The placenta is a temporary organ that forms in the body of a woman during pregnancy. His mission is simple - to ensure successful bearing and development of the fetus.
Placenta functions
The placenta in the female body is formed until the 16th week of pregnancy, provided that everything goes fine. A fertilized egg is fixed in the uterus, which gives a signal to the development of the placenta. It performs very important functions: it provides the future baby with the right amount of useful and nutrients, and also transports oxygen to it.
An ultrasound can determine the thickness of this important organ, and then it is easy to analyze whether its purpose is fully implemented.
What is hyperplasia?
Hyperplasia of the placenta is called its excessive thickening when it does not meet the standards of development. This means that in the body of a woman there are some pathologies. Analysis of the thickness of the placenta is advisable to carry out, starting from the 20th week of pregnancy.
What is normal thickness? Depending on the gestational age, the thickness of the placenta in millimeters is also determined. That is, as many millimeters should be approximately how much corresponds to the gestational age.
Placental maturity
The peak growth of the embryonic organ occurs at 37 weeks. Its thickness is normal during this period should be 33.7 mm. After which the placenta no longer grows, but even decreases slightly. By birth, normally its thickness can be 33.2 mm.
In this regard, five degrees of maturity of the embryonic organ are distinguished. The thickness of the placenta is considered to be the zero degree until the 30th week of pregnancy, the first degree of maturity is 34-36 weeks, with the existing pathology - 27-28 weeks, the second degree - 34-38 weeks, the third degree - from 38 weeks. The fourth degree of maturity is considered to be the state of this important organ before the birth itself. During this period, his aging begins.
In some cases, the placenta may be excessively thin. This condition is also a pathology, but not as dangerous as hyperplasia. Often found in thin and petite women.
When is placental hyperplasia most common during pregnancy? 20 weeks is a critical period.
The maximum growth of the placenta occurs precisely in the last 20 weeks. Its thickness is most often measured at the place where the umbilical cord is attached to it. Of course, when measuring her size, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of a woman. If there are deviations in the thickness of the placenta, this can be fraught with unpleasant consequences for the fetus. With hyperplasia, the embryonic organ thickens in some cases up to 60 mm.
What are the main causes of placental hyperplasia?
There are certain factors that can trigger hyperplasia. Let's consider them in more detail:
- Clinical incompatibility of the mother and the fetus by blood (Rhesus conflict or incompatibility by blood group). In this case, intrauterine blood transfusion is most often required.
- Genetic mutations.
- The development of acute viral infections. Antiviral therapy may be necessary.
- Hemoglobin in the blood decreases significantly, iron deficiency anemia develops. It will require an increase in its level. This can be done with special iron preparations.
- Blood sugar rises, which leads to the development of diabetes. Careful control of sugar is needed, with increasing it must be reduced.
- As a result of chronic genital infections (ureaplasma, toxoplasma, syphilis, mycoplasma, chlamydia, gonorrhea).
In connection with these pathological conditions, placental hyperplasia manifests itself. Why is this dangerous? This will be discussed below.
In the early stages (in the 1st and 2nd trimesters), thickening often occurs due to infectious diseases. So the body itself is trying to protect the fetus.
Hemolytic disease of the fetus is often detected precisely by the thickness of the placenta. Sometimes there is an abnormal proliferation of blood vessels when the circulation of the placenta and the fetus is formed.
In rare cases, doctors are not able to understand why this important organ is thickening.
Signs of a thickening of the placenta
What does placental hyperplasia mean, we figured it out. But what are the symptoms of this pathology?
In short pregnancy, the placenta can also increase. This can only be determined by ultrasound. There are no other signs talking about the development of pathology.
When the period is already quite large, there are certain symptoms of hyperplasia:
- Change in the nature of fetal movements. He may begin to move too actively or, conversely, become too calm.
- The heartbeat of the fetus can also slow down or, conversely, accelerate (this is how tachycardia or bradycardia manifests itself), but cardiotocography is required to determine this symptom. The fetus has a normal heart rate of 140-160 beats per minute. If there are constant jumps in the frequency of strokes from acceleration to deceleration, this indicates that the fetus experiences oxygen starvation (hypoxia).
If a woman has diabetes, then hyperplasia develops polyhydramnios or an excessive amount of amniotic fluid. A pregnant woman finds hyperglycemia, insulin synthesis increases, metabolic acidosis appears.
If placental hyperplasia is not detected in a timely manner, a serious condition of the fetus develops, in which it can die as a result of spontaneous abortion.
Diagnostic Methods
As mentioned above, the thickening of the embryonic organ can only be determined by ultrasound.
But in order to identify the causes of hyperplasia, additional tests and examinations of the expectant mother will be required:
- blood test for biochemistry;
- cardiotocography of the fetus;
- general urine analysis;
- general blood analysis;
- tests for the presence of genital infections, including TORCH infections can be detected;
- determination in blood of antibodies to various bacteria and viruses;
- Doppler study;
- taking a gynecological smear to determine pathogenic microflora.
Hyperplasia treatment
So, all the necessary tests have been submitted, the studies have been completed. Then revealed placental hyperplasia and its cause. The expectant mother must be hospitalized if this pathology affects the fetal development. The woman will receive the necessary treatment in a hospital setting.
The thickness of the placenta can be adjusted using special drugs. They also provide good microcirculation in the embryonic organ. It is advisable to prescribe drugs that help the blood thin out.
Oxygenation of the fetus and placenta is also provided by special medications. Essential phospholipids will help cells not break down, because they have good building functions.
After all, hyperplasia of the placenta is extremely dangerous. Treatment does not end there.
What treatment methods are still used?
Also individually applicable can be applied:
- Vitamin Therapy. The expectant mother should eat well, but sometimes this is not enough. After all, the baby needs a lot of useful substances and vitamins. For this, their reception from the outside is appointed.
- Treatment for viruses and infections. This is necessary if they led to hyperplasia.
- Therapy of gestosis in the later stages. Gestosis in itself is very dangerous, especially if combined with a thickening of such an important embryonic organ as the placenta.
- Intrauterine blood transfusion with incompatibility of the blood of the fetus and its mother.
- Normalization of blood sugar levels. This is necessary when the cause of placental hyperplasia is such a serious disease as diabetes.
When may hyperplasia treatment not be required? If the placenta is slightly thickened, the fetus develops, and all indicators are within normal limits, then there is no need for treatment.
If there is incompatibility in the blood of the mother and the child, then such a pregnancy will most likely need to be interrupted. In this case, intrauterine blood transfusion can help. Today it is the only way to treat such a pathology.
In severe iron deficiency anemia, a diet enriched with foods high in iron is prescribed. But one diet will not be enough. Then apply drugs that contain ferrous iron and vitamin C.
Placental hyperplasia: consequences
What is the main danger of such a pathology? About it further.
There are quite serious consequences of thickening of the placenta. Here are some of them:
- This pathology can cause fetoplacental insufficiency. As a result, the future baby may lack various nutrients, and due to insufficient oxygen supply, fetal hypoxia may occur.
- These factors will slow intrauterine development, as well as adversely affect the process of childbirth.
- Hyperplasia of the placenta during pregnancy will lead to chronic fetal hypoxia, which will also adversely affect its development.
- The fetus may die in the womb.
- Amniotic fluid can change in volume (this will lead to polyhydramnios or low water).
- Pregnancy may end prematurely.
Recommendations
Expectant mothers must necessarily be registered in the antenatal clinic in order to timely diagnose various deviations from the norm. Since the expectant mother herself is not able to determine any pathology dangerous to her health.
If a doctor is diagnosed, then all his recommendations should be followed. After all, placental hyperplasia during pregnancy can be very dangerous. Treatment should be comprehensive and timely. If a woman is shown to stay in the hospital, she must always listen to what the doctor tells her.
Therapy, first of all, is aimed at ensuring that the future baby develops fully. In order for the pregnancy to end safely and the baby is born healthy, it is necessary to find out the reason why the placenta pathology arose.
Conclusion
The best prevention of severe pathologies is careful pregnancy planning. Before conception, the body must be prepared for bearing a baby. To do this, they take tests for all kinds of sexually transmitted infections, undergo a comprehensive examination to identify abnormalities in health. If any chronic diseases are found, they must be treated before pregnancy. After all, the future mother is contraindicated in taking medication. Examination, and if necessary treatment, must be passed to a man who will participate in the process of conception.
We examined placental hyperplasia during pregnancy.