When a woman is pregnant with a baby, the fetus lives in the mother's womb. The nutrients and oxygen needed by the fetus are obtained through the umbilical cord and placenta. As the duration of pregnancy for women gradually prolongs, the placenta will also gradually mature. So, how many weeks does a woman's placenta mature during pregnancy?
At 30-32 weeks of pregnancy in women, it is the early stage of placental maturation, during which the placenta can still transport nutrients to the fetus. Usually, after 36 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta is approaching complete maturity. Under normal circumstances, the placenta reaches maturity level 3 at around 39 weeks of pregnancy. At this point, the placenta has already aged, leading to calcification and cellulose deposition, which in turn reduces its ability to transport oxygen and nutrients.
Pregnant women should be aware that the more mature the placenta, the better. If the placenta matures too early, it indicates that the placenta is aging rapidly, which can cause fetal oxygen deficiency. This not only affects fetal development, such as growth retardation, but may also lead to baby asphyxia and even death due to insufficient oxygen.
If a woman's placenta reaches level 3 maturity before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it can cause problems with the baby's oxygen and nutrient supply. If the fetal development is good and the weight reaches 2500 grams after examination, doctors generally recommend that the mother undergo a cesarean section as soon as possible to avoid any danger to the fetus.
