Maturity of the placenta

As you know, the placenta during pregnancy undergoes numerous changes. First of all, there is a change in its thickness, as well as the degree of development: the number of blood vessels necessary for the normal development of the fetus increases. In medicine, the set of placental parameters is denoted by the term "maturity".

What does the degree of maturity of the placenta mean?

It is generally accepted to allocate 4 degrees of maturity of the child's place, each of which corresponds to a certain period of pregnancy. At the same time, a greater numerical index indicates the limited availability of placental reserves. 3 the degree of maturity is observed, as a rule, at the end of the period of gestation.

What are the degrees of maturity of the placenta?

As already mentioned above, there are only 4 degrees. In this case, the maturity of the placenta is usually determined by the weeks of pregnancy.

1. 0 the degree of maturation of the placenta is observed at a period of up to 30 weeks. Occasionally, doctors set a 0-1 degree, which indicates premature changes in the placenta. Quite often such is observed in consequence of the transferred infectious diseases.
2. 1 degree of maturity of the placenta is observed at a time when the baby's place has completely stopped its growth and only the thickening of the tissues. This period corresponds to 30-34 weeks of pregnancy.
3. 2 the degree of maturation of the placenta is observed in 35-39 weeks of pregnancy. By this time the placenta completely "ripens", i.e. its functions are gradually beginning to fade. Thinning of the tissue membranes occurs in some parts of the child's place, calcareous deposits begin to appear on the surface.
4. 3 the degree of maturity of the placenta is observed at 39-40 weeks of gestation. During this period, doctors especially carefully monitor the state of the child's place, because a partial detachment of the placenta can occur, at which it is necessary to stimulate the birth process.