In the last few weeks of your pregnancy, you may find yourself having conversations with healthcare providers about your placenta and its ability to function after 40 weeks of pregnancy.
To be absolutely clear, there is no expiry date on your placenta! It doesn’t just stop working when you hit 40 weeks!
The idea that your placenta will fail is a false one. There is no evidence to suggest that it would or that it would result in you needing to be induced at 42 weeks or before.
It is possible that the placenta may not function properly, but even that is rare and would usually only happen if it hasn’t formed properly or has become damaged in some way.
If the placenta does stop working it is not because you are in the final stages of pregnancy!
Reasons the placenta might stop working:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Taking drugs
- Medical conditions, e.g., pre-eclampsia or diabetes.
What are the signs that it isn’t working effectively?
- Baby’s growth slowing down.
- Baby not moving as much.
Both growth and movement will be checked during your antenatal appointments with your midwife. If there are any concerns, they will do blood tests and scan your placenta and baby to check that everything is working as it should be.
For more tips on pregnancy and birth come and join us for the next Hypnobirthing class on Sunday 17th September. For more information pop over to my website JustExhale or my Facebook page: Just Exhale | Facebook
