Search Results for: antenatal

Transverse baby: All You Need To Know

The womb is a special room for babies from conception to birth. It contains everything your baby needs to survive and develop during pregnancy. Furthermore, it provides support, nourishment, and a place for recreation for your baby. In addition to all these, your baby’s position in the womb is really important. Especially when you have a transverse baby bump.

As we mentioned earlier, babies assume different positions in the womb, which can also be referred to as the ‘lie’. This is really important because a baby’s lie may determine the outcome during delivery. Therefore, your doctor or midwife would be really particular about knowing your baby’s lie as you await delivery day.

transverse baby bump

In this article, you’d discover all you need to know about an important baby position during pregnancy- The Transverse Position.

Who’s A Transverse Baby?

As we mentioned earlier, babies assume different lies or positions in their mother’s womb.

A lie is simply the relationship between the mother’s spine and that of the baby. When the spine of the mother is in the same direction as that of the baby, then the lie is longitudinal. Whereas the attitude of the foremost part of the baby coming out of the birth canal is the baby’s position.

A transverse baby is a baby that lies horizontally in the mother’s womb. It is also described as a baby lying sideways in the womb or even the shoulder presentation.

This way, the baby’s spine forms a perpendicular angle to the mother’s spine.

A longitudinal baby has the normal lie. This is because it affords easy passage and delivery through the birth canal. Especially when the baby is presenting with the head, a longitudinal baby can be safely delivered through the vagina without a hitch.

However, the horizontal diameter of the transverse baby is longer than the maternal pelvis. This makes the delivery of a transverse baby almost impossible through the vagina.

What Causes Transverse Baby?

In the early stages of pregnancy, your baby can assume different lies- normal or abnormal. The lie can keep changing at will due to their small size as compared to the size of the womb. This affords them the luxury to kick and turn around. Towards the latter stage of pregnancy and close to delivery, they assume their definitive lie and position.

Only about one in 500 babies will eventually assume a transverse lie at delivery. The rest of the babies will change to the lie which favors delivery. Sadly, experts are still unable to identify the specific cause of the transverse baby bump position.

transverse baby bump

However, some of the major risk factors include:

  • Pelvic mass: A mass in the pelvis could be a tumor of the cervix, fibroid, or other soft tissue. The presence of a mass will disturb the way the baby lies in the womb. As a result, the baby may assume a transverse lie.
  • Polyhydramnios; This is a condition in which there’s excess amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac. The baby bathes and moves around in the amniotic fluid. When there is excess fluid, there is more space for the baby to turn around. So, there is a high chance of a transverse baby.
  • Abnormal placenta position: When the placenta occupies the lower part of the womb, it is regarded as placenta previa. It has been shown that placenta previa is frequently associated with the transverse baby positio.
  • Multiple pregnancies: They are higher-order pregnancies which could be twins, triplets, or more. The babies in multiple pregnancy have to fit in the mother’s womb. When this happens, one of the babies may have to assume a transverse lie while the other assumes a normal longitudinal lie.

What Are The Effects of a Transverse Baby?

A transverse baby at the time of delivery makes labor difficult.

In most cases, it causes obstructed labor. An obstructed labor occurs when labor comes to a complete halt due to mechanical obstruction. When this happens, it puts the baby at risk of complications such as birth trauma, stillbirth, or fetal distress.

The mother also becomes prone to complications such as uterine rupture, maternal injury, and hemorrhage.

Other complications associated with a transverse baby include;

  • Cord prolapse
  • Premature birth
  • Shoulder dystocia.

To prevent these complications, the recommended mode of delivery for a transverse baby is by a Caesarean section.

How Identify a transverse baby

A transverse baby bump is easily identified by an ultrasound scan.

An ultrasound scan helps to correctly determine the lie of your baby. It also determines other important parameters as regards the position and presentation of the baby.

transverse baby bump

During a clinical examination, it can also be determined through a process called the Leopold maneuver.

It involves palpating the uterus through the abdomen. When the head or the buttock of the baby is felt on the right or left side of the mother’s abdomen, it suggests a transverse baby.  The doctor may also notice that the length of the womb does not correspond with the month of pregnancy (gestational age).

What Happens Next?

Thankfully, some maneuvers may be performed to change a transverse baby to a normal longitudinal lie. However, it is important to note that these maneuvers do not come with a 100% success rate.

The External Cephalic Version

This is a procedure done after 36 weeks of gestation.

It aims at safely turning the baby from a transverse to a longitudinal lie. It is also used for other reasons such as turning a breech baby into a cephalic baby. An external cephalic version is done by a trained birth doctor or nurse in a hospital with a facility for an emergency Caesarean section. This is because the mother can fall into labor during the procedure.

Conclusion

The ultimate goal of all pregnancies is a safe delivery. A baby that assumes a transverse lie in the mother’s womb at the time of birth poses difficulty during delivery. With regular antenatal clinic visits, a transverse baby can be easily picked by the doctor or midwife. This allows for adequate preparation for the best means of delivery of the baby.

We are always here to help!

References

Hankins GD, Hammond TL, Snyder RR, Gilstrap LC 3rd. Transverse lie. Am J Perinatol. 1990 Jan;7(1):66-70. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-999449. PMID: 2131781.

Urine Color Changes In Pregnancy

Everything matters during pregnancy- including your urine. In this period, your doctor would even insist on checking your urine color at every antenatal visit. This is really important because your urine color may be indicative of various conditions during pregnancy.

In this article, you’d find all the info about urine color changes during pregnancy. Furthermore, you’d learn about the various abnormal urine colors; why it occurs, what it means, and what to do next.

Let’s Get Started!

 What Should Your Urine Look Like?

In most cases, normal urine is clear and pale yellow in color.  The yellow color is due to a certain component of your urine called urochrome. However, the color and consistency of urine depend on your health status and body water levels.

During pregnancy, the color of your urine paints a fairly accurate picture of your health status. As a result, it’s important to monitor the color and consistency of your urine to ensure that you and your baby are staying healthy during this period.

urine

What Causes Urine Color Changes During Pregnancy?

Since you got your positive pregnancy test result, you may have noticed an obvious change in the color of your urine. In most cases, the color of urine during pregnancy may shift from the usual pale yellow to a darker or brighter shade of yellow. Furthermore, you may also notice that your urine has become cloudier than it used to be.

As we mentioned earlier, the color of your urine may serve as an indicator of your overall health during pregnancy. Therefore, it’s really helpful to have a solid grasp of urine color variations in this period.

Keep reading to learn more!

 Urine Color Changes in Pregnancy

In this section, you’d learn about the most common urine color changes during pregnancy; the causes, effects, and what to do next.

1. Green Urine

Most times, this appears as an effect of medication. Sometimes, common drugs like promethazine which is used to treat morning sickness or allergies may cause your urine to look greenish. Also, painkillers like Indomethacin or antacids like Cimetidine can also cause greenish pee.

2. Red Urine

This bit may look a lot scarier than it really is.

Experts agree that red-colored urine may result from a number of causes that include medical conditions and dietary changes.

urine color

Blood in urine, or hematuria, may be a sign of a serious medical condition that requires a doctor’s examination as promptly as possible. On the other hand, dietary changes like increased consumption of blackberries or beetroot may cause your urine to look redder than usual.

3. Orange Urine

Once again, the drugs are responsible.

Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics like Rifampicin or pain-relief drugs like phenazopyridine that may change the color of your urine to orange during pregnancy.

In addition, dietary changes that include a rise in carrot consumption may have an orange-coloring effect on your urine.

4. Dark Colored Urine

This bit is very simple: If your urine looks darker than usual, you’re most likely dehydrated.

As we mentioned earlier, your body water level plays a key role in the color and consistency of your urine. In normal situations, your urine should look pale yellow or bright yellow, depending on how much water you consume.

During pregnancy, we recommend drinking at least eight (8) glasses of water daily.

Here’s how to avoid dehydration while expecting: Check your morning pee. If it looks darker than it does on other days, you’re most likely falling short on your water intake.

Although everyone needs to stay hydrated, the stakes are even higher for moms-to-be. This is because you’re caring for two (or more) individuals. In addition, water helps your body produce enough amniotic fluid, build new cells, carry nutrients, and prevent indigestion.

If water seems too bland for you, you can check this article to discover 10 pregnancy-safe Starbucks drinks for you.

What To Do Next

In most cases, you don’t have to worry about urine color changes while expecting. Although it is important to keep an eye out for these changes, most of them would pass with time.

If your urine is darker than usual, just raise your glass and drink more water!

However, if you notice any blood in your urine, please contact your doctor ASAP.

Conclusion

Finally, it is important to note that these changes should not last beyond 2 or 3 days. If it is caused by prescribed drug use, it is likely to stop once you’re done with your drug dosage. All you have to do in this period is monitor the changes, drink enough water, and stay healthy for you and your little one.

Stay Strong, Mama.

References
  • Rigaud M, Sevalho Corçao C, Perrier ET, Boesen-Mariani S. Assessing a Tool for Self-Monitoring Hydration Using Urine Color in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: A Cross-Sectional, Online Survey. Ann Nutr Metab. 2017;70 Suppl 1:23-29. doi: 10.1159/000463000. Epub 2017 Jun 15. PMID: 28614810.
  • Aycock RD, Kass DA. Abnormal urine color. South Med J. 2012 Jan;105(1):43-7. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e31823c413e. PMID: 22189666.

Vacuum Extraction: All You Need To Know

Delivery sometimes brings with it some unexpected surprises. Even when everything is done by the book, including regular antenatal clinics and exercise, stuff may just go off the plan during delivery. At this point, a vacuum extraction is a safe and reliable alternative.

As you’d find out later in this post, a vacuum extraction is a type of assisted delivery.

This article provides you with all you need to know about vacuum extraction delivery; what it is, why it is needed, and the potential risks involved.

Keep reading to learn more!

What’s A Vacuum Extraction?

A vacuum extraction is simply a vacuum-assisted delivery.

It is performed during a stalled vaginal delivery. In plain terms, a stalled delivery occurs when the mother can no longer push effectively or when the baby has not moved further down for a few hours.

Vacuum Extraction

This procedure happens in the pushing stage of labor, when the baby’s head is already in the birth canal, waiting to be delivered.

When Is It Needed?

Vacuum extraction may become an option if the labor meets any of the following criteria:

  • Prolonged duration
  • High risk of complications.
  • If following a normal cervical dilatation, the membranes have ruptured and the baby has descended into the birth canal with the head first, but the mother is unable to push her baby out.
  • If your baby is at risk of developing complications e.g. fetal distress or when there’s a change in your baby’s heartbeat.
  • Underlying medical conditions that may be a contraindication for you to push for too long, e.g. high blood pressure, aortic valve stenosis.

When Is A Vacuum Extraction Unadvisable?

In some situations, doctors would NOT go along with vacuum extraction. These include:

  • Breech presentation i.e. the baby’s shoulders, arms, buttocks, or feet are leading the way of the birth canal instead of the head.
  • The pregnancy is less than 34 weeks old.
  • The baby has a health condition that affects the strength of his or her bones.
  • The baby’s head is not yet at the center of the birth canal.
  • If the size of the baby bigger than the pelvis or the size of the pelvis is smaller than your baby.

Vacuum Extraction Procedure

Before a vacuum extraction becomes an option, your physician would have tried other ways to help your labor progress. Some of these ways include adjusting your anesthesia to encourage a more effective pushing or stimulating stronger contractions by an intravenous administration of Oxytocin.

Furthermore, another option is to conduct an episiotomy. This procedure involves making an incision in the tissue between your vagina and your anus. This helps to increase the size of your vagina to aid delivery.

After pursuing all the symptoms above, and a vacuum extraction is still the most effective option available, your doctor would explain the process and ask for your consent.

What Happens Next?

The first step is to administer an epidural if you’ve not had one beforehand. This is really good because it would help numb or block any form of pain during the procedure. Next, you’d have to lie on your back and spread your legs while holding on to the bed handles for support.

When the process starts, your attending physician will insert the vacuum cup into your vagina and place the cup against your baby’s head. At your next contraction, your physician will increase the vacuum suction pressure rapidly and grasp the cup’s handle. This would carefully guide your baby through the birth canal as you push.

Vacuum

Once your child’s head has been delivered, your doctor would release the suction and remove the cup.

However, it is important to note that vacuum extraction is not failsafe. If it doesn’t work out, you may still need to go in for a Cesarean section.

What Happens After A Vacuum Extraction?

After a vacuum extraction process, your physician will check you and your baby to see if any injury has been caused by the vacuum.

Tears, if any will be repaired, and if there was an episiotomy performed, it too will be repaired. Your baby will be monitored also, for signs of complications as a result of the vacuum extraction.

Tears or episiotomies take time to heal. So, you may experience pain for a few days or weeks after delivery.

Risks Associated with Vacuum Extraction

The process of vacuum extraction exposes you and your baby to varying degrees of risk. These include:

  • Perineal pain due to tears or episiotomies
  • Tears in the lower genital tract
  • Difficulty in urinating which is usually short term
  • Fecal or urinary incontinence (that is involuntary defecation or urination) which can be short term or long term.

Potential risk to your baby includes:

  • Wounds and swellings on the scalp caused as a result of the extractor placed on it. This usually resolves within few days.
  • Fracture of the skull.
  • Bleeding within the skull.
  • Shoulder dystocia (a condition where your baby’s shoulder is stuck in the birth canal after the head has been delivered).
  • Jaundice or yellowish coloration of the skin. Treatment with light therapy is indicated.

Conclusion

Finally, it is important to note that even in an unassisted delivery, you may also be exposed to some of these risks. For now, all you need to do is follow the rules, stay healthy, and provide your growing bundle of joy with all the love and care you can offer.

You are not alone, Mama.

References

Lakshmidevi V. Putta, and Jeanne P. Spencer (2000). Assisted Vaginal Delivery Using the Vacuum Extractor. American Family Physician. Sep 15;62(6):1316-1320. Accessed on 21st December. 2021 from https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0915/p1316.html

Tonismae T, Canela CD, and Gossman W. (2021). Vacuum Extraction. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Accessed on 21st December, 2021 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459234/#_NBK459234_pubdet_

5 Things to Know About COVID Birth

During pregnancy, most women have more pressing concerns than coronavirus. From the cramps to antenatal clinics, and even getting the right birth plan; COVID-19 may be the last subject on your mind.

However, studies have shown that the virus also affects moms-to-be, and in some cases, their unborn babies.

labor contractions

In this article, you’d find all you need to know about childbirth and pregnancy in the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, What Is COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, is an infectious condition caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In most cases, people infected with this virus experience some degree of respiratory illness. Although most individuals with COVID-19 recover without any special treatment, older people and pregnant women are more likely to develop serious symptoms.

Medical experts around the world agree that the best way to prevent and reduce the transmission rate of the virus is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. During pregnancy and childbirth, this information is much more important.

Don’t Stop Reading!

How Does COVID-19 Affect Pregnancy & Childbirth?

Sadly, pregnancy and childbirth increase the risk of having more serious symptoms of COVID-19.

Although the overall risk of getting severe symptoms of COVID-19 is low, pregnancy reduces your immune function, making you more susceptible to serious illness due to Coronavirus in this period.

Furthermore, this risk increases greatly in the first two days after childbirth. In fact, studies show that pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to need intensive care with a ventilator than non-pregnant women.

In addition, the risk of preterm delivery (birth before the 37th week) increases significantly in women with COVID-19.

Also, underlying conditions like hypertension, obesity, and gestational diabetes increase a pregnant woman’s risk of having severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Effect of COVID-19 on Childbirth

Here’s the fact: You’re going to get all the care and support you need.

To minimize human contact in a bid to curb the spread of the virus, many hospitals have switched to telemedicine and other online resources for antenatal clinics and consultations. In addition, new hospital policies restrict partners, friends, and family from sitting in on the delivery day.

Some women are even unable to hold their children in the first month after childbirth due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Sadly, this may increase the risk of postpartum depression and other maternal mental health conditions.   

Although a recent study shows that 6 in 10 women claim that they received inadequate support during pregnancy and childbirth, your story does not have to be this way.

covid-19 childbirth

In fact, all you need is proper information and the right plan.

Thankfully, you’d find all that and more in this article!

5 Things to Do During Pregnancy and Childbirth with COVID-19

As we mentioned earlier, all you need to stay healthy and happy throughout pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic is the right information.

To help you out, we’ve compiled an effective list of 5 things to do in this period:

1. Follow The Rules

This time, the rules are not made to be broken.

As you prepare for the arrival of your precious one in these strange times, it is really important that you follow the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In this period, you need to:

  • Wash your hands as often as you can.
  • Avoid sick people.
  • Wear a mask.
  • Clean and disinfect all frequently-touched surfaces.

These recommendations, including the ones unique to your country, are designed for your (and your baby’s) safety.

2. Go for Home Deliveries

As much as you can, don’t go out.

covid birth

A safer option is to stay indoors and order all you need. In fact, your groceries can be ordered online and delivered to your doorstep after all COVID-19 protocols have been followed.

3. Start A Healthy Diet

As we mentioned here, your diet is an important part of your pregnancy and childbirth journey. In this period, you need to ensure that you’re getting the right mix of carbs, proteins, vitamins, essential fats, and of course, water.

This is really important becomes the right diet would boost your immune system and protect you from contracting the virus.

You can find all the info you need to start your healthy pregnancy diet in this article.

4. Exercise Often

Following the right exercise routine is really important during pregnancy. As you prepare for childbirth, kegel exercise strengthens your pelvic floor and prepares your body for delivery. In addition, regular walks in the park strengthen your lungs and keep your immune system healthy enough to fight the virus.

5. Draw Up Birth Plan

The first step is to calculate your conception and estimated delivery dates. Once you do, you can begin to draw up your birth plan.

covid 19 and pregnancy

This involves planning out your antenatal clinics and packing your delivery bag that includes all COVID-19 protective equipment.

What to Do If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms

The first step is to contact the Centre for Disease Control. Once you get tested, your healthcare providers would supply all you need to stay safe and healthy in this period.

Thankfully, it is possible to have a safe labor and delivery even with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Furthermore, if you think you may have been exposed to the virus, please contact your healthcare provider to get tested.

Conclusion

Finally, it is important to remember that a lot of studies are still going into the effects of Coronavirus and pregnancy or childbirth. At this point, the best thing you can do is to follow all the guidelines in this article and stay as safe as you can.

Stay safe, Mama.

References

Dr. Ijeoma Ejekam Idaresit: Founder, The Edie and Amy Company

While receiving antenatal care as a new mother, Dr. Ijeoma Idaresit realized that neither her professional training nor the way information and tools were passed across was enough to prepare her for the challenges she faced. This prompted her to personally research for the right information and products to support her along her pregnancy journey and after her baby arrived. 

She resolved to provide this same much-needed support for other mothers, and this was how Edie and Amy was born. Edie and Amy is a maternal-focused online media and product organization that provides information on getting pregnant, early signs of pregnancy, what to expect during pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood development for parents and expecting mothers, with a strong focus on the mother’s well-being.

This is her inspiring story.

Dr Ijeoma Idaresit

Dr. Ijeoma Ejekam Idaresit

On Friday, the 6th of January, 1984, Ijeoma Obiageli Kesandu was born to Architect Martin and Chief Mrs. Nnenna Ejekam. Not only was she the first child of the family, but she was also the first grandchild of the famous Professor O.K.Ogan, who was the first Nigerian Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and interestingly, whose birthday was also on the 6th of January.

Early life

She grew up in the city of Lagos in Nigeria – an intelligent, respectful, and sometimes shy child. Ijeoma excelled academically throughout primary and secondary school and was a constant recipient of academic prizes at both levels. Inspired by her grandfather, Ijeoma always wanted to become a doctor. 

Sure enough, she followed her dreams and studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, graduating in 2008. Furthermore, in 2015 she obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health with a specialization in Health Services Management from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Career

1. Lagos University Teaching Hospital – 12-month internship with 3-month rotations in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radio-Oncology, and Paediatrics

2. Omni Medical Center and Advanced Fertility Clinic – Medical officer handling clinical management of inpatients and outpatients. Assisted with obstetric and gynecological procedures, therapeutic and diagnostic assisted reproductive procedures such as hysteroscopy.

3. Mecure Healthcare Limited – Physician providing general preventive health education, routine medical checks, and health risk assessments, and breast and cervical cancer screening. 

4. Postpartum Support Network Africa – She participated in the provision of maternal mental health interventions for individuals and in public healthcare facilities. One year after joining, she became a board member, took up the role of Conference Director, responsible for coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of all activities, and organizing the annual conferences. 

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she coordinated the team’s response to ensure their beneficiaries continued to receive care. She supported at least 46 women in 6 different online groups called the ‘Warrior Mom Villages’.

Dr Ijeoma Ejekam Idaresit Graduation

Edie and Amy Company

She founded The Edie and Amy Company, a maternal-focused online media and product company to provide information on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum and newborn care through a website and its interactive social media platforms. The company also provided access to quality maternity care products and self-care solutions for Nigerian mothers. Dr. Ijeoma made herself available to give free personalized advice and support to numerous women through messages and phone calls – providing medical advice, friendly counsel, encouragement, links to other maternity care services, and sometimes just a listening ear. Currently, Edie and Amy reaches over 12,000 women monthly, helping them overcome hurdles in breastfeeding and postpartum care. 

Dr Ijeoma

Volunteering

Iwe league – Worked as the local program’s liaison, facilitating the provision of mentorship and scholarships, and designing educational programs for primary school students in Lagos state. 

Dr Ijeoma Idaresit Edie and Amy

Marriage

Dr. Ijeoma was married to Abasiama Idaresit, with whom she had two children, Edidiong and Risachi.

The Dr. Ijeoma Ejekam Idaresit Fund

The Dr. Ijeoma Ejekam Idaresit scholarship fund was set up in her honor to provide financial support for West African students studying for a Masters in Public Health in her alma mater, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The fund supports students to undertake research or travel in aid of completing their final research projects. Not only will the scholarship serve as a way of remembering Dr. Ijeoma Ejekam Idaresit, but through this, the impact of her work will be amplified in the various projects carried out by the recipients. This has the potential of meeting health needs in Nigeria and Africa.

Dr Ijeoma Scholarship Grant

In her own words…

11-12-2020 2:44pm

My name is Ijeoma Idaresit 

My name is Ijeoma, the founder of The Edie and Amy Company. My company has supported over 300 mums through hurdles in breastfeeding and life after childbirth with self care kits and health education. 

I’m a director on the board of The Postpartum Support Network which focusses on maternal mental health. I’m directly responsible for monitoring and evaluation of our projects as well as organising our annual maternal mental health conference, a platform which brings stakeholders in the maternal mental healthcare space together. I am a 2019 merit award recipient for my contributions to the organisation. Since 2015, we have educated 16,577 and screened 8,156 mothers in 50 government hospitals across 3 states (Lagos, Ogun and Abuja) trained 612 and provided free treatment for 594 mothers suffering from postpartum depression and other mood disorders. This year during the pandemic, I became the coordinator of PSN’s virtual support group for mums, The Warrior Mum Village.

I’m in charge of the Lagos operations of the Iwe League, 2018 Award recipient from Lagos State Basic Education Board. We seek out , sponsor and mentor brilliant but otherwise indigent students from primary schools in Kosofe LGA (Lagos State) through secondary school.

I love books. I spend my Thursday afternoons reviewing African Literature with the ladies of the ABG. I enjoy the Lagos arts scene, travel, crossword puzzles and food.

I studied Medicine at the University of Nigeria and have an MSc in Health Services Management from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 

I’m married with a 3 year old, a 5month old and a 18 month old Shitzu 😂

I’m @edie.amy.co on Instagram and Dr Ijeoma Idaresit on LinkedIn

Conclusion:

Kind, hardworking, supportive, selfless, caring, a loving mother and wife, and a firm believer that if anything was worth doing, it was worth doing excellently; these are the things that best describe her.

Dr. Ijeoma Ejekam Idaresit was dedicated to supporting mothers by empowering them to become more capable and confident at handling the unique experience of motherhood while ensuring that they have the best physical and mental care possible. 

 The Edie and Amy company is dedicated to continuing the legacy, vision, and passion of Dr. Ijeoma Idaresit and her children Edidiong and Risachi.  

Posterior Placenta: All You Need To Know

During pregnancy, your body has one important function; ensuring that your baby gets all the nutrients needed for proper development. To achieve this, your body grows a temporary organ called the placenta.

To perform its unique functions, the placenta needs to be positioned in the right place at the right time, and for the right period. Most times, the placenta can either be in an anterior position or a posterior position.

In this article, we’d talk about the posterior placenta; what it is, how it functions, and the possible effects on pregnancy and childbirth.

Read on to learn more!

What is Posterior Placenta?

The term, posterior placenta, simply refers to a placenta that is attached to (or located at) the back of the uterus during pregnancy.

Thankfully, a posterior placenta is not a cause for concern during pregnancy. In fact, some mothers prefer this placenta position because it allows them to feel stronger fetal movements and baby kicks compared to those with anterior placentas.

What Does the Placenta Do?

The placenta is a feto-maternal organ that develops during pregnancy and is tasked with one primary function as you expect your little one. The primary function of the placenta is oxygen supply to your little one and waste removal from his/her system during pregnancy.

Posterior placenta

In addition to its transport function, the placenta also secretes various hormones like Progesterone that maintains pregnancy, and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) which serves as the chemical basis for positive pregnancy tests.

Does The Posterior Placenta Affect Pregnancy & Delivery?

In most cases, doctors agree that having a posterior placenta does not affect your pregnancy or delivery in any way. Except in extreme cases like placenta previa, the position of your placenta actually has no effect on pregnancy or delivery.

Other Placenta Locations

Like many other things in pregnancy, the location of the placenta is unique for every woman and in every pregnancy.

In addition to the posterior placenta, other positions/locations of the placenta include:

Anterior Placenta

In this instance, the placenta is positioned at the front of your uterus, between your stomach and your little one. With an anterior placenta, it is often more difficult to monitor fetal movements or feel your baby’s kicks. Thankfully, it is also normal and does not affect your pregnancy or delivery in any way.

Fundal Placenta

In this position, the placenta is attached to the fundus at the top of your uterus. The fundal placenta may be further divided into:

  • Fundal-anterior: when the placenta is located at the top but also extends to the front of the uterus.
  • Fundal-posterior: when the placenta is located at the top but also extends to the back of the uterus.

Here’s the good news:

A fundal placenta can still perform all the required functions of oxygen delivery, waste removal, and hormone secretion throughout pregnancy.

Placenta Previa

This is an abnormal placenta position.

Placenta

When this happens, the placenta is positioned at the cervix, thereby blocking the birth canal where your baby is supposed to pass through during delivery. Depending on how much of the cervix is blocked by the placenta, placenta previa may be subdivided into:

  • Total
  • Partial
  • Marginal

How to Determine Your Placenta Position

As we mentioned earlier, the position of the placenta is unique for every woman and in every pregnancy. Nonetheless, you can determine your placenta location at the 12th week of pregnancy through a routine ultrasound scan.

With your doctor’s assistance, you can find out the location of your placenta during an antenatal clinic.

Conclusion

Finally, it is important to remember that a posterior placenta is nothing to worry about during pregnancy. In fact, a posterior placenta performs every expected placenta function during pregnancy. As a plus, having a posterior placenta may even help you feel closer to your little one because you get to feel most fetal movements and those strong baby kicks. You can read more on Eating Placenta here

Enjoy the journey, Mama.

References
  • Zia, Shumaila. “Placental Location and Pregnancy Outcome.” Journal of the Turkish German Gynecological Association, AVES, 1 Dec. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3935544/
  • Cross JC: Formation of the placenta and extraembryonic membranes, Ann N Y Acad Sci 857:23, 1998.
  • Kazandi M: Conservative and surgical treatment of abnormal placenta­tion: report of five cases and review of the literature, Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 37:310, 2010.
  • How your fetus grows during pregnancy. (2020).
  • acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/pregnancy/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy
  • Perlman N. (2019). Retained placenta after vaginal delivery: Risk factors and management. DOI: 
  • 10.2147/IJWH.S218933
  • Benirschke K, Kaufmann P: Pathology of the Human Placenta, ed 4, New York, 2000, Springer-Verlag.

Retained Placenta: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

During pregnancy, your body does something incredible- It grows a new, but temporary, organ called the placenta. As you expect your little one, the placenta performs various functions that aid your baby’s development during pregnancy.

At the end of pregnancy, in normal situations, the placenta would also be delivered (right after your baby is born). However, in some instances, the placenta does not deliver when it should. When this happens, there’s a lot of bleeding that may become life-threatening if the placenta is retained for more than 30 minutes.

In this article, you’d find reliable info on retained placenta; the types, causes, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options.

Read on to learn more!

What Is A Retained Placenta?

Retained placenta occurs when the placenta remains in the uterus after giving birth, especially during vaginal delivery. The entire placenta, a part of it, or its membranes can remain in the uterus. As we mentioned earlier, a retained placenta may lead to serious blood loss.

retained placenta

What Happens To The Placenta After Childbirth?

In childbirth, the placenta is also delivered through the birth canal after the baby has been delivered. In fact, doctors often refer to this process as the third stage of labor.

Normally, labor occurs in three stages which are:

  1. Contraction stage:This is the stage when your uterus begins to contract. This causes changes in the cervix that prepares it for delivery.
  2. Delivery stage: At this point, your baby is born.
  3. Placenta delivery stage: This stage occurs after the child delivery. After this, placenta delivery occurs.

Usually, the placenta is extruded within 30 minutes after the baby has been delivered. So, if the placenta remains in the uterus for more than 30 minutes after the baby has been delivered is known as a retained placenta.

Types of Retained Placenta

Basically, there are three types of retained placenta:

  1. Placenta adherens. This is the most common type of retained placenta. It occurs when the placenta remains loosely attached to the walls of the uterus, but the uterus does not contract enough to expel it.
  2. Trapped placenta. This occurs when the placenta detaches from the uterus but it doesn’t leave the body. It may result from premature closure of the cervix, which occurs when the cervix begins to close before the placenta is delivered.
  3. Placenta accreta. This is a type of retained placenta that occurs when the placenta attaches to the muscular wall of the uterus instead of the lining of the uterus. This complicates the placenta delivery process, and results in severe bleeding.
retained placenta

What Causes Retained Placenta?

Some of the causes of a retained placenta are:

  • Inadequate uterine contractions after delivery.
  • An umbilical cord tear during delivery.
  • The placenta attaching abnormally to the wall of the uterus (the muscular wall)

Risk factors for retained placenta

The probability of having retained placenta increases in the following instances:

  • Increased maternal age (above 30 years)
  • Prolonged first and second stage of labor
  • A premature delivery or delivery before the 34th week of pregnancy
  • Having a still birth

Normal Placenta Delivery

There are usually two options for placenta delivery following vaginal birth:

  • The first is active management. This involves injecting you with oxytocin to make your womb contract. This helps to expel the placenta. This procedure may facilitate placenta delivery within 30 minutes of childbirth.
  • The second is physiological management. This involves delivering the placenta without any medication or hormones. This can take up to an hour.

Your midwife or doctor may also do any of these to help you deliver the placenta:

  • Help you empty your bladder
  • Ask you to breastfeed your baby
  • Help you massage the top of your uterus
  • Ask you to change position to either sitting or squatting

If you’re having a C-section, the surgeon would take out the placenta as a part of the procedure.

How To Diagnose A Retained Placenta

Thankfully, the placenta has distinct features that make it easy to identify its complete removal after delivery. This way your doctor or surgeon can easily identify any case of incomplete or partial placenta delivery.

Doctors diagnose retained placenta if the placenta is not expelled within:

  • 30 minutes after your baby’s delivery with active management
  • 1 hour after your baby’s delivery with physiological management

Retained Placenta Symptoms

Obviously, the main symptom of a retained placenta is the failure of placenta delivery after childbirth. In other instances, pieces of the placenta may remain stuck in the uterus after childbirth, leading to infection and heavy postpartum bleeding.

If you notice any of these symptoms days or weeks after giving birth, contact your doctor:

  • Fever
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Discharge from the vagina that contains tissue and has a foul smell
  • Persistent pain
retained placenta

Treatment of Retained Placenta

Treating a retained placenta involves removing the entire placenta or any missing part of the placenta. In most cases, this is achieved by:

1. Manual Removal

Your doctor or midwife can remove the placenta by putting one hand into the uterus to gently pull the placenta out while placing the other hand on your stomach to help steady your uterus. It is important to note that this procedure is often done right after childbirth. To ease the pain, your doctor would prescribe anesthetics.

2. Drug Therapy

In this instance, your doctor would administer certain medications that improve uterine contractions. With these drugs, like oxytocin, your uterus would contract well enough to expel the placenta.

3. Breastfeeding

Interesting, right?

Yes, this is another one of the many benefits of breastfeeding.

breastfeeding

After delivery, breastfeeding increases the production of oxytocin, which promotes the uterine contractions necessary to expel the placenta after childbirth.

4. Surgery

After trying all the methods mentioned above, and the placenta is still not extruded, you may need to undergo emergency surgery to remove any remnant placenta tissue.

However, this is only considered as a last resort.

How To Prevent Retained Placenta

Thankfully, retained placenta can be prevented by following routines that facilitate the third stage of labor. These include:

  • Controlled Cord Traction – After delivey of your baby, the umbilical cord is cut and clamped. Your doctor or midwife then applies gentle pressure to help separate the placenta from the wall of the uterus
  • Administration of synthetic Oxytocin – During labor, this medication is given immediately after delivery of your baby to help the uterus contract as you get into the third stage.
  • During pregnancy, there are some things you can do to strengthen the uterine muscles and enable them contract properly when labor starts:

These actions promote proper uterine contractions during labor and facilitate the normal delivery of the placenta.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to attend your antenatal clinics regularly as you expect your little one. This would provide your doctor with all the info needed to identify and manage any placenta complications during pregnancy. Furthermore, it is important to avoid the risk factors and keep an eye out for any of the symptoms mentioned in this article. You can read more on Eating Placenta here

We are always here to help you.

References

Alessandro Favilli, Valentina Tosto, Margherita Ceccobelli, Fabio Parazzini, Massimo Franchi, Vittorio Bini and Sandro Gerli (2021). Risk factors for non-adherent retained placenta after vaginal delivery: a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 21, 268. Accessed on 29th September, 2021 from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03721-9

Nicola C Perlman and Daniela A Carusi (2019). Retained placenta after vaginal delivery: risk factors and management. International Journal of Women’s Health 11: 527–534. Accessed on 29th September, 2021 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6789409/#__ffn_sectitle

Heleen J van Beekhuizen, Andrea B Pembe, Heiner Fauteck & Fred K Lotgering (2009). Treatment of retained placenta with misoprostol: a randomised controlled trial in a low-resource setting (Tanzania). BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 9, 46. Accessed on 29th September, 2021 from https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-9-48

Anterior Placenta: 7 Facts You Should Know About It

Do you know that you and your baby share an organ during pregnancy? This organ, the placenta, is a fetomaternal organ that develops and functions only during pregnancy. In most cases, the placenta is attached to the sides or top of the uterus. However, it can also attach to the front of the placenta, causing an anterior placenta.

In this article, we’ve outlined 10 important facts you need to know about the anterior placenta; including the possible effects on childbirth, and when to call your doctor.

Let’s Get Started!

What is Anterior Placenta?

In plain terms, an anterior placenta refers to a placenta that is attached to (or located at) the front of the uterus. When this happens, the placenta would create extra space between your baby and your stomach, making it more difficult to feel the baby’s kicks.

Anterior Placenta Image and Label

7 Things to Know About Anterior Placenta

Thankfully, the anterior placenta isn’t really something to worry about. In fact, the placenta can attach to any part of the uterus (the bottom, top, or sides).

Nevertheless, we’ve compiled the following important facts about an anterior placenta:

1. It Is Not Strange

Here’s the fact: An anterior placenta is more common than you may imagine. Recent research explains that about 40 to 45% of all pregnant women have an anterior placenta.  Furthermore, women with anterior placentas have no symptoms and it remains largely unnoticed until an ultrasound scan is conducted.

2. An Anterior Placenta Does Not Change

Although the placenta moves as the uterus grows during pregnancy, it will not stop being an anterior placenta. In fact, the placenta only moves upwards in this period. This way, a placenta that is too close to the cervix in the first trimester can move to a safer location in later stages of pregnancy.

Anterior Placenta Foetus Position Placement

3. You May Not Feel the Kicks

In most cases, women with anterior placentas find it more difficult to feel the expected baby kicks, or fetal movements, during pregnancy. This is because of the extra cushion or space the anterior placenta places between your stomach and your little one.

Anterior Placenta Baby Kicks

Thankfully, this would not affect your baby in any way because an anterior placenta still performs the expected function of gaseous exchange and nutrient delivery.

4. An Anterior Placenta Makes It More Difficult to Hear Heart sounds

In the second trimester, your doctors may use a Doppler ultrasound to locate and monitor your baby’s heartbeat.

Just like it is with fetal movements, it is more difficult to hear your baby’s heart sounds when you have an anterior placenta. This is because the placenta is located between the ultrasound scanner and your little one.

In other instances, a fetoscope can be used to detect heart sounds during pregnancy. However, this may also take longer to achieve due to the anterior position of the placenta.

Further Reading: Posterior Placenta

5. It Is More Difficult To Determine Your Baby’s Position

As we mentioned earlier, the extra space between your baby and your stomach due to an anterior placenta would make it more difficult to feel your little one’s movements during pregnancy. When this happens, it also becomes really difficult to conduct belly mapping (a unique strategy that determines your child’s position) during pregnancy.

Anterior Placenta: determining baby position

6. An Anterior Placenta May Lead to Placenta Previa

In some cases, an anterior placenta may grow down towards the cervix rather than upwards and away from the birth canal. This may lead to placenta previa, which is a serious placenta complication during pregnancy.

7. Anterior Placenta Does Not Affect Your Delivery Plan

Thankfully, having an anterior placenta would not change the expected due date or alter your delivery plans. In fact, most babies with anterior placentas are born without complications. Sometimes, a mom may never even know that she has/had an anterior placenta.  

Nevertheless, it is important to note that an anterior placenta may increase the chances of difficult labor or C-section.

Further Reading: Retained Placenta

When Does an Anterior Placenta Become A Problem?

As we mentioned earlier, anterior placentas don’t often cause problems during pregnancy. However, it is important to remain observant and attend regular antenatal clinics to monitor your and your baby’s health in this unique period.

In addition, you should call your doctor immediately if you observe any of the following at any point:

Furthermore, you should report any accident or direct hit to your stomach during pregnancy to your doctor. This way, he/she can conduct an ultrasound scan to monitor the health of your baby and the placenta.  

Conclusion

Finally, it is super important to attend your clinics and allow your doctor to monitor your placenta and your baby during pregnancy. With proper prenatal care, an anterior placenta can be managed properly without complications.

The good news is that an anterior placenta usually causes no problems during pregnancy.

References

Ahn KH, Lee EH, Cho GJ, Hong SC, Oh MJ, Kim HJ. Anterior placenta previa in the mid-trimester of pregnancy as a risk factor for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. PLoS One. 2018 Nov 2;13(11):e0207061. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207061. PMID: 30388184; PMCID: PMC6214571.

Circumvallate Placenta: Risk, Causes, and Treatment

The placenta is a really important organ in pregnancy. As your little one develops, the placenta supplies nutrients and oxygen while removing waste products from your baby’s blood. Sometimes a placental complication called circumvallate placenta can arise during pregnancy.

In this post, you’d learn about the risk factors, causes, and treatment of circumvallate placenta. Also, you’d find reliable info about the effects of circumvallate placenta on pregnancy and childbirth.

What Is Circumvallate Placenta?

Circumvallate placenta is a rare placenta complication that occurs when the covering layer of the placenta on the side of the fetus folds backward around its other edges. In most cases, this abnormal folding happens because the fetal part of the placenta is too small.

Placenta
placenta

What Are the Risk Factors?

Although there’s no telltale sign of circumvallate placenta, certain medical conditions before and during pregnancy may increase the chances of having a circumvallate placenta.

These risk factors include:

  • Maternal Infections (Uterine or Vaginal)
  • Multiple Pregnancies
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Birth defects due to genetic or chromosomal abnormalities

Thankfully, routine medical examinations and history taking during your antenatal clinics would help your doctor identify these risk factors and begin any of the treatment options mentioned later in this article.

Causes of Circumvallate Placenta

Here’s the fact: Circumvallate placenta is caused by a variation in placenta development.

placenta
stethoscope

However, medical experts haven’t identified the actual cause of circumvallate placenta. However, researchers agree that there’s almost no way of preventing this condition from occurring.

Furthermore, it is important to note that this condition is very rare as it only occurs in 1-2% of all pregnancies globally.

Symptoms of Circumvallate Placenta

Interestingly, the circumvallate placenta may not cause any symptoms in pregnancy and only be discovered after the placenta is delivered. In other cases, the condition can raise certain red flags that your doctor can identify during your regular antenatal clinics.

The common symptoms of circumvallate placenta include:

Fetal Growth Restriction

In some cases, fetal growth restriction may occur in women with circumvallate placenta. The placenta is a fetomaternal organ that supplies vital nutrients and gases for the fetus to grow. Therefore, anything that affects placental development can prevent the baby from growing well.

foetus

Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)

This happens when the amniotic sac ruptures before the onset of labor. Although PROM is an important pregnancy condition, which has various causes and risk factors, it can also be a symptom of circumvallate placenta.

Vaginal Bleeding

This is the most common symptom of circumvallate placenta.

Women with a circumvallate placenta often experience persistent vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. In fact, recent medical research shows that circumvallate placenta may cause vaginal bleeding in all three trimesters of pregnancy.

What Are the Effects of Circumvallate Placenta?

Due to its unique features and functions during pregnancy, placenta abnormalities like Placenta Previa can affect both the mother and child during pregnancy or delivery.

The major effects of circumvallate placenta include:

Preterm Delivery

When it happens, circumvallate placenta may cause the amniotic sac to rupture before the due date. This would lead to preterm delivery.

placenta

In this case, your doctor may decide to keep you in the hospital and administer IV fluids that relax the uterus and stop the process of labor. In addition, he/she would provide drugs that spur your little one’s lung development as you prepare for delivery.

Chronic Lung Diseases

As we mentioned earlier, circumvallate placenta can cause premature birth.

When a child is born before the due date, there’s a high chance that his/her lungs aren’t developed enough to handle gaseous exchange outside the womb. Therefore, researchers agree that circumvallate placenta can increase the occurrence of chronic lung disease in infants.

Placenta Abruption

This is an emergency medical condition that occurs when the placenta suddenly detaches from the uterus.

Placenta abruption is considered an emergency condition because it can place the baby at serious risk due to deprived oxygen supply. When this happens, an emergency cesarean section is conducted to save the life of the baby and prevent possible organ damage.

placenta

In addition, placenta abruption can cause serious hemorrhage that also places the mother at risk.

Low Birth Weight

As we mentioned earlier, fetal growth restriction is a common symptom or feature of circumvallate placenta. Therefore, children of women with circumvallate placenta often have a low birth weight.

low burth weight

Oligohydramnios

In plain terms, oligohydramnios means insufficient amniotic fluid.

It occurs when there is less than 300 mL of amniotic fluid present by the time the baby gets to term. Oligohydramnios is a serious condition because your baby depends on amniotic fluid for his/her lung, muscle, and bone development. In addition to this, the amniotic fluid cushions the baby and provides essential nutrients during pregnancy.

Miscarriage & Stillbirth

Sadly, circumvallate placenta can lead to a miscarriage or stillbirth if any of the effects mentioned earlier is left untreated.

How to Diagnose Circumvallate Placenta?

As we mentioned earlier, there’s no telltale sign of circumvallate placenta during pregnancy. In fact, doctors often diagnose this condition when they observe the placenta after childbirth.

However, a combination of proper medical history (to identify the risk factors) and routine ultrasound scans during pregnancy may help a doctor diagnose circumvallate placenta.

Thankfully, a proper diagnosis before birth would help your doctor begin proper treatment to minimize the risk of low birth weight and placenta abruption.

Circumvallate Placenta Treatment

While treating circumvallate placenta, the goal is to reduce the risk of complications.

In all cases, one of the major effects of circumvallate placenta is low birth weight; your doctor would monitor this by recommending routine ultrasound scans. However, if the baby is still not growing as fast as it should, he/she would recommend early delivery.

Although a C-section is often preferred for early deliveries, it is also possible to have a vaginal birth.

In cases of placenta abruption due to circumvallate placenta, your doctor would recommend any or all of the following:

  • Hospital bed rest
  • Early delivery
  • Emergency C-section

Conclusion

Finally, it is important to note that there’s almost nothing you can do to prevent circumvallate placenta. In fact, when it occurs, it is not your fault or due to something you did wrong.

Thankfully, it is very rare and can be managed with proper medical care to minimize the risk of complications.

Everything would work out fine.

References

Placenta: What It Is and How It Forms During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body undergoes various changes to ensure that your little one gets all the nutrients needed for proper development. To achieve this, your body does an amazing thing – it grows a brand new, but temporary, organ called the placenta.

In this article, you’d learn all you need to know about the placenta; what it is, how it’s formed, its functions, and possible complications.

What is Placenta?

The placenta is a temporary organ that develops during pregnancy. This unique organ supplies oxygen and nutrients to your baby during pregnancy. In addition to this, it also removes waste products and carbon dioxide from your little one’s circulatory system.

placenta

The placenta is called a fetomaternal organ because it has two components:

  • The Fetal Part
  • The Maternal Part

In normal conditions, the placenta attaches to the wall of your uterus (often at the side or on the top) and is connected to your baby through the umbilical cord. However, in placenta previa, the placenta blocks the cervix and obstructs the path that the baby should come out from during vaginal delivery.

When Does the Placenta Form?

The placenta begins to develop in the third week of pregnancy. This involves changes in the wall of the uterus where implantation occurred and the chorionic sac (a bag-like structure that contains the embryo). Furthermore, the blood vessels in the uterus undergo various alterations that also contribute to the formation of this important organ.

When does placenta form

In most cases, this special organ is fully developed by the eighth week of pregnancy when it takes over hormone production, nutrient transport, and gaseous exchange. At this point, you would likely get a positive pregnancy test result due to hCG production from the placenta.

Functions of The Placenta

1. Oxygen Transport

During pregnancy, your little one depends on you for his/her oxygen supply. The truth is, this gaseous exchange is one of the primary functions of the placenta. The large surface area of the placenta allows oxygen-poor blood from the fetus to mix with oxygen-rich blood from the mother. This way, your baby has a steady supply of the right amount of oxygen needed to function and grow.

placenta

2. Nutrient Transport

Another important function of the placenta is nutrient delivery from the mother to the baby. Nutrients absorbed into the blood from the mother’s diet, are delivered to the growing baby through the placenta and umbilical cord. That’s how all of a pregnant mum’s meals get to the baby without them having to take a single bite!

Some of the nutrients transported include:

  • Glucose
  • Water
  • Amino Acids
  • Vitamins

3. Hormonal Function

The placenta secretes important pregnancy hormones that support the baby’s development. Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, which is the major hormone produced by the placenta, maintains pregnancy and stops menstruation after implantation has occurred. Furthermore, hCG serves as the basis of pregnancy testing.

Pregnancy test strip

In addition to hCG, the placenta secretes other important hormones like:

  • Human Chorionic Somatomammotrophin (hCS): which functions in breast development and improves breast milk supply after childbirth.
  • Progestrone: This really important placental hormone maintains the pregnancy and prevents spontaneous abortion. In addition, progesterone increases uterine secretions thereby promoting nutrient supply to the developing embryo.

4. Waste Removal

The placenta serves as the only route for your baby’s waste removal during pregnancy. Waste products of metabolism and development are passed into the amniotic fluid and to the placenta before it is eventually removed from the mother’s body via urination or defecation.

How Long Does The Placenta Stay?

Although each pregnancy is unique, the placenta usually begins functioning fully by the eighth week of pregnancy and lasts for the entire duration of pregnancy.

What Happens To The Placenta After Birth?

In vaginal delivery, the placenta is also delivered through the birth canal after the baby has been delivered. Medical experts often refer to this process as the third stage of labor.

After childbirth, you would continue to experience mild contractions until the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus and is expelled. To aid this process, your health care provider may administer a drug called oxytocin or gently massage your lower abdomen until the placenta is removed. You might be asked to give a final push to expel the placenta in some cases.

During a C-section, your doctor would remove the placenta from your uterus as a part of the surgical procedure.

After delivery, your doctor would examine it to make sure that there’s no remnant placenta tissue left in your uterus as this may cause postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding after delivery) or uterine infections if left unchecked.

If you want to, you can ask to see the placenta before it is disposed of.

Possible Placental Complications

Placenta Previa

This is an important medical condition that occurs when the placenta blocks the cervix. When this happens, the placenta blocks the birth canal which is the baby’s route during vaginal delivery. Depending on its exact position in the uterus, placenta previa may be marginal, partial, or complete.

Placenta Previa types

Women with placenta previa often experience light to heavy bleeding, accompanied with abdominal cramps or serious back pain.

Although there is no drug to cure placenta previa, this placental complication can be managed by limiting blood loss until the baby can be safely delivered. A Cesarean section would be conducted to deliver the baby and remove the placenta in cases where the bleeding is heavy and incessant.

Placental Abruption

This happens when the placenta peels away from the uterine wall before delivery. Placental abruption can reduce the amount of oxygen getting to your baby during pregnancy, which can lead to poor growth, brain injury, low birth weight, or premature birth.

When it occurs, placental abruption often requires an emergency cesarean delivery (even if the baby is not up to term). If the baby is still preterm and the separation is minimal, close monitoring, bed rest, and medications to help the baby survive outside the uterus are recommended until it is safe enough to deliver the baby.

Placenta Accreta

This happens when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterus. In this instance, it becomes very difficult to separate the placenta from the uterus during delivery. Therefore, this condition can lead to excessive bleeding from the uterus. Sadly, this condition is life-threatening and may require surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) to stop the bleeding.

Other placental complications include:

Symptoms of Placenta Complications

In most cases, women with any of the placental complications mentioned earlier often experience:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Abdominal pain
  • Back Pain
  • Severe uterine contractions

If you notice any of these symptoms at any stage of your pregnancy, please contact your doctor immediately.

Risk Factors for Placenta Complications During Pregnancy

Sometimes, a normal and healthy pregnancy may eventually lead to a placenta complication.

However, medical researchers have identified the following as the major risk factors for placenta complications during pregnancy:

  • Increased maternal age (above 35)
  • Genetics
  • High blood pressure
  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Previous C-section
  • Substance (Alcohol or Illicit Drug) use
  • Abdominal trauma

Thankfully, attending regular antenatal clinics would provide your doctor with all the info he/she needs to identify these risk factors if they exist and monitor you closely

How to Prevent Placenta Complications

Here’s the good news:

You can reduce the possibility of these complications during pregnancy by:

  • Avoiding alcohol or illicit drugs
  • Checking your blood pressure regularly
  • Following a healthy pregnancy diet
  • Attending regular antenatal clinics
  • Reporting any strange symptoms or feeling to your healthcare provider

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to remember that the placenta is an important and unique organ of pregnancy. It ensures efficient oxygen and nutrient supply to your baby during pregnancy. However, various medical conditions could affect it in the course of pregnancy.

If you notice any of the symptoms of placenta complications mentioned in this article, please contact your doctor immediately. You can read more on Eating Placenta here and positive signs after embryo transfer

We are always here for you.

References
  • How your fetus grows during pregnancy. (2020).
    acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/pregnancy/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy
  • Perlman N. (2019). Retained placenta after vaginal delivery: Risk factors and management. DOI: 
    10.2147/IJWH.S218933
  • Benirschke K, Kaufmann P: Pathology of the Human Placenta, ed 4, New York, 2000, Springer-Verlag.
  • Cross JC: Formation of the placenta and extraembryonic membranes, Ann N Y Acad Sci 857:23, 1998.
  • Kazandi M: Conservative and surgical treatment of abnormal placenta­tion: report of five cases and review of the literature, Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 37:310, 2010.
  • Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, et al: Williams’ Obstetrics, ed 23, New York, 2009, McGraw-Hill.