05/05/2022
The placenta. What is it and what does it do?β β β β β β β β β ββββββββ
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πΆThe placenta is an organ that develops with the baby to nourish, oxygenate, and keep the baby aliveβ ββββββββ
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π©ΈThe structure of the placenta and the umbilical cord provide oxygen and nutrients to your baby as well as removes waste products from your baby's bloodββββββββ
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π§±The placenta attaches to the wall of your uterus, either top, side, front, or back, in rare cases in attaches in the lower part of the uterus and this is called placenta previa.ββββββββ
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What can affect placenta health?β β ββββββββ
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πΈοΈMaternal age, specifically after 40β β ββββββββ
πΈοΈHigh blood pressureββββββββ
πΈοΈTwin or other multiple pregnancyβ β β β β β ββββββββ
πΈοΈBlood clotting disordersβ β ββββββββ
πΈοΈPrevious uterine surgeryβ β ββββββββ
πΈοΈPrevious placental problemsββββββββ
πΈοΈSubstance use, like smoking or narcoticsβ β β β ββββββββ
πΈοΈAbdominal traumaββββββββ
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What are most common placental problems?ββββββββ
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πΈοΈPlacental abruption, peeling away of placenta from uterine wallββββββββ
πΈοΈPlacenta previa, placenta partially or totally covers cervixββββββββ
πΈοΈPlacenta accreta, part of or all placenta remains firmly attached to uterusββββββββ
πΈοΈRetained placenta, if placenta isn't delivered within 30 mins of birth it is considered retainedββββββββ
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Signs/Symptoms of placenta problems:ββββββββ
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πΈοΈVaginal bleedingββββββββ
πΈοΈAbdominal painββββββββ
πΈοΈBack painβ β ββββββββ
πΈοΈUterine contractionsββββββββ
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What to do to reduce risk of placental problems?ββββββββ
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βKeep regular check ups with provider during pregnancyβ β β β β β β β β ββββββββ
βWork with provider to manage any health conditions, like high blood pressureβ β β β β β β β β ββββββββ
βDon't smoke or use drugsβ β β β β β β β β ββββββββ
βTalk with provider about potential risks before deciding for an elective Cesareanββββββββ
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