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The placenta can be classified into four degrees, between 0 and 3, which will depend on its maturity and calcification, which is a normal process that occurs throughout pregnancy. However, in some cases, she may age too early, which requires frequent evaluation by the obstetrician, in order to avoid complications.
The placenta is a structure formed during pregnancy, which establishes communication between the mother and the fetus, guaranteeing the ideal conditions for its development. Its main functions are to provide nutrients, oxygen and immunological protection for the baby, stimulate the production of hormones, protect the baby against impacts, and eliminate waste produced by the baby.
Placental maturation can be classified as follows:
- Grade 0, which usually lasts until the 18th week, and is characterized by a homogeneous placenta without calcification;
- Grade 1, which occurs between the 18th and the 29th week, and is characterized by a placenta with the presence of small intraplacental calcifications;
- Grade 2, present between the 30th and 38th week, and is characterized by a placenta with the presence of calcifications in the basal plaque;
- Grade 3, which is present at the end of pregnancy, around the 39th week and which is a sign of maturation of the lungs. The grade 3 placenta already shows basal plaque to chorionic calcification.
In some cases, an early maturation of the placenta can be detected. It is not yet clear what may be at its origin, but it is known that it is more frequent in very young women, women who are having their first pregnancy and pregnant women who smoke during childbirth.
Can the degree of the placenta interfere with pregnancy or childbirth?
The maturation of the placenta during pregnancy is a normal process and not a cause for concern. However, if grade 3 placental maturation occurs before 36 weeks of gestation, this may be associated with some maternofetal condition.
When an early placental maturation is detected, the pregnant woman should be monitored more frequently and also during labor, to avoid complications, such as premature birth, placental detachment, heavy bleeding in the postpartum period or low birth weight.
See how the placenta develops and find out what are the most common changes and what to do.
How the degree of the placenta is detected
The obstetrician can identify the degree of maturity of the placenta by observing the calcifications present during an ultrasound examination.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- PERROTTI et.al .. Evolution of Placenta's Ecographic Characteristics, Position and Fetal Presentation in Normal Pregnancies. RBGO. Vol.21. 9.ed; 1999
- FOUEDJIO, Jeanne Hortence et. al .. Associations between the Grade of Placental Maturity at Third Trimester Ultrasound and Maternofetal Outcomes at the Maternity of the Yaoundé Central Hospital: A Prospective Cohort Study. Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Vol.9. 3.ed; 230-233, 2015