Placental insufficiency: a danger for the baby

Most pregnancies are completely unremarkable. And yet they are carefully monitored through regular check-ups. That's a good thing! Because while the belly is rounding, pregnancy-related illnesses can also occur. For example, placental insufficiency.

Many of "my" mums-to-be that I have accompanied had already heard the term "mum-to-be" at the beginning of their first pregnancy. Placental insufficiency heard. They also knew that it was "somehow" dangerous for the baby - but the rest was foggy. So I'd like to enlighten you here about this pregnancy-related condition.

One Placental insufficiency is not a "disease" in the true sense of the word. Rather, this term describes the condition in which the unborn child is no longer sufficiently supplied by the placenta (placenta). This means that the baby no longer receives enough oxygen and nutrients. The colloquial term "placental insufficiency" makes this clear once again. This affects around 2 to 5 per cent of pregnancies. Sometimes the term "calcified placenta" is also used in connection with placental insufficiency.

Let's take a closer look at the placenta and its function: The organ is formed at the beginning of pregnancy and is located on the uterine wall. This placenta is responsible for the exchange of substances between the organisms of mother and child. The baby, in turn, is connected to the placenta via the umbilical cord. Even if the blood circulation of mother and child remain separate, the vessels of the child and those of the mother meet in the placenta. The mother's and baby's blood flow past each other, separated by fine membranes. For example, oxygen and nutrients from your body reach your child via the umbilical cord. And the substances that your baby has broken down are transported into your body via the placenta. In order to supply the baby with everything it needs, almost one litre of blood circulates through the placenta every minute during the last weeks of your pregnancy.

These supply processes are therefore vital for your child. If they no longer function properly, it is obvious that the child is in danger. In the worst case scenario, their life may even be at risk.

Placental insufficiency symptoms: How does shee itself noticeable?

As a rule, a pregnant woman is not aware of the lack of care for her child. Instead, symptoms are noticeable in the baby. These include being too small for the corresponding week of pregnancy and often being less active. In many cases, there is also less amniotic fluid than usual. These symptoms can be detected during check-ups.

A distinction is made between acute and chronic placental insufficiency. An acute form can also develop from the chronic form. 

Acute placental insufficiency develops within a few days or within hours to minutes. The sudden lack of oxygen puts the child's life in danger and can result in premature birth or stillbirth. Acute placental insufficiency usually occurs during birth and can be caused, for example, by premature detachment of the placenta or a labour storm (extremely strong or frequent contractions). In very rare cases, the umbilical cord is also knotted or pushed out (umbilical cord prolapse). In this case, the utmost urgency is required.

The Chronic placental insufficiency develops within weeks or months. Its causes include pre-existing conditions in the mother (e.g. a heart defect, diabetes or High blood pressure, maternal smoking, Pre-eclampsia or infections in which the pathogens are transmitted from mother to child.

How can placental insufficiency be treated?

This depends on whether it is a acute or a chronic placental insufficiency. With the acute form, the focus is always on bringing the baby into the world as quickly as possible. With the chronic form, the aim of the treatment is to ensure that the child can remain in mum's womb for as long as possible.

The chronic For the pregnant woman, shape means above all: (bed)rest, rest, rest! It should be a matter of course that she abstains from cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy anyway. Her blood pressure and blood sugar levels also need to be optimised. Rest also includes reducing stress. The breathing techniques for labour also help with this during pregnancy. Conscious breathing reduces your stress and you get more oxygen to the placenta. This means that your baby is better supplied with oxygen, even in the case of chronic placental insufficiency. Stress hormones cause vasoconstriction. This promotes a deficient supply to the baby. If you manage to reduce your stress, you will lower the stress hormones and thus create better blood flow to the uterus. As a result, your baby will be better supplied in the womb, even in the event of placental insufficiency.

If you have been diagnosed with chronic placental insufficiency, you can help your baby by regularly practising the breathing techniques described in the Online birth preparation course by midwife Katharina at any time. At the same time, you give yourself the chance to master the correct breathing technique during labour. This will help you and your baby to cope well with the birth, even if the placental supply is no longer optimal. Ultimately, the treatment decisions always depend on how pronounced the individual course of the chronic placental insufficiency is.

My tip: In my experience, it is helpful if all pregnant women work together with their midwife or doctor to develop a Birth plan develop. This is particularly important for pregnant women diagnosed with chronic placental insufficiency. This gives them the opportunity to record desired measures for crisis or acute situations. A birth plan is also always a great support for the obstetric team.