Small Placenta at 33 Weeks: What You Need to Know

Question
After my regular visit to my Dr. and receiving an ultra-sound my Dr. told me my baby was normal weight and good heart beat. She expressed a concern about the size of my placenta. She has scheduled me for ultra-sound every week, which did not occur during the pregnancy and birth of my first two children. The Dr. says I can continue my excercise routine but she wants to keep an eye on the placenta size. She also sugessted that I may want to consider inducting labor 1 week before my due date. Can you tell me if I should have concerns? Should I continue my exercise? Should consideration be given to promote the birth earlier then one week?

Answer
Dear Rachel,

It sounds like the doctor is acting as would be perfectly appropriate. They are going to want to keep a closer eye on the growth, development, movement, heart rate, etc,... of the baby. If they determine that the smaller than normal size of the placenta is affecting the baby's well being - meaning the baby is not getting quite enough nutritional/oxygen supply, then they will want to intervene - possibly by inducing labor earlier than your actual due date. However, at this point, I would agree that there is no real reason to alter a moderate exercise routine. Some women just have slightly smaller placentas and the baby fares as well as any other for the duration. They just need to stay aware as a precaution.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda