Placental insufficiency occurs when the placenta cannot deliver enough nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, which can cause serious problems with the baby’s growth and development. It can be caused by the mother’s habits or medical conditions, and is diagnosed during prenatal checkups. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include bed rest or delivery by cesarean section. To avoid this condition, women should seek prenatal care, avoid harmful substances, and follow a healthy diet plan.
Placental insufficiency, which may also be called placental dysfunction, is a possible pregnancy complication. A woman’s placenta develops naturally during pregnancy to nourish the fetus. Placental insufficiency occurs when the placenta is unable to deliver enough nutrients and oxygen to the fetus.
A woman with this condition typically won’t notice any signs or symptoms, however there may be a couple of clues. If this is not a first pregnancy, the size of the uterus may be smaller than it was in previous pregnancies. It’s also possible that your baby is moving less than usual.
Placental insufficiency can occur due to the mother’s habits or medical condition. For example, women who smoke, consume alcohol, or take recreational drugs during pregnancy can develop this condition. Diabetes and high blood pressure can also cause placental insufficiency.
Sometimes, this condition can occur regardless of the mother’s health or lifestyle choices. Women carrying twins are at risk, due to the possibility that the placenta will not grow large enough to support two babies. It is also possible for the placenta to detach from the surface of the uterus, not stick to its surface, or to bleed.
A doctor typically diagnoses placental insufficiency during regular prenatal checkups. He will do ultrasound tests to monitor how the baby is growing. Assessment of the baby’s heart rate is also routine. In the middle of your pregnancy, your doctor will start measuring your uterus. If any of these tests are abnormal, placental dysfunction may be suspected.
Treatment for this condition may depend on the underlying cause or contributing factors. If the mother has diabetes or high blood pressure, the doctor can recommend an acceptable plan for treating these conditions during pregnancy. Mothers who use harmful substances during pregnancy should stop doing so, as well as get addiction counseling and treatment. Women may also be advised to have bed rest until delivery.
Placental insufficiency can cause serious problems with your baby’s growth and development. Babies who are deprived of adequate nutrients and oxygen are unable to develop normally. They may suffer from low birth weight, which can contribute to complications during delivery, such as abnormal bleeding. It may be necessary to deliver babies by cesarean section. The child is also at long-term risk for other complications, such as seizures, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities.
To avoid placental insufficiency and other pregnancy complications, women should seek prenatal care as soon as possible. Pregnant mothers should avoid the consumption of harmful substances and follow a healthy diet plan as recommended by their doctors. A woman who has other medical conditions should notify her doctor immediately for proper treatment of both the mother and the baby.
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