Maturity of the placenta is one of the indicators of the placenta and placental insufficiency. It allows you to assess the physiological and pathological changes in the placenta, starting with the 2nd trimester of pregnancy .
Maturity of the placenta by week
First you need to understand - what does the degree of maturity of the placenta? Generally, the maturation of the placenta is a completely natural process. It is necessary in order to fully and timely provide the needs of the growing fetus. There are 4 stages of maturation of the placenta under conditions of normal pregnancy.
So, the maturity of the placenta for weeks:
- zero degree - ideally it remains so until the 30th week of pregnancy. In this case the placenta has an even and homogeneous structure;
- the first degree - is observed during the period from 27th to 34th week of pregnancy. On average, this degree of maturation of the placenta is observed at 32-33 weeks. In this case, separate echogenic inclusions are visible in the placenta tissues, and the chorionic plate acquires a slightly wavy form;
- the second degree is observed from the 34th to the 39th week. That is, if at 36 weeks on ultrasound results you are put a second degree of maturity of the placenta - this is the norm. The undulation of the chorionic plate increases and multiple echopositive inclusions of small sizes appear;
- the third degree is diagnosed after 37 weeks. It is expressed in the large tortuosity of the chorionic plate and the lobate structure of the placenta itself.
The final aging of the placenta occurs at the very end of pregnancy. At the same time, it becomes smaller in area, salt deposition areas appear in it.
The thickness and degree of maturation of the placenta
The thickness of the placenta is one of the parameters by which the degree of its maturity is determined. The thickness is determined on the widest part of the placenta, where its size is maximum. This indicator is constantly increasing until the term of 36-37 weeks is about 20-40 mm.
After the onset of 37 weeks, the thickness of the placenta begins to decrease or stops at the last digit.
Premature aging of the placenta
If the third degree of aging occurs earlier than after 37 weeks of pregnancy, it is a question of premature aging of the placenta and placental insufficiency. In this case, the woman and the fetus need constant monitoring of the condition.
The causes of premature aging of the placenta: this may be a consequence of intrauterine infection, hormonal disorders, gestosis, threat of miscarriage, bloody discharge in the first trimester, multiple pregnancies. Also, the maturity of the placenta may exceed the norms for Rh-conflict between woman and child and diabetes maternal.
Another indicator that is evaluated during ultrasound is the place of attachment of the placenta. It is good when the placenta is attached to the posterior or anterior wall of the uterus closer to its bottom (the upper part opposite the neck). In this place the placenta is practically
It also happens that the placenta is attached to the throat area - this position is called placenta previa. The woman in this case is shown bed rest and physical rest until the end of pregnancy. By the way, it ends in most cases by the operation of cesarean section.
If the placenta is attached low, during pregnancy it is, in most cases, "pulled up" to the bottom of the uterus. If this did not happen, there is a danger of bleeding in the delivery process. In this case, you need to be prepared for an emergency cesarean section.