Q&A: “Placenta fully aged”- what does this mean? Why do I have so many Dr. appointments? Someone please help!
Question by Anonymous Person: “Placenta fully aged”- what does this mean? Why do I have so many Dr. appointments? Someone please help!
1. I have a bicornuate uterus
2. I have low amniotic fluids
3. My placenta is “fully aged” [?]
So I had an ultrasound appointment today [I normally have them every 2 weeks].. Well my Specialist took one look at the ultrasound and shook his said saying, “No, no.. Her placenta is fully aged. Put her on monitoring” and walked out.. So the ultrasound technician said now I’m on monitoring.. Which means I have to drive out of town twice a week to get an ultrasound at some special place.. I think it’s like a half an hour away.. Not that bad.. But should I be freak out?? I mean, I have my specialist/ultrasound visits every other week, my regular OB visits every other week, and now these out of town ultrasound visits twice a week??? It seems a little excessive to me, is something wrong?? What does it mean my “placenta is fully aged”??? My baby is only 4 lbs right now.. I’m so scared he will be born too early and have poor lungs, deformed body parts and grow to be short… HELP
I’m 33 weeks pregnant, currently.
Best answer:
Answer by Bella Donna
If your doc. didnt explain all of this to you i think its time to find a new one.
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You are probably being referred to a perinatologist’s office for a level II ultrasound, one that shows your reproductive organs and fetal anatomy in more detail. You are being followed more frequently because of your bicornuate uterus and low amniotic fluid. If a placenta ages too much, it can shortchange your baby on nutrients and the baby might have to be delivered early. Your OB is concerned whether you will carry the baby to full term. Being followed twice a week is being cautious.
Most deformations resulting from a bicornuate uterus are treatable. I assume you will deliver at a hospital with a good premie unit. The vast majority of 4 pound babies do well. I hope your OB has more time to talk with you. Insist on it.
Fully aged placenta means that it is a grade 3 which is the last stage of growth of the placenta..This usually only occurs during the last few weeks of the pregnancy….The placenta can “age” faster in some patients for genetic reasons,,,smoking and drug abuse can also cause this…
4lbs at 33 weeks is ok…the baby still has several weeks of growth left.
The out of town visits are a level 2 ultrasound which looks for specific genetic defects.
Don’t freak out …you should do fine ..just keep your appointments.