Disturbance of blood flow during pregnancy: causes, symptoms, treatment

The transfer of nutrition and oxygen from the mother to the fetus is the responsibility of the placenta. Thanks to it two complicated vascular systems are united. One of them connects the placenta with the uterine arteries, and the other - with the umbilical arteries. In this case, the placenta serves as a barrier that protects the baby from viruses and harmful substances. It happens that during the ultrasound examination there is a violation of blood flow during pregnancy, which can affect the development of the baby.

Doppler

Such an unusual name has a diagnostic procedure that reveals any pathology of blood flow in the arteries and veins. As a result, a Dopplergram is constructed on the specialized equipment, which displays the difference in frequencies between the sent and reflected signal. The study is conducted in the standard mode or with color mapping, that is, the movement of blood through the arteries is displayed in color. The latter option allows you to quickly and accurately detect even a mild violation of uteroplacental blood flow.

Dopplerometry is performed lying on the back or side. At the same time, a more truthful result can be obtained on the side, since on the back many pregnant women have a tone that provokes different pathologies. The specialist covers the area under investigation with a gel and starts to drive it with a sensor.

This study is prescribed for all pregnant women together with the first (18-22 weeks) and the second (32-34 weeks) screening. It can be carried out and on intermediate terms in the presence of indications.

Causes of blood flow disorders

To detect a malfunction in the blood flow system, specialists conduct ultrasound with dopplerometry. This allows you to see the defects in the vessels, track the amount of oxygen and nutrients that enter the fetus.

Very often, future mothers are interested in why there is a violation of blood flow during pregnancy. The main reasons for this condition are:

• Age of the woman (too early or, conversely, late).
• A small interval between births.
• Gestosis (late toxicosis in pregnancy).
• Neoplasms in the uterus (eg, myoma), myometrium pathology, endometriosis.
• Diabetes.
• Hypertension.
• Problems with the kidneys.
• Intrauterine infection due to viral diseases of a woman.
• Multiple pregnancy.
• Numerous abortions or miscarriages.
• Anemia (lack of iron).
• Placenta presentation.
• Rhesus-conflict.
• Problems with clotting of blood, leading to the formation of blood clots.

Degrees of blood flow disorders

At the moment, three degrees of pathology are distinguished. The first degree is divided into two subspecies: 1A (violation of uteroplacental blood flow) and 1B (problems with blood circulation between the fetus and the placenta). At the second degree there are problems with both systems ("uterus - placenta" and "placenta - fetus"). The third degree is given to those women who have serious complications with blood circulation.

The first stage of the disease is amenable to adjustment by medicinal products, and as a result a healthy child is born. In other cases, there is a risk of his perinatal death.

Types of placental insufficiency

If a baby is diagnosed with a blood flow disorder, doctors usually diagnose "placental insufficiency". In pregnancy, this pathology is often enough and can be acute or chronic. The acute form can appear suddenly, at any time, as a result, the fetus experiences hypoxia and may die. This is possible with a premature detachment of the placenta, a placenta infarction, the formation of blood clots.

The chronic form is much more often acute. Usually it occurs after 13 weeks, but manifests in the third trimester. As a result, premature aging of the placenta occurs . Depending on the severity of the disease is compensated, decompensated, subcompensated, critical.

At the compensated stage the baby continues to develop normally, as these changes are eliminated by the protective mechanisms of the female body. With decompensated pathology, he ceases to cope with problems, as a result of which the fetus has oxygen starvation, growth retardation and malfunctioning of the heart. The subcompensated stage of the disease leads to a delay in the development of the baby, as well as to its possible death. The most complex form is critical placental insufficiency. She does not meet very often, but her offensive leads to the inevitable death of the child.

The main symptoms of the disease

Depending on the type of blood flow disorder, various symptoms may appear. Compensated placental insufficiency during pregnancy does not manifest itself in any way, therefore, it is known only when ultrasound is performed. In acute and decompensated form, there are changes in the movements of the baby: it moves too much, then very little. In this case, it is important to monitor this indicator (for a day the fruit should move at least 10 times).

As additional signs can be a slow growth of the abdomen, a lack or excess of amniotic fluid. It is impossible to follow it independently, therefore it is necessary to visit the doctor so that he tracks the changes in the measurements. Happens, that disturbance of a blood flow is accompanied by gestosis - a late toxicosis at pregnancy. To the existing symptoms may be added increased pressure, a sharp set of weight, swelling, protein in the urine.

The most dangerous sign of placental insufficiency is the appearance of blood from the birth canal, associated with abruption of the placenta. In this state, only emergency specialists will help.

Treatment of pathology

If a woman shows an increased blood viscosity or a tendency to thrombosis, most often she has a blood flow disorder. In pregnancy, treatment is prescribed only by a doctor, because you will have to take serious medications. Most often prescribed drugs such as "Curantil", "Trental" and "Hofitol." They dilute the blood and improve its movement along the arteries.

Most often, pregnant women are prescribed "Kurantil", which is used in obstetrics for more than 15 years. The drug perfectly copes with its tasks - it normalizes blood circulation due to its liquefaction, does not allow blood clots to form, helps to form new vessels, increases immunity.

Also in demand is Trental, a drug that is similar in effect to Kurantil. However, it has serious advantages: the medicine does not dilate the blood vessels of the heart and continuously releases the active substance within 12 hours.

It happens that a woman has mild blood flow disorders during pregnancy. Treatment in this case is carried out "Hofitol" - a preparation with mineral and vegetable components (for example, the juice of leaves of field artichoke). It has an easy diuretic effect and does not harm the liver.

Methods of treatment at different degrees of pathology

The first degree of the disease involves taking drugs that improve blood circulation. Also doctors will conduct dopplerometry and cardiotocography (palpitation) of the fetus in dynamics. Studies should be carried out 1-2 times in 7 days. With positive dynamics, the woman will continue to bear the baby before his birth. If the indicators worsen, daily studies should be carried out in order to prevent irreversible changes and in time to conduct an emergency cesarean section. With the normal development of the fetus, labor can be carried out naturally.

Infringement of a blood flow of 2 degrees at pregnancy too gives in to treatment. Usually the same drugs are used as in the first case, but the woman will be offered hospitalization. Doctors will observe changes in the body and, if necessary, will carry out an early delivery.

The third degree is not treated in any way, since irreversible consequences begin to appear. In this case, specialists do not risk the life of the child and prescribe an emergency operation.

Prevention

Any woman can do so that the baby develops and grows without complications. To do this, she will have to monitor her diet: there must be a lot of vitamins, microelements, proteins and other important substances. If the pregnant woman does not suffer from swelling, then she is obliged to drink at least 1 liter of liquid daily (preferably water).

It is very important to control your weight - an increase in bearing a baby can be a maximum of 10 kg. Some women need medication prophylaxis, which establishes blood circulation between the mother and the fetus. It will prevent the violation of blood flow during pregnancy. It should be remembered that the child's life will help to maintain the correct method of conducting labor and timely connection of drugs.