As the fetus develops in the womb, the structure of the placental tissue also changes. One of the important indicators of the placenta assessed by doctors is its maturity. This article will tell you in more detail about what the second degree of maturity of the placenta means and which week of pregnancy it corresponds to normal.
What does it mean?
Doctors distinguish several degrees of maturity of the placenta, which correspond to certain stages of pregnancy. Determination of the degree of maturity of the placental tissue is necessarily carried out during a comprehensive examination of the expectant mother during different periods of pregnancy.
The general classification of the degrees of maturity of the placenta provides for 4 gradations - from zero to third. It is believed that the older the placenta, the fewer functions it can perform. This is understandable, since the female body by the end of pregnancy gradually begins to prepare for childbirth, after which the placenta is not needed.
The placenta is necessary for the child's body only during the period of its intrauterine life. After birth, the baby can already exist independently. By the time of childbirth, his internal organs and systems have already formed, which means that the child can breathe and independently process all the nutrients he needs for nutrition and growth. During pregnancy, placental tissue took an active part in ensuring these functions.
Each stage of pregnancy must correspond to a certain maturity of the placenta. If this does not happen, then, as a rule, the course of physiological pregnancy is disrupted. A wide variety of causes and pathologies observed in the body of the expectant mother can lead to early "aging" of the placental tissue. In such a situation, doctors carefully monitor the condition of the pregnant woman and her baby, and also plan the further management of the pregnancy.
If the second degree of maturity of the placenta in a woman was found much earlier than the due date, then in the future the expectant mother is prescribed a number of recommendations. So, she must carefully monitor her general condition and the well-being of the child.
If the placental tissue ceases to fully fulfill its functions due to excessively early "aging", then in such a situation the child in the mother's womb will begin to experience some discomfort. This can lead to changes in the baby's heart rate or physical activity. In such a situation, a mandatory consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist and a possible change in tactics for the further management of pregnancy are required.
In some cases, with excessively early maturation of the placenta up to 2-3 degrees of maturity, the expectant mother must be hospitalized in a hospital. A woman can be there until the very birth. This usually happens if the course of pregnancy is greatly complicated and the threat of premature birth appears.
Norm
Placental tissue that has reached maturity stage 2 is also called mature. The characteristic changes that have occurred in the placenta are considered normal for a period of 34-39 weeks of pregnancy.
It is important to note that these data are averaged. So, if a future mother, who is carrying a baby for 32-33 weeks of pregnancy, has a second degree of maturity of the placenta, then she should not panic. In this situation, doctors also necessarily assess how a particular pregnancy is proceeding in general. If the fetus develops well, and his mother does not have any adverse symptoms, then such a somewhat early maturation of the placenta does not threaten anything dangerous.
How to determine?
Determination of the degree of maturity of the placenta is carried out by performing an ultrasound examination. Modern ultrasound machines allow you to study the placental tissue in pregnant women quite accurately. The indicators obtained as a result of the study are quite informative.
In order for the doctor to be able to determine the 2-3 degree of maturity of the placenta, he must note several clinical signs. So, an ultrasound specialist necessarily evaluates the structure of the placental tissue. Earlier in pregnancy, the placenta has a smooth, even surface. There are no external signs of changes on it. As pregnancy progresses, the structure of the placental tissue also changes - it becomes more uneven and even rough.
The placenta, which has a 2 degree of maturity, has depressions and grooves on the outer surface. Its thickness gradually begins to decrease. The depressions that appear in the placental tissue are quite deep and extend into the placenta almost to the basement membrane. During the ultrasound examination of the placental tissue, the specialist also determines the presence of multiple linear bands of echogenic zones.
As the placenta matures, special compacted areas begin to appear in it - calcifications. A maturity 2 placenta with calcifications is considered quite normal. The appearance of dense areas in the placental tissue is associated with changes occurring in the placenta in the final trimester of pregnancy.
The appearance of calcifications in the placental tissue at 34-39 weeks of gestation is quite normal. Many mothers-to-be begin to worry a lot about this when they find out about such an ultrasound “find”. They are worried that the child's blood flow may be disturbed, however, even with calcifications at this time, the placental tissue is able to perform its functions provided by nature.
During a routine ultrasound examination, during which the doctor determines the main clinical parameters of the placenta, Doppler ultrasound is also performed. It is usually performed during an ultrasound examination by the same specialist. The purpose of a Doppler study is to determine the blood flow in the main blood vessels that provide blood supply to the fetus in the uterus.
With Doppler ultrasound, the doctor can assess how well the uteroplacental blood flow is functioning. With premature aging of the placenta, it can worsen, which can also negatively affect the well-being of the fetus. Also, with the help of a Doppler study, doctors can determine the development of placental insufficiency - a dangerous condition that can lead to a disruption in the course of intrauterine development in the fetus. This pathology can also develop with too early maturation of the placenta up to 2-3 degrees in early pregnancy.
Determination of the degree of maturity of the placenta is a very important clinical sign.
In order to timely identify various disorders and pathologically early maturation of the placenta up to the 2nd degree of maturity, the expectant mother must undergo ultrasound examinations prescribed by the doctor. This must be done according to the decreed terms.
To assess the state of the placental tissue, it is very important to conduct dynamic observation. This means that during the final period of pregnancy, women who have been found to have excessively early maturation of the placenta may be ordered several repeated ultrasounds. This is necessary so that doctors can identify in time the dangerous complications that may arise in this condition. This will allow doctors to intervene in a timely manner and choose the optimal tactics for the further management of pregnancy, as well as determine the correct method of obstetrics in a particular case.
In order for the placenta to reach the 2nd degree of maturity only by the due date of pregnancy, the expectant mother should follow a number of recommendations and lead a healthy lifestyle. Scientists have found that active smoking can lead to excessive early maturation of the placenta. All bad habits of expectant mothers while carrying their babies should be excluded.
The normal functioning of the placental tissue will be facilitated by a balanced diet, adequate sleep, elimination of stress, as well as regular walks in the fresh air.
About what the placenta is and what functions it performs, see below.
