heart rate and the provision of oxygen to the organs and tissues of the fetus.

Aging of the placenta: normal or pathological?

The baby's place is a temporarily functioning organ, so its tissues gradually become coarser (their consistency becomes denser), which leads to a deterioration in the processes of diffusion and osmosis, as well as a decrease in the speed of blood flow in the placental vessels. The most significant period for elucidating the mechanisms of aging of the placenta is the 34th week. The degree of maturity of the placenta during this period increases greatly, and by the 39th week of pregnancy the afterbirth becomes very dense, and its functioning decreases.

This is a genetically and physiologically normal phenomenon that occurs during pregnancy. The dependence of the state of the baby's place on the trimester of pregnancy is determined as the degree of maturity of the placenta by week. The table presented below provides visual information showing the correlative relationship between the period of fetal development and the histological picture of the placental structures.

Why is the children's place getting old?

In some cases, the rate of aging of the organ connecting the maternal and child organisms may increase. For example, based on the results of an ultrasound, the doctor assigns placenta maturity level 2, although the gestational age is less than 32 weeks. There may be several reasons: a previous viral infection, regular intoxication as a result of smoking, chronic diseases of the woman herself (hypertension, diabetes, thrombophlebitis) or Rh conflict.

The extent to which this will affect the development of the fetus is determined by the attending physician, who will choose the correct treatment strategy. Usually it includes both additional diagnostic procedures and examination in a hospital setting.

Relationship between gestational age and placenta condition

As you can see, quite a lot of different factors can influence the degree of maturity of the placenta. The standards given in the table will help the expectant mother compare them with her own ultrasound readings.

Early aging of the placenta is not necessarily a symptom that poses a threat to the life of the mother and fetus. For example, if the 3rd degree of placental maturity, detected at 34-36 weeks of pregnancy, is not associated with disturbances of blood circulation in the vessels of the uterus and child's place, or with a diagnosed disorder of embryogenesis, or with Rh conflict, then there is no reason for concern. Otherwise, the pregnant woman will be offered a course of treatment in a hospital, and, as a last resort, an artificial birth.

How pregnancy pathologies affect the early maturation of the placenta

Let us remind you once again that the child’s place is the most important temporary functioning structure connecting the organisms of the mother and the unborn baby. The placenta unites the circulatory systems of the pregnant woman and the embryo, thanks to which nutrients and oxygen from the maternal blood diffuse into the organs and tissues of the fetus. Thus, all disturbances in general blood flow will have multiple negative consequences. For example, gestational hypertension (increased blood pressure in a woman) from the 20th week of pregnancy can lead to the formation of defective blood vessels in the placenta. This inevitably entails processes of decompensation of the arteries of the placenta, which leads to its premature aging, not to mention the threat of the development of hypoxia in the fetus.

In this article, we found out how different stages of pregnancy and the degree of maturity of the placenta are interrelated by week. A table compiled based on the results of Doppler ultrasound diagnostics will help expectant mothers obtain the information they need.

The placenta is a very important, albeit temporary organ that exists while the fetus develops and grows. After the baby is born, it dies and is rejected.

Moreover, like any human body, the placenta goes through all stages: birth, maturation and aging.

This process is completely natural, but it is necessary that everything happens in its own time, because otherwise there is a risk of various pathologies or threats to pregnancy.

Its main function is to fully ensure the baby’s vital functions while he is in his mother’s belly. The properties of this embryonic organ are difficult to overestimate, since the placenta is considered the most important component for the process of intrauterine development.

The most important tasks of the placenta are:

  • protection of the fetus from the negative effects of the environment, penetration of bacteria, viruses, etc.;
  • release of hormones necessary to maintain pregnancy;
  • removal of harmful substances;
  • providing the child with the necessary nutrients and nutrients, oxygen;
  • performing the functions of many of the baby’s organs until they are fully developed and independent (such as excretory, endocrine and other systems).

The placenta does not appear immediately after conception. First (approximately on the tenth day), the cells that are responsible for the future connection between mother and fetus are actively dividing. As a result of this process, the production of special enzymes begins, which slowly line the uterine cavity, creating conditions for the baby to have access to the nutrients of the mother’s body. Next comes the formation of a stable blood exchange between the woman and the child.

Placental development: what is maturity?

The early placenta will form only by 9-10 weeks. As the pregnancy develops, the placenta also develops: it increases in thickness, its vessels grow, etc.

There is the concept of placental maturity, which is practically the main indicator for assessing structural, physiological changes, determining the presence of pathologies, anomalies or disorders.

The placenta develops so that the baby's needs, which are constantly changing, can be met on time and completely.

In this regard, functionality is lost, that is, the child may be more susceptible to viruses, begins to receive less oxygen, etc.

The numbers in the study: what do they mean?

There are four degrees of placenta maturity, each of which reflects a certain stage of development of this organ and the physiological changes that occur in it.

It is necessary that the degree of maturity of the placenta clearly corresponds to the duration of your pregnancy, because this indicator indirectly indicates the state of health and well-being of your child.

Table. Degree of placenta maturity by week of pregnancy

Degree of maturity of the placenta The nature of the structure of the placenta Type and characteristics of the tissue of the chorionic part, which is adjacent to the fetus Areas of calcium deposits (salts)
Up to 27-30 weeks – 0 (zero) Homogeneous The fabric is even and smooth Almost not
From 27 to 36 weeks - 1 (first) With few seals Individual echogenic inclusions appear, the chorionic plate becomes slightly undulating Microscopic presence
From 34 to 39 weeks – 2 (second) There are pronounced seals The waviness increases, many small depressions can be distinguished Clearly visible
After 36 weeks - 3 (third) Possible placental cysts The chorionic membrane acquires pronounced tortuosity, and the placenta itself acquires a lobular structure A lot

How to diagnose the problem?

Each stage of pregnancy must correspond to a certain degree of maturity of the placenta.

If these indicators are in order, then the doctor will be able to conclude that the organ is functioning normally and is able to fully satisfy the demands of the developing and growing baby for oxygen and nutrients.

If the indicators do not correspond to the norm, then this will become a diagnosis of organ pathology. Next, the doctor will decide on corrective treatment or preventive measures to prevent harm to the child and pregnancy.

To determine the degree of maturity of the placenta and the nature of its changes, various diagnostic methods are used:

  • (CTG);
  • hormonal studies.

The difficulty is that every ultrasound diagnostician can rather subjectively assess the degree of maturity of the placenta, because the indicators are determined almost “by eye”.

That is why, at the slightest doubt, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis with other diagnostic methods and studies.

For example, the same Doppler ultrasound can give completely normal readings, relieving you of unnecessary fears. This method is based on assessing blood flow through the placenta, and this can be done by reflecting ultrasonic waves.

If pregnancy proceeds normally, then after twenty weeks the blood resistance in the vessels that connect the woman’s uterus, placenta and baby will begin to decrease. Only Doppler sonography will be able to assess the baby’s condition: whether he is receiving enough nutrients, oxygen, etc.

Ultrasound indicators regarding the degree of placental maturity may not correspond to Doppler measurements.

CTG is another additional diagnostic method. Thanks to it, you can find out how your child is feeling right at the moment. Such a cardiac monitoring study, using special attached sensors, helps the doctor count how often the baby moves, catch and listen to his heartbeat, and record contractions of the woman’s uterus.

All these indicators will indicate either the normal functioning and functionality of the placenta, or its malfunctions and disturbances.

Possible deviations and their causes

If the results of your research differ slightly from the ideal book norms, do not worry too much. It is important not just to find out the “dry numbers” that reflect the degree of maturity. Much more important is assessing the condition and well-being of the baby.

This is precisely why Doppler testing and CTG are performed: to check how the baby is feeling, whether everything is okay with him, whether his size and development correspond to the duration of your pregnancy, etc. The doctor will definitely tell you how the pregnancy is progressing, and whether there are a real cause for concern.

Dangers of premature aging of the placenta

If the second degree of placenta maturity was detected before the 32nd week, or the third degree before the 36th week, doctors talk about its premature or early aging.

There are many reasons for this pathology:

  • hormonal imbalances;
  • chronic diseases of women (problems with the cardiovascular system);
  • infectious diseases leading to intrauterine infections of the child;
  • (hypertension);
  • improper or uncontrolled use of vitamins (especially calcium);
  • or ;

One of the most common reasons is simply an unhealthy lifestyle: bad habits, drinking alcohol, drugs, smoking.

Premature aging in itself is not a direct threat to the life or health of the baby. However, in combination with other deviations from the norm or violations, this can lead to negative consequences:

Occurs due to lack of oxygen. The child will suffer and this will affect his health. In some cases, even fetal death was recorded.

  • Intrauterine developmental delay.

It occurs due to insufficient intake of nutrients and vital substances into the baby’s body. This can result in malnutrition, growth retardation, etc.

  • (if there is a very large discrepancy between indicators and standards).

Doctors will try to verify the diagnosis using other diagnostic methods. If it is confirmed again, then the woman will be prescribed comprehensive treatment and prevention measures. You may need to go to hospital under medical supervision. Sometimes emergency delivery is recommended.

Why might there be late maturation?

This pathology is much less common than the previous one. The placenta is considered immature if it has not reached the second or third stages before the end of pregnancy.

Sometimes the reason for such a diagnosis can be a simple technical error: if the mother and child are present, then the placenta will have swelling, which on ultrasound will appear to be of zero degree of maturity.

However, due to such a sign, a serious complication may be missed.

Prolonged immaturity of the placenta sometimes leads to the fact that it does not perform its necessary functions at all, or performs them incorrectly. This threatens to result in the child’s mental retardation, other developmental anomalies, and even lead to his death and stillbirth.

Doctors note that pathology is possible if the baby has congenital defects. Sometimes it can be observed in pregnant women and diabetes mellitus.

Instead of a conclusion

Do not panic or self-medicate under any circumstances. The degree of maturity of the placenta is not yet a clinical diagnosis, but only an important diagnostic sign.

Doctors will carefully monitor the child’s well-being and condition in order to detect in time whether there are serious reasons for concern and take appropriate measures. You need to take care of your health and also follow all the doctor’s recommendations and instructions.