The placenta is the most important organ during pregnancy, on which depends - how much the fetus will be provided with oxygen and nutrients. Many factors influence the correctness of placenta formation: viral diseases transferred during pregnancy, the presence of sexual infections, Rh-conflict, bad habits and others. The growth of the placenta normally continues until 37 weeks, by the end of pregnancy it can be somewhat thin. The condition of the placenta is determined only by ultrasound.
How to determine the thickness of the placenta?
The thickness of the placenta is measured by ultrasound for the widest area. In terms of the thickness of the placenta, one can assess its condition and the adequacy of its functions. So, thickening of the placenta can talk about placenta, infection, rhesus conflict, diabetes mellitus or anemia. Such a woman should be strictly registered with a female gynecologist and be examined for possible viruses and infections. Hypoplasia of the placenta or its thinning, can also talk about the presence of pathology in a pregnant woman (the probability of genetic abnormalities is high). In both cases, the placenta can not effectively perform the functions of delivering oxygen and nutrients to it.
Normal values of placental thickness for weeks
Let's consider on what term of pregnancy what thickness of the placenta can be considered the norm.
In the fetal period at 20 weeks, the thickness of the placenta is normally 20 mm. In terms of 21 and 22 weeks - the normal thickness of the placenta corresponds to 21 and 21 mm, respectively. The thickness of the placenta 28 mm corresponds to the 27th week of pregnancy.
The thickness of the placenta at 31, 32 and 33 weeks of gestation should correspond to 31, 32 and 33 mm. A slight deviation from normal indices is not a cause for concern. If the deviations from the norm are significant, then repeated ultrasound diagnosis, dopplerography and cardiotocography are necessary. If the child's condition is satisfactory, then treatment is not necessary.
Each pregnancy period corresponds to certain limits of the norm in terms of the thickness of the placenta. And the doctor who observes the pregnant woman, having seen a change in the thickness of the placenta based on the results of ultrasound, will certainly assign her additional methods of investigation to determine the tactics of treatment.