The placenta is an organ that develops in the uterine wall when a woman is pregnant. The critical functions of the placenta during pregnancy include the growth and development of the fetus (1). It is responsible for carrying the oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and removing the waste from the fetal blood. A placenta is a life-supporting organ for the growing fetus; however, sometimes, its functions may be hindered due to several factors, such as blood clots, abdominal trauma, and blood pressure. These factors may lead to pregnancy complications. This post informs you about the functions of the placenta, the problems related to it, the symptoms of such complications, and ways to reduce the risk.
Why Is The Placenta Important?
The placenta is your unborn baby’s life support system and plays a key role in its development. It connects the mother to the fetus through the umbilical cord and carries out the functions your fetus cannot perform by itself (2).
Functions Of The Placenta During Pregnancy
The placenta serves the functions of organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and liver until your fetus develops them. Some of the main functions that the placenta performs include (1) (3):
Factors That Affect The Placental Function
Various factors can affect the placental function during pregnancy and make the mother prone to certain risks. They may include:
Problems Related To The Placenta
Some of the possible problems related to the placenta include:
Placental abruption: It is a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery. It could deprive the fetus of oxygen and nutrients and may result in premature birth, stillbirth, and growth problems; it can cause severe bleeding (13). One-third of the cases of abruption are associated with any form of hypertension.
Placenta previa: It occurs when the placenta lies low in the lower uterine segment of uterus and covers the opening of the cervix partially or totally. It may, therefore, block the baby’s exit from the womb, resulting in preterm labor, placental tear, and antepartum and intrapartum hemorrhage (14) (15).
Placenta accreta: This rare complication occurs when the placenta grows into the uterine wall and is unable to be detached properly during delivery. It could lead to vaginal bleeding during and after delivery (16).
Retained placenta: A part of the placenta or membranes remain intact in the womb after childbirth. It may occur when the placenta gets stuck behind a uterine muscle. It could be a life-threatening condition and requires manual removal of placenta (MROP) after a few hours of delivery (17).
Placental insufficiency: The placenta may not be able to transfer nutrients to the fetus. It may lead to fetal growth restriction (FGR), stillbirth, and low birth weight (18).
Anterior placenta: The placenta develops on the front of the uterus with the fetus behind it. It could make it difficult for you to feel the fetal kicks and for sonographers to find the heartbeat. It may lead to placental abruption, intrauterine growth restriction, and fetal death (19).
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Placental Problems?
The signs and symptoms that may indicate placental problems include:
Vaginal bleeding Back pain Abdominal pain Constant uterine contractions Decreased fetal movement
You should see your doctor if you begin to experience these symptoms suddenly and often.
Can You Reduce The Risk Of Placental Problems?
You might not be able to prevent several of the placental problems. But you may take a few measures for a healthy pregnancy.
Go for regular prenatal checkups.
Manage health conditions such as blood pressure and gestational diabetes.
Quit smoking and use of illegal drugs.
Inform your doctor if you had any placental problem in your previous pregnancy or had any surgery of the uterus.
How Is The Placenta Delivered?
Usually there are mild contractions (sometimes there may not) that could help the placenta to separate from the uterine wall and move through the birth canal. In a vaginal delivery, the third stage of labor begins with childbirth and ends with placental delivery. Your practitioner may inject Pitocin (oxytocin) into your body to induce uterine contraction and speed up placenta expulsion (20). In a C-section, your practitioner physically removes the placenta before closing the incision. The remaining fragments are removed to prevent infection and bleeding (21).
Does A Doctor Check For Placental Abnormalities Even Without Symptoms?
During the regular ultrasound scans, the healthcare practitioner checks for all possible placental abnormalities. Placental conditions are likely to be associated with vaginal bleeding, and it is important to seek medical attention.
