calcification of the placenta?

[Robinna]

does anybody know anything about this?

I'm really really curious. We know that older placentas CAN start to calcify - do they ALL calcify? At what point does this start? Yeah I know, they're all individual...

We also know that this makes OB's tell us that it's not doing it's job as well. Do they KNOW this, or just THINK this? Is there any evidence that a calcified placenta is *actually* a problem?

Did anybody deliver (probably post-dates) without induction, and have a calcified placenta? What did it look like? Did your baby show any signs of having been stressed in any way?

Inquiring minds want to know...

xo Robin

[edamommy]

my labor was induced ending in an emergency csection at 33 weeks. One of the reasons was that my placenta was calcified by about 60% and had become a "hostile environment" for the baby: That he couldn't get the nutrition he needed anymore.

[stacey2061]

i delievered 12 days postdate but it was induced, and the placenta was in rough shape according to the dr. i didn't want to look at it (traumatic birth) but DS showed no signs of distress or any other problems besides dishpan hands.

[Robinna]

Originally Posted by edamommy

my labor was induced ending in an emergency csection at 33 weeks. One of the reasons was that my placenta was calcified by about 60% and had become a "hostile environment" for the baby: That he couldn't get the nutrition he needed anymore.

Hon I'm sorry to hear that!

How did you feel about your pg before you were told that? Did you feel everything was normal and get blindsided by this - eg was he moving normally, etc? How was his health after he was born - other than being a premie, do you believe in your gut that it was *necessary*?

please tell me to bugger off if I'm prying.

xo Robin

[pamamidwife]

Calcifications of the placenta can occur. However, it usually does not restrict the placenta's function so much that it is dangerous to the baby. If there is true intrauterine growth restriction that is one thing, and perhaps there will be calcifications on the placenta but I would venture to say there is more than just that contributing to it.

The placenta is an ever-changing organ. Towards the end it communicates with the body to increase blood pressure to accomodate the growing needs of the baby. The assumption that "old placentas" put babies at risk is not valid. A poor functioning placenta can occur at anytime during the pregnancy - not necessarily at the end.

One thing that fully demonstrates how incredible the placenta is working with our bodies and our babies has to do with women that smoke. Their placentas are larger than non-smokers (they're thinner, too) because the placenta branches out looking for fresher sources of oxygen for the baby (since smoking reduces the amount of oxygen available to baby).

[Yo Becca]

Just my anecdotes - DD was born at 42 weeks. I didn't see the placenta (hsop. birth) but was told it was healthy and fine. DS was just born at 42 wk 2 days - I was shown the placenta and it was perfectly fine. I did get concerned once I went over 42 weeks with him, but I had no reason to fear other than that's what the CNMs "worry" about and justify for induction despite healthy NSTs and AFIs. With DD, I had a lot of fights to avoid induction due to dates, despite healthy NST/AFI (ended up avoiding induction b/c I went into labor). With DS, I pretended to not know my LMP and avoided the issue with my shadow care MWs, my HB MW wasn't concerned.

[Full Heart]

I have delievred 7 times post dates and all my placentas were calcified and none of my babies had any problems. All my placentas are also HUGE I think cause of the calcification of being post dates it branches out like Pam said. Though I don't smoke. Calcification is a concern when it happens early on and is severe. There will almost always be some amount of calcification. There was a thread not too long ago on this and I posted some informative links.

[birthjunkie]

This is often the main reason cited for early evacuation of twins between 36-38 weeks. Not that there is calcification or subsequent issues, but that "there could be in the future". Yeah, and I could choke on my coffee and drop dead tomorrow morning too :

[indie]

My 2nd was born at 41.5 weeks and there was a little calcification on the edges. It looked like the edge was white. DD had no problems.

[hunnybumm]

Originally Posted by stacey2061

i delievered 12 days postdate but it was induced, and the placenta was in rough shape according to the dr. i didn't want to look at it (traumatic birth) but DS showed no signs of distress or any other problems besides dishpan hands.

I wonder if your doctor just said that? I wonder how accurate that was? Maybe he was trying to prove that being induced was the 'right thing' to do? I don't want to drudge anything up for you, I am sure this has all crossed your mind. No need to respond I just wanted to say what I was thinking.