Can a calcified placenta be prevented? | Calcified placenta

Can a calcified placenta be prevented?

Calcification of the placenta can only be prevented to a limited extent. Calcifications are quite natural with increasing duration of pregnancy and are part of the maturing and aging process of the placenta. Such an aging process cannot be prevented.

Smoking is discussed as one of the factors that can lead to premature calcification of the placenta. Of course, one should not smoke during pregnancy, as this can cause considerable damage to the unborn child. The placenta plays a central role in this, as smoking leads to reduced blood circulation and thus to a malfunction of the placenta.

What can be the long-term consequences of a calcified placenta?

A calcified placenta is not a cause for concern at first. Calcifications are a natural maturing process, which usually has no consequences for mother and child. Only premature and very excessive calcifications of the placenta can cause reduced blood circulation.

This reduced blood flow in the placenta can result in an undersupply of nutrients to the child. Such an undersupply manifests itself in a delay in the growth and development of the fetus. However, if the placenta is very severely calcified, the gynecologist will observe the pregnancy even more closely than before, so that serious consequences are usually very rare.