Medical professionals often use the terms “placental insufficiency” and “placental dysfunction” interchangeably.
Another term for it is “uteroplacental vascular insufficiency.”
It affects roughly 8% of all pregnancies.
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Both may lead to preterm labor and other issues.
Placental insufficiency isn’t the only potential cause of FGR, but it’s a major one.
The developing fetus conserves its resources, leading to decreased overall growth.
A smaller fetus requires fewer nutrients and oxygen to survive.
Mother’s Lack of Symptoms
Mothers who have placental insufficiency dont experience symptoms directly from it.
However, a mother might notice that the baby isnt moving as much as it did during previous pregnancies.
She also might notice that she isnt gaining as much weight as she did in a previous pregnancy.
In preeclampsia, researchers also have found reduced blood flow to the placenta.
It may be that placental insufficiency is one of the causes of preeclampsia in some people.
Both FGR and preeclampsia are risk factors forpreterm labor.
Babies born significantly before their expected due date are more likely to have health problems, like difficulty breathing.
What Causes Placental Insufficiency?
Placental insufficiency happens when the placenta isnt working well.
That helps the fetus grow larger in size and weight.
But sometimes the placenta has a problem and cant do its job well.
Sometimes this happens because the mother just isn’t getting enough food to eat.
Other times it has to do with problems with the placenta itself.
However, the exact problem causing placental insufficiency is often not known.
It can also give a good estimate of the baby’s weight.
These fetuses may also be at higher risk of medical problems, like stillbirth.
This test can be done at the same time as a regular pregnancy ultrasound.
This test uses magnetic fields to get more detailed information about the baby and the placenta.
Treatment of Placental Insufficiency
Unfortunately, placental insufficiency can’t be cured or treated directly.
Monitoring is a key part of treatment for placental insufficiency.
Your medical team will keep a very close eye on you and your baby.
This will be through your regular obstetrical (OB) appointmentsand sometimes additional ones.
This monitoring is very important for giving you the best chance at a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Putting the pregnant person on bed rest may also help improve blood flow to the baby.
If you have placental insufficiency, you may find it helpful to work with a specialist trained inhigh-risk pregnancies.
If the problem is severe, you might need monitoring in the hospital.
Ultrasounds of the baby and of blood flow through important blood vessels can help diagnose placental insufficiency.
There are not good treatments for it.
Know that its not your fault.
Its easy to jump to conclusions.
In fact, many babies dealing with placental insufficiency will go on to live healthy lives.
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