Clinics in Mother and Child Health

Complications of the Placenta During Pregnancy

Maria Jesus^* Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
^*Correspondence: Maria Jesus, Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Email:

Received: 10-Dec-2021 Published: 31-Dec-2021

Study Description

The placenta is a fascinating organ that grows inside your uterus (womb) during pregnancy. It takes calories and oxygen from your blood to feed the baby. When something goes wrong with the placenta, it can be extremely dangerous for both the mother and the infant.

What does normal placenta seems to be?

The placenta is normally attached to the top or side of the uterus and the umbilical cord connects it to the infant. A normal placenta will weigh between 700 and 800 g by the time the baby is born.

The placenta is normally released through the vaginal canal 5 to 30 minutes after the infant is born in a normal birth. This is what is referred to as the third stage of labour. If you have a caesarean section, the placenta will be removed at the same time as the infant.

Complications

The placenta does not always expand as it should. This can have an impact on the baby's growth and health, as well as cause issues during delivery.

Chronic Histiocytic Intervillositis (CHI): It is a very rare illness that can harm the placenta during pregnancy. The immune system of the mother reacts improperly to the pregnancy in CHI, causing damage to the placenta and raising the chance of miscarriage and stillbirth. Unfortunately, there have been no signs of CHI, and it can only be detected after a pregnancy. Women who have had CHI in the past will receive special therapy and care in future pregnancies to help avoid complications.

Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR): It is a pregnancy disorder in which a baby's growth is slowed or stopped. The failure of the placenta is the most common cause of FGR; however other factors such as intrauterine infection and smoking during pregnancy can also contribute. Around 3% of pregnancies result in FGR.

Anterior placenta: When the placenta attaches to the front wall of the uterus, it is called an anterior placenta. This is a common site for the placenta to implant and develop, and it's unlikely to cause any problems. Because your baby is cushioned by the placenta laying in the front of your tummy, having an anterior placenta can make it difficult to feel your baby move.

Low-lying placenta (Placenta praevia): The placenta attaches lower down and may cover part or the entire cervix in a low-lying placenta (also known as placenta praevia) (the entrance to the womb). So this can cause bleeding during pregnancy or during delivery, you may need to give birth in a hospital. You won't be able to birth vaginally if the placenta is close to or covers the cervix, and you'll need a caesarean section.

Placental abruption: Placental abruption is a serious disorder in which the placenta begins to pull away from the womb wall before the baby is born. This is an emergency because it indicates that the baby's support system is deteriorating. Placental abruption is a rare complication that affects around 1% of all pregnancies.

Placenta accrete: When the placenta is connected and buried too deeply into the uterine wall, it is known as placenta accreta. This is a rare pregnancy issue that makes it difficult to deliver the placenta after the baby is born.

Retained placenta: The womb will be constricted after your baby is born, and the placenta will be delivered. This is called the third stage of labour. The placenta or a portion of the placenta, as well as the membranes, can sometimes remain in the womb. This is referred to as a retained placenta. A retained placenta isn't extremely common, but if it isn't addressed, it can lead to difficulties.

Vasa praevia: Blood vessels from the umbilical cord enter the placenta directly in most pregnancies. These vessels are not protected by the umbilical cord or placental tissue in vasa praevia. Instead, they pass beneath the baby, across the entrance to the delivery canal. These blood arteries are extremely fragile. When they tear during labour or when your waters break, blood loss might occur. Vasa praevia is uncommon, yet it can be harmful because the blood lost is your baby's blood.