1. Address Underlying Causes
When placental insufficiency can be linked to certain risk factors, such as substance abuse or untreated health conditions, these causes need to be addressed to prevent further deterioration. If you smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs, you will need to stop using these substances immediately. They negatively impact your baby's growth and development and put your baby at risk of suffering from intrauterine growth restriction.
An untreated health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, can also cause placental insufficiency. Treating these conditions can help improve your placental health and ensure that your baby continues to grow and thrive.
2. Improve Dietary Intake
A diet that is lacking in nutrients can sometimes be to blame for a baby's poor growth. Your body needs adequate amounts of many nutrients in order to provide your baby with all the nutrients she needs to grow. Problems with dietary intake are suspected when the mother gains a small amount of weight. Lack of weight gain after the 34th week of pregnancy is of particular cause for concern.
Poor diet can sometimes be a result of poverty, lack of education or pre-existing health conditions. Your healthcare provider might suggest that you work with a dietician to improve your eating habits. A dietician can help pinpoint areas of your diet that need improvement and can help you in make these changes.
3. Aspirin Therapy
Low doses of aspirin are typically used in cases of placental insufficiency to prevent blood clots from forming in the placenta. Aspirin is also used to dilate the blood vessels and improve blood flow to the placenta. Studies have demonstrated that aspirin therapy during the last trimester is associated with an increase in birth weight, head circumference and placental weight.
4. Consider Early Delivery
Before a baby's lungs are fully developed, he is generally better off inside the womb. At this stage in the pregnancy, your doctor will want to monitor the situation and attempt other forms of intervention. However, if a diagnosis of placental insufficiency is made later on in the pregnancy and your baby's lungs are fully developed, an early delivery may be suggested. This is especially true when the baby does not seem to be growing sufficiently or appears to be in distress.
