Premature maturation of the placenta: causes, symptoms and treatment features

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Most pregnant women are prone to excessive anxiety and fear for themselves and their baby. That is why, having heard the words "premature aging of the placenta" at the next examination, they are horrified. Is it really that dangerous? What are the causes and consequences of this condition?

Functions of the placenta

This organ is formed in the body of a woman in the process of intrauterine development of the fetus. The placenta is essential for the baby as it performs the following functions:

1. Providing oxygen and nutrition to the fetus. The placenta consists of a large number of blood vessels through which the necessary nutrients are supplied to the baby's body.



2. Produce the necessary hormones to prepare a woman for childbirth and motherhood, as well as breastfeeding.
3. Filtration of maternal blood from substances harmful to the child.
4. Removal of fetal waste products through the bloodstream.

The placenta isa vital organ that ensures the safety of the fetus until the very birth, so any changes in its structure should alert and become a reason for contacting a antenatal clinic.

What is premature ripening?

Normally, the degree of maturity of the placenta should correspond to the gestational age. What does premature maturation of the placenta mean? This term refers to the aging process. It does not correspond to the gestational age.

At 33 weeks, premature maturation of the placenta threatens to reduce its functionality, which will greatly complicate the further normal development of the baby in the uterus. Failure to fulfill "duties" leads to a lack of oxygen for the respiration of the fetus. As a result, hypoxia, early rupture of amniotic fluid may occur, and serious pathologies of the child's development will appear.

Degrees of maturation of the placenta

The organ develops from the moment of attachment and the beginning of the growth of the embryo and continues its growth until the eighth month of pregnancy. There are several stages of placental maturation:

1. From 2 to 30 weeks of pregnancy, the body grows and develops.
2. From 30 to 33 weeks there is a 2nd stage of maturation, when the placenta increases in size.
3. From 34 to 37 weeks of pregnancy, maturation occurs, during which it is finally formed.
4. After this period, the natural aging of the organ begins and preparation for natural extraction during labor.

Premature maturation of the placenta is diagnosed in the case of preparing the organ for childbirthwell ahead of schedule.

Causes of pathology

The following factors can provoke early aging of the placenta:

1. Negative effects of toxic substances on a woman's body, including smoking and drinking alcohol.



2. The presence of chronic diseases of the cardiovascular and excretory systems.
3. Thyroid disorders.
4. Previous labor or abortion.
5. Improper diet during pregnancy.
6. Preeclampsia - a condition in which a pregnant woman experiences a state of toxicosis in the later stages.



7. Carrying a multiple pregnancy.
8. Presence of uterine injury or infectious diseases of the organ.
9. Mismatch of Rh factors in the blood of mother and child. As a result, the parental organism begins to perceive the fetus as a foreign body and reject it in every possible way.
10. Mother is overweight or underweight.

In addition, diabetes mellitus, some kidney diseases, and disorders of the structure of the walls of the uterus can also become causes of premature maturation of the placenta.

Diagnosis of pathology

Unfortunately, at 34 weeks, premature maturation of the placenta does not have pronounced symptoms by which a woman could determine the pathology. In this case, you should rely on routine examinations during pregnancy, which can identify the problem. For condition diagnosisthe following methods are used:

1. Ultrasound diagnosis makes it possible to visually determine the presence of a problem. In addition, ultrasound is a relatively inexpensive and safe method for detecting pathologies.



2. After an ultrasound, a cardiotocography procedure may be prescribed to confirm the diagnosis. It consists in studying the activity of the fetus, which makes it clear whether the child receives enough nutrients.

Premature maturation of the placenta at 20 weeks to 36 weeks is considered a pathological condition.

Possible danger

At 32 weeks pregnant, premature maturation of the placenta can be dangerous for both mother and baby. It threatens with the following troubles:

• the barrier function of the placenta decreases, as a result of which the fetus becomes more susceptible to a variety of infections and viruses that can cause malformations;
• in the early stages (before 23 weeks of gestation), aging of the placenta can lead to pregnancy failure due to insufficient oxygen and nutrients;
• due to insufficient intake of essential trace elements through the blood vessels, the development of the child may slow down.

The greatest danger is that the woman herself does not feel her condition. The only thing that can alert you is that suddenly the child has become more or less active in the womb, but many pregnant women find out about their condition only at a planned ultrasound.

Treatment of pathology

KUnfortunately, at 32 weeks, premature maturation of the placenta cannot be treated. However, there is a complex that helps stop the aging process and establish normal communication between the placenta, mother and child. It includes the following points:

1. Even at this late pregnancy, it's not too late to quit smoking, despite the myths that it's a lot of stress on the fetus. A child is exposed to a much greater negative impact under the influence of harmful substances that enter his body through the placenta. She, in turn, is not able to filter harmful substances from cigarette smoke, so the process of early aging starts.
2. If you have a history of diabetes, you should carefully monitor the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood, as their excess can cause premature maturation.
3. When inflammatory processes are detected in the uterus, it is necessary to treat them in a timely manner.
4. With late toxicosis or gestosis, a pregnant woman is prescribed drugs that reduce the toxic effect on the tissues of the internal genital organs.

In some cases, medical maintenance of pregnancy is necessary to avoid the threat of miscarriage or fetal fading:

• "Trental", "Actovegin" and "Kurantil", which are used to improve blood circulation.
• Vitamins A, E, C are necessary to ensure the transport function of the placenta.
• Drugs to reduce the tone of the uterus, in the absence of contraindications, most often prescribed"Ginipral".

When making a diagnosis at the 33rd week of pregnancy - "premature maturation of the placenta" - it is important not only to prescribe adequate treatment, but also to keep the condition of the woman and the fetus under control. Often, a pregnant woman is placed in a hospital to save the baby.

Comorbidities

Often, pathological aging of the placenta is accompanied by diseases that also require treatment. Most often this occurs at 20-27 weeks of pregnancy.

1. For genital infections, the drug "Geviran" is prescribed, which must be taken for 10 days.
2. Chlamydia infection is treated with Wilprafen.
3. For the treatment of mycoplasmosis, "Proteflazid" or "Riboxin" is used.
4. Toxoplasmosis requires daily folic acid, Daraprim.

These infections can be contracted through contact with street and domestic animals, as well as through unprotected intercourse.

If left untreated, they can significantly affect the development of the fetus.

Prevention measures

It is impossible to be 100% sure that premature aging of the placenta will not occur. However, if you follow simple recommendations, you can significantly increase the chances of easy pregnancy and childbirth:

1. When planning a future pregnancy, a woman must undergo a full diagnosis and in advancetreat existing diseases that can affect the conception and development of the fetus.
2. You should give up bad habits such as smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages in advance of pregnancy.
3. A woman should have moderate exercise and a normal daily routine.
4. During the period of pregnancy planning, it is necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist in order to detect pathology in a timely manner.
5. After consulting a doctor, you can start taking multivitamins, folic acid, which will help saturate a woman's body with the necessary nutrients that are important for bearing a fetus.
6. You should follow a diet and avoid harmful foods.



7. During pregnancy, a woman should not ignore a doctor's prescription and undergo all necessary examinations, including ultrasound and dopplerography.
8. Chronic illnesses during pregnancy should be monitored more closely.

In most cases, premature aging of the placenta does not pose a great danger, but requires constant support and monitoring of the pregnant woman.