Although we all hope to have a trouble free pregnancy,
it is still wise to be informed about any potential
problems that could occur, especially in the third
trimester. There are several placenta problems that
a mom-to-be could encounter and these could be serious
and could even put your unborn child at risk.
What is the placenta?
The placenta is a multi-faceted but temporary organ
that helps to nourish your baby and flush out excess
wastes throughout the pregnancy. It is flat and shaped
like a pancake with two sides – the maternal
side attaches to the inside wall of your uterus while
the other fetal side faces the baby and provides him
with nourishment through the umbilical cord.
The maternal side comprises pools of your blood containing
the oxygen and nutrients your baby needs to survive.
The fetal side is made up of thousands of crisscrossing
blood vessels which contain your baby’s blood
and waste products. The placenta acts as a transfer
agent (transferring oxygen and nutrients), as a filter
(keeping waste and chemicals out of your baby’s
system) and offers hormonal support. However, the
placenta cannot provide complete protection from all
dangerous products – you need to be aware that
cigarette smoke, alcohol and certain medications can
cross the placenta and of course this is why it is
vitally important to avoid such products when you
are pregnant.
Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor, midwife or
healthcare provider will be monitoring the health
and development of your placenta. This is mainly done
through ultrasound examinations. They will be looking
for:
Placental grade which refers to the age of the placenta
and which can be determined by the number of white
spots found on the surface of the organ. Too many
of these white spots for your baby’s age could
be a sign that your placenta is aging too quickly.
Placental location which is where your placenta has
attached to your uterus. Typically, this attachment
is at the top of the uterus but it can be the back
or front of the uterus.
Listed below are some placenta problems:
Placenta Previa is where the placenta covers, or
is near, the cervical opening. If your placenta is
very low in the uterus and covering your cervix, then
your baby is prevented from entering the birth canal
properly during labor and delivery. Placenta previa
can be full or partial and can cause bleeding which
may in turn necessitate early delivery and perhaps
other problems. If you have placenta previa when it
is time to deliver, you will need to have a C-section.
However, the good news is that only about 10% of pregnant
women still have the same condition when they come
to deliver their baby. So it does often correct itself.
But if the condition persists, you will be monitored
very carefully especially for any vaginal bleeding.
No intercourse, no vaginal examinations, having to
rest and take it easy might be insisted upon. You
might even be hospitalized.
Placenta Abruption is the early detachment of the
placenta from the uterus, that is before labor and
delivery. This can occur at any time during a pregnancy,
but if it is going to happen, then most of the time
it will take place during the 3rd trimester and, although
in many cases this condition can be successfully treated,
it does increase your chances of a preterm delivery.
Placenta Separation is the separation of the placenta
from the lining of your uterus before delivery. Sadly,
this can be extremely dangerous as the placenta is
the life support system for your baby and such separation
can affect the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your
baby. The symptoms of this condition include vaginal
bleeding, tenderness of the uterus, unexpected and
rapid contractions, pain in the abdomen and abnormalities
with the baby’s heart. If such separation is
partial, the mother-to-be will most likely be put
on bed rest and monitored closely. There may be other
treatments as well. There are certain risks which
can raise the chances of placenta separation taking
place and these include: cocaine use; preeclampsia,
twin or multiple pregnancies, trauma to the abdomen,
uterine abnormalities and if you are over the age
of 35.
Placenta Accreta is a very rare type of placental
complication. It occurs when the placenta attaches
too firmly to the uterine wall, making it impossible
to deliver. Placenta accrete can occasionally result
in uterine rupture or bleeding.
The Placenta at the birth
If all is well when you come to deliver your baby,
then the placenta still plays an important role. After
your baby is born, your body will continue to experience
contractions but on a less painful level. During these
contractions your placenta will separate from the
wall of your uterus and start to move down the birth
canal. You will once again feel that urge to push
and within 30 minutes of the birth of your baby, you
will deliver the placenta. It is important that the
placenta be delivered as intact as possible because
if any pieces remain behind, an infection could result.
Signs of such infection could include uterine tenderness,
bleeding or fever and such signs should be pointed
out to your health care provider.
Obviously every pregnancy is different and this article
serves to give you some background to the placenta
as well as the problems which can occasionally occur.
Your doctor, midwife or healthcare provider are there
to advise and guide you through the months of your
pregnancy – you should never feel awkward about
contacting them with your queries or concerns.
