Understanding Placental Maturity and Fetal Growth Restriction

Question
With my daughters first baby, she was born 3lbs. 8 ounces. but considered full term. The umbilical cord was soft or mushy. I asked my daughter what they said about it and she said her placenta was matured to 40 weeks when the growth restriction began. Which caused her to not receive oxygen or nutrients while she still needed them.  The second baby, she was delivered 3 months early, emergency c-section and was 2 weeks under developed on top of that. She needed CPR at delivery and survived 22 days. Born under 1 lb., 11 inches long. With her she had a hypercoiled umbilical cord. She had blood test done after the death of her daughter and they came out ok. What I would like to know is what questions she could ask the doctors to get some results in finding ways that could help her to prevent or correct the problems. Also, we would like any information that would explain exactly what causes these problems or anything to understand more about them. Thank you in Advance.

Answer
Dear Tina,

Placenta vascular formation is obviously crucial for fetal growth and development. Proper development of the placenta ensures the exchange of oxygen/nutrients and blood flow necessary for fetal growth. When there is an abnormality along the way which alters the delivery of the oxygen/nutrients, the fetus will inevitably be compromised.

I do not have an abundance of information available to me regarding a hypermature placenta. Most case-specific information about this condition is reserved for docs in their journals. (Go figure!) I can tell you though that I cannot find any preventative care regarding this condition. As far as questions to ask her doctor - I would simply inquire as to the odds of it occurring again and the risk factors involved in its development in the first place.

As to the hypercoiled cord -- unfortunately, pregnancy loss in the 2nd trimester is a common occurrence with a hypercoiled cord. This typically happens when there is an unusually long umbilical cord and it simply gets much too coiled or twisted up, as the name suggests, and the fetus is unable to receive adequate oxygen/nutrients. Again, this is an anomaly that just happens. There really is nothing that your daughter could have been done to prevent it or could do to prevent it from occurring again.

I am very sorry to hear of your daughter's difficulties. I very much hope that her burdens are lessened in the future. I hope that this information helps in some way and I wish you well.

Brenda