1. Small Uterus Size
It can be difficult to identify placental insufficiency, as there are generally no symptoms. However, there are some signs that can indicate a potential problem. A small uterus is one example. At your prenatal checkup, your doctor will typically measure the fundal height. The fundus is the top of the uterus, and the measurement is taken from the pubic bone to the fundus. The measurement, given in centimeters, should correspond with the week of pregnancy. So if you are 28 weeks pregnant, your fundal height should be about 28 centimeters. A measurement that is significantly smaller than it should be may indicate that the baby is not growing properly. Your doctor will then run further tests, such as an ultrasound, to check that the baby is growing well.
2. Decreased Fetal Movement
In the womb, baby's movements are not predictable and can vary from day to day. It is not unusual to notice that the baby seems a little quieter sometimes or for some babies to be less active than others. However, a significant decrease in your baby's movements can be cause for concern. Expectant mothers are often very attuned to their babies' normal level of activity. If you are worried that your baby is not moving around enough, contact your doctor or midwife. She might recommend that you begin by drinking some juice or another sugary beverage to stimulate your baby. If this doesn't work, your doctor will probably want to do some testing to rule out placental insufficiency and to make sure your baby is well.
3. Identifying Risk Factors
Prenatal care is an important part of catching problems early. Your doctor will take a medical history to help identify risk factors and treat them, if possible. A small portion of all pregnancies are complicated by intrauterine growth restriction, a condition that can be caused by placental insufficiency. If you have any risk factors, your doctor will pay closer attention to your baby's growth and may be able to identify placental insufficiency earlier.
Smoking, alcohol use and drug abuse are all potential causes of placental insufficiency. Health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, sickle cell anemia and HIV infection, are other risk factors. Being pregnant with multiples, having a previous low-birth-weight baby, placental previa and placental abruption can also raise your risk. Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and syphilis, a group of infections collectively known as TORCH infections, can all interfere with your baby's growth and development. Your doctor might also be concerned if you have gained very little weight or don't have adequate nutrition.
