Pregnancy is a time that demands a lot from a woman. Of course, there are all the physical challenges—which is often already a huge sacrifice—but the level of psychological balance you need to have during your pregnancy is something that many women may not always achieve. It is not uncommon to hear about conditions such as postpartum depression, stress, and even anxiety crises caused by the pressures of this delicate period that is pregnancy. And a woman’s body can be affected in various ways by this, including through placental aging. This is a worrisome situation, so we are going to discuss more deeply how it can arise and what to do if it happens. But before we get into the topic itself, it’s important to understand exactly how a woman’s body works during pregnancy.

What is the Placenta?

The placenta is perhaps the main organ that connects mother and fetus during pregnancy. It is created exclusively for this stage and reaches maturity around the end of the first trimester. The placenta has several functions, the main ones being the exchange of gases and providing nutrition to the baby. In other words, it is safe to say that it is what allows the baby to feed and breathe1. But beyond these very important functions, the placenta also protects the baby in case of impact, since it has a gelatinous structure that can absorb stronger blows and keep the baby unharmed. Another role of the placenta is to produce certain hormones of pregnancy that are extremely useful for preparing the mother’s body for delivery. This very important and special organ can have problems, such as placental abruption, placental insufficiency, placenta accreta, among others. There is treatment for all kinds of problems, but it is important that there is medical monitoring to avoid any serious consequences.

What Causes Placental Aging?

There have long been questions about what causes placental aging, since this is one of the most common ways in which a preterm birth can happen. Today, it is known that the cause is an element called oxidative stress, a type of biological imbalance that makes the placenta age more quickly2. But the question remains: What causes oxidative stress? The first thing you should know is that this imbalance can be caused by factors beyond your control, such as environmental pollution where you live. But on the other hand, there are factors that greatly contribute to this occurring in a woman and that can indeed be controlled by her. They are:

  • Use of tobacco;
  • Use of alcohol;
  • Bodily infections;
  • Obesity;
  • Stress and anxiety attacks;
  • Poor nutritional habits

While there are factors contributing to placental aging that cannot be controlled by the mother, the most decisive factors are habits that should be completely avoided during pregnancy. And although it may seem obvious to many people, it is always necessary to reinforce this type of information.

How Does Placental Aging Affect the Baby?

Placental aging can affect the baby mainly due to reduced supply of nutrients and oxygen, a situation which is common at the end of pregnancy, as the placenta prepares to be expelled3. When this reduction happens before the right time, the baby’s health can end up being more fragile. It is worth remembering that this is also a factor that can lead to preterm birth, which can also affect the baby, since its development may not be completely finished. The risk of extremely serious diseases is small, but certain types of allergies, such as respiratory allergies, may end up accompanying the baby for life.

Placenta Grades

The placenta has four grades that are measured according to its age; that is, the higher the grade, the older it is. These measurements are especially important to identify problems with the placenta during pregnancy. We will discuss each one specifically so that you can understand how this division works. Grade 0 – This grade is usually seen during the first three months of pregnancy, when there are no modifications seen in the placenta. Grade 1 – The placenta develops a harder texture and mild calcification, indicating it is beginning to age. The supply of nutrients and oxygen is not yet significantly affected at this stage. Grade 2 – Occurs when previously mentioned symptoms start to intensify, and the nutrients and oxygen provided by the placenta are no longer abundant. Grade 3 – This typically happens at the end of the pregnancy, when the placenta is very calcified and ready for labor. If this stage is reached before pregnancy ends, many problems can occur for the baby. Placental aging happens, then, when it reaches higher grades earlier than expected, leading to issues like preterm birth and a lack of distribution of nutrients and oxygen for the baby. Placental aging is dangerous but can be avoided in most cases. Keeping healthy habits and having proper medical supervision not only helps prevent various types of diseases, but also ensures you have a healthy pregnancy with fewer problems. Dealing with anxiety and the many emotional issues imposed by pregnancy, which are often beyond just the woman herself, is something that should be learned over time. In this sense, the support of those around you makes all the difference. Therefore, to prevent problems such as placental aging, it is necessary to have good habits, but also an understanding of your psychological state and the help of your partner and family to go through this phase together with you. See Also: Placenta Previa or Low-Lying Placenta – Pregnancy Surprises Photo: Inferis