Maternal or decidual tissue is located between the embryo and the uterus; it is necessary for implantation of the fetal egg, development of the fetus, and the birth of a healthy baby.
Conception
Mature female reproductive cells can give rise to a new life. The egg, surrounded by millions of sperm in the fallopian tube, allows only one, merges with it into one. The first 24 hours, the fertilized egg is the most viable, it suffers the impact of damaging environmental factors without negative consequences. This is due to the high ability to regenerate.
By the 4th-5th day from the moment of fertilization, this nucleus, after a long way, enters the uterine cavity. At this point, the fertilized egg has already shared many times, acquired new features, the necessary functions.
The egg secretes a special enzyme that is able to dissolve the endometrium - the membrane lining the uterine cavity. After the fertilized egg has chosen a place for itself, dissolved a portion of the endometrium in it, freed up a place for life, it penetrates the uterine cavity. This lasts about 2 days. The hole above the implantation site overgrows, forming a kind of roof for her home. Then the moment of the fertilization process ends.
The mucous membrane produces a secret necessary for the nutrition of the embryo - royal jelly.
The initial stages of fetal development are characterized by the appearance of three membranes, an amniotic fluid, surrounding, protecting and nourishing it.
Fetal egg shells:
Decidual Shell Functions
By the time the fetal egg arrives, the endometrium turns into a decidual membrane, providing the conditions necessary for the life of the embryo. The development of the fetal egg and the transformation of the endometrium should go simultaneously, otherwise implantation will not happen, pregnancy will end in the early stations.
The falling membrane is the maternal part of the placenta, which explains its functions:
- Nutrition, as it contains glycogen, lipids, mucopolysaccharides, salts, trace elements, enzymes, immunoglobulins.
- Protection, as it takes on all pathogenic microorganisms, toxins, harmful substances.
- Development, since after all the nutrients are consumed, it starts to synthesize carbohydrates, fats, proteins, hormones.
- Immune and endocrine functions.
Possible violations in the structure of the shell
There are numerous territorial and regional programs for monitoring and treating pregnant women, women in childbirth, and newborns. The requirement of the programs is the study of the placenta, regardless of the gestational age, the way in which delivery was performed. Decidual tissue is examined in scraping.
The purpose of this study is:
- recognition and accounting of existing risk factors for the occurrence of the disease during pregnancy;
- timely prevention of diseases of newborns;
- treatment, prevention of complications of pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period;
- assessment of the quality, timeliness of dispensary registration of pregnant women;
- identification of the causes of child mortality;
- disclosure of the causes of fetal death.
The entire examination is carried out urgently, using differentiated diagnostic methods. Interpretation of the results is done with respect to the mother and the child.
Decidual tissue may be with the following changes:
All information received is entered into the medical documentation of a woman and a newborn, the history of pregnancy, childbirth, illness, outpatient records, and taken into account during outpatient dispensary registration.
Necrosis
Necrosis is the death of local tissue that develops at the site of inflammation when the blood supply to the tissue ceases and is affected by microorganisms and their metabolic products. In this case, the immune, endocrine, secretory function of the membrane is disrupted, the decidual tissue begins to disintegrate and is rejected.
Hyalinosis
Hyalinosis is a type of degeneration and compaction of tissue, in which it becomes like a cartilage. The reason for the development of hyalinosis of decidual tissue is still not fully understood. But it leads to intense bleeding, premature birth, stillbirth.
Inflammation
Violation of blood supply, increased vascular permeability, edema, excessive cell formation of the altered area characterizes inflammation. A large number of blood cells rush to the site of inflammation, decidual tissue with leukocyte infiltration appears, which at first is adaptive in nature. But with the progression of the process, the tissue is impregnated with a huge number of white blood cells, pus appears. Even after successful treatment of the purulent process, adhesions will inevitably form, which can lead to infertility. This is how dangerous decidual tissue with inflammation is.
The reasons for this may be: endometritis, inflammation of the amniotic fluid, when the infection spreads by contact. Accompanied by hemorrhage, which can lead to abortion for a period of about 3 months of pregnancy. Decidual endometritis is manifested by profuse leucorrhoea in the first months after conception. With the progression of the process, late miscarriage, increment, premature detachment of the placenta, involution of the uterus develops.
Hemorrhage
There is decidual tissue with hemorrhages. This develops in the process of blood pouring out of the vessel with increased permeability of the wall, its melting with pus or destruction by the pathological process. It is observed with spontaneous abortion , tubal pregnancy, chorionocarcinoma.
Break
Sometimes a rupture occurs and only fragments of decidual tissue remain. Premature rupture of the membranes leads to a long anhydrous period, accompanied by an increased risk of infection, bleeding. It develops with infections, blood diseases, diabetes mellitus, the presence of a large number of abortions during previous pregnancies.
The shell can increase in volume in the presence of inflammation, degeneration, the threat of termination of pregnancy.
Causes of Decidual Shell Changes
- Genetic pathology of the fetus.
- Inflammatory processes of the uterus.
- Impaired blood circulation.
- Extragenital pathology: diabetes mellitus, heart defects, blood diseases, thyroid gland, nervous system.
To prevent the threat of termination of pregnancy, it is necessary that it be desired. It is necessary to prepare, plan ahead, lead a healthy lifestyle, exclude alcohol and tobacco smoking, cure all somatic and infectious inflammatory diseases.
Before planning pregnancy, it is necessary to take blood and urine tests (for blood coagulation, hormones), find out the mother's blood type, and be examined for latent infections. Both parents pass the blood type, Rh factor and screening for latent infections. The list of necessary blood tests for infections include: toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes.
In case of pregnancy, it is advisable to register at the antenatal clinic as soon as possible, visit the doctor regularly, follow all his recommendations, and take the prescribed tests on time.