Almost every modern woman knows what role the placenta plays in fetal development. Translated, "placenta" means "cake." It grows from germ cells and develops simultaneously with the developing embryo. The placenta completes its development and formation at the gestational age of about sixteen weeks. This happens because its functions are closely related to the production of pregnancy hormones.
What is this “organ" for? The gas exchange of the mother and child, the intake of nutrients in the baby's body, hormonal secretion and the function of forming immunity - all this provides the placenta. From the mother’s blood, the necessary oxygen passes through the placenta to the growing fetus, and is excreted back through it, like carbon dioxide. All vitamins enter the growing body in the same way, and unnecessary metabolic products are removed through it.
Not always everything goes according to the plan, there are deviations. Changes in the structure of the placenta can have bad consequences, especially for the development of the baby. If, after an ultrasound, a pregnant woman is diagnosed with a "thickening of the placenta," this means that she has matured ahead of schedule.
The causes of this anomaly can be various factors. During pregnancy, the placenta goes through four important stages, which can be observed using ultrasound. The stage of development of the placenta, when it is still homogeneous in structure, is referred to by scientific concepts as the zero degree of its maturity (up to thirty weeks). At a period of twenty-seven to thirty-four weeks of pregnancy, the stage of growth is already called the first, in it separate areas of the echogenic structure become noticeable. Multiple echogenic sites and a more wavy chorionic structure - this is how the second degree of maturity is already characterized (in the interval from thirty-four to thirty-nine weeks). Placental aging (the last, third degree of maturity) can be suspected by the results of ultrasound, if its structure has become lobed, and also many calcifications are found in it (usually from the thirty-seventh week). In another way, this stage is called placental calcification.
Ultrasound can determine the thickness of the placenta. At a certain time, it should correspond to a specific thickness. Otherwise, this is called premature aging of the placenta, which cannot fully perform its functions and provide the fetus with all the necessary substances for its normal formation. Thickening of the placenta is dangerous for a developing baby. The baby does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, as a result of which various deviations from its normal development begin to be observed.
Thickening of the placenta is a serious situation during pregnancy, it is fraught with termination of pregnancy or death of the fetus. Doctors in this case conduct a complete, comprehensive examination of the child and mother, and also prescribe special therapy, which in each case is different. More often the baby manages to save.
What causes early aging of the placenta?
- Abortion As a result of this procedure, the walls of the uterus become thin, their normal nutrition is disturbed. Complicated births preceding pregnancy are also a provoking factor.
- Disorders in the endocrine system.
- Chronic diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system, etc.
- Thickening of the placenta can occur due to different Rh factors in the baby and mother.
- Severe gestosis (toxicosis) during pregnancy.
- Detachment of the placenta, at an early stage ; her low position. This can cause a miscarriage.
- Multiple pregnancy.