During pregnancy, the female body begins to rebuild. Therefore, during this period it is so important to control the condition of both the woman and the fetus. According to medical statistics, a fairly large number of pregnant women have a violation of blood flow. An additional circle of blood circulation that has arisen in the body requires constant monitoring by specialists. Its violation can lead to fetal death, and this can happen at any time of pregnancy. Let's try to understand why the blood flow is disturbed during pregnancy.
Bit of theory
Everyone knows that the placenta acts as a link between the body of a woman and the fetus. In this complex system, two types of blood circulation are distinguished - placental and fetal. Any violation of one of them can lead to rather sad consequences, including the development of various diseases. The severity of the problem is evaluated only by the doctor.
In this case, a woman who is in the 30th week of pregnancy must undergo a special ultrasound diagnosis, in which the placenta vessels are clearly visible in a three-dimensional image. If there is any violation, the doctor will definitely see it, since there is a change in the spatial ratio of the uterine and fetal-placental circulation. This is a very dangerous condition of the body, as respiratory function is suppressed, and fetal development is inhibited.
Degree of violation
Medicine distinguishes three degrees of severity of this pathology. The first degree is considered the easiest, when insufficient blood circulation has not yet reached its critical values. In this case, the hemodynamics of the fetus is in satisfactory condition. Disturbance of utero-placental blood flow of 1 A degree and insufficient fetal-placental circulation of 1 B degree are distinguished.
The second degree is characterized by a deterioration in the blood supply to the fetus. In 50% of cases, a decrease in the maximum speed of blood flow through all valves of the heart is noted, and such a violation is observed both in the fetus and in the uterine arteries.
Quite often, in a short period of time, the second degree becomes the third. In this case, the blood flow practically ceases to flow to the fetus, which can cause its hypoxia. There is a high probability of a decrease in diastolic blood flow in the aorta, and in some cases it can completely disappear.
Causes
If there is a violation of the blood flow of 1 degree during pregnancy, the causes leading to this may be different. Numerous unfavorable factors can affect the placenta not only during its formation, but also at a later date. Medical practice distinguishes primary and secondary circulatory failure, which disrupts the functioning of the placenta, which acts as a transport, protective, immune, metabolic and endocrine organ.
Thus, a blood flow disorder of 1 A degree during pregnancy can occur for the following reasons:
- tumor of the uterus;
- genetic defects;
- consequences of abortion;
- infectious diseases;
- hypertonic disease;
- diseases of the adrenal gland and thyroid gland;
- structural anomalies;
- hormonal dysfunctions;
- late toxicosis ;
- thrombosis, atherosclerosis;
- diabetes.
If this pathology is not timely eliminated, then after 6 weeks, a slight violation of the blood flow can go into the third stage. If a problem is detected at the 30th week, the doctor still has enough time to take appropriate measures to restore normal circulation.
Symptoms
Any pathology is characterized by its clinical picture, so that the doctor can make an appropriate conclusion. The lack of hemodynamics leads to a change in the functioning of the placenta, because of which the fetus begins to suffer. The necessary nutrients and oxygen begin to flow to it in a limited amount, and there is a slowdown in the excretion of metabolic products. Signs of fetal hypoxia begin to appear , as a result of which intrauterine development stops.
Thus, if there is a violation of blood flow during pregnancy, the symptoms of this condition appear as follows:
- heart palpitations;
- decrease or increase in motor activity of the fetus;
- mismatch of the volume of the abdomen with a specific gestational age.
Such signs usually occur with a decompensated form of placental insufficiency. If the violation of the uterine blood flow during pregnancy is of 1 A or 1 B degree, then these symptoms still do not appear, since hemodynamics are compensated. It is usually detected during diagnostic studies.
Diagnostics
In order to detect a blood flow impairment of 1 degree A during pregnancy, it is necessary to undergo a series of examinations, with the help of which they establish the type and degree of the changes that occur, and also determine the state of the fetus. In this case, the doctor prescribes the following procedures:
- a blood test for hormones such as estrogens, chorionic gonadotropin, progesterone;
- cardiotocography;
- ultrasonography;
- dopplerometry.
In some cases, the doctor is already able to determine the violation during the examination, focusing on the heart rate of the child, which are calculated during auscultation. But the most reliable results are usually obtained after laboratory and instrumental studies.
Treatment
Disturbed uteroplacental blood flow of any degree must be treated. In general, therapeutic measures are aimed at ensuring that pathology does not progress further. Hemodynamics is normalized only if a blood flow disorder of 1 B degree is detected.
When pregnancy occurs with abnormalities, various means are used that improve the condition of the fetus. Mostly conservative treatment methods are used. Surgical intervention is possible only in case of complications and according to vital indications. With the normalization of blood flow disorders, a complex of measures is used - pathogenetic, etiotropic and symptomatic treatment.
Drug treatment
Most often, a blood flow disorder of 1 A during pregnancy is corrected with the help of drugs. If the initial signs of a violation are identified, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis. More severe circulatory failure requires hospitalization.
The following drugs are used for treatment:
- antispasmodics - “Eufillin”, “No-shpa”;
- vascular - Actovegin;
- antiplatelet agents - Curantil;
- vitamins and minerals - “Ascorbic acid”, “Magne B6”;
- hepatoprotectors - Hofitol, Essentiale;
- tocolitics - Partusisten, Ginipral;
- improving blood microcirculation - Trental;
- antihypoxants - Instenon;
- metabolic - "ATP".
Usually, two courses of therapy are performed to improve the condition - immediately after the diagnosis has been made and for a period of 32-34 weeks. After that, the doctor decides on the method of delivery. This is especially important if the circulatory disorder is severe. In case of blood flow disturbance of the 1st degree, childbirth is carried out naturally.
Surgery
If blood flow disturbance is pronounced, an emergency delivery is performed. If conservative treatment fails, even in the case of a mild violation, a decision is made within two days. Cesarean section is usually performed. If it is planned with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks, then assess the condition of the fetus and its viability.
Preventative measures
In order to avoid such a pathological condition as blood flow impairment of 1 degree A during pregnancy, preventive measures should be taken. A woman who is expecting a baby should eat foods that contain the necessary vitamins, micro and macro elements, fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Every day, at least 1.5 liters of fluid should be consumed, but only if edema does not torment.
It is also important to keep your weight under control. During pregnancy, the recommended weight gain should not exceed 10 kg. Women at risk are given drug prophylaxis to interact with the mother and fetus and to prevent extremely dangerous dysfunction of the uteroplacental circulation. An important role is played by the timely adjusted method of birth management. But it should be remembered that even compliance with these measures does not exclude the occurrence of severe neurological complications.
Conclusion
Therefore, it is important to control blood flow during pregnancy. The causes of circulatory disorders can be various. The main thing is to monitor your health, and the timely detection of pathology will help prevent serious consequences for the unborn child.