Is Your Placenta Healthy? Why It Impacts Your Baby and Medical Next Steps

The placenta is one of the most important organs in pregnancy. It forms during early pregnancy and acts as your baby's lifeline. A healthy placenta supports growth, delivers oxygen and nutrients, removes waste, and produces hormones that help maintain pregnancy.

If the placenta is not working properly, it can affect your baby's health and, in some cases, your own. The good news is that most placenta-related problems are detected early through routine prenatal care. Understanding how the placenta works — and what can go wrong — helps you recognize when medical attention is needed.

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What Does the Placenta Do?

The placenta attaches to the wall of your uterus and connects to your baby through the umbilical cord. It performs several critical functions:

• Supplies oxygen and nutrients from your blood to your baby
• Removes waste products from your baby's blood
• Produces hormones such as progesterone and estrogen to support pregnancy
• Protects against some infections
• Acts as a filter, though not a perfect one

Without a healthy placenta, your baby cannot grow and develop properly.

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What Does a Healthy Placenta Look Like?

In most pregnancies, the placenta:

• Attaches to the upper or side wall of the uterus
• Has strong blood flow
• Grows steadily throughout pregnancy
• Supports normal fetal growth

Your provider evaluates placenta health during routine ultrasounds. They check its location, structure, and blood flow. They also monitor your baby's growth — one of the best indicators that the placenta is working well.

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Common Placenta Problems

While most pregnancies progress normally, some placenta complications can occur. These vary in severity.

1. Placenta Previa

This happens when the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix. It can cause painless vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester.

Possible risks:

• Bleeding during pregnancy
• Need for cesarean delivery
• Preterm birth

2. Placental Abruption

Placental abruption occurs when the placenta partially or completely separates from the uterus before delivery. This can reduce oxygen and nutrients to the baby and cause bleeding in the mother.

Symptoms may include:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Abdominal or back pain
• Uterine tenderness
• Frequent contractions

If you're experiencing any of these concerning symptoms, you can use Ubie's free AI-powered Placental Abruption symptom checker to quickly assess your situation and understand whether you need immediate medical attention.

3. Placenta Accreta Spectrum

This occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall. It can cause severe bleeding during delivery.

Risk factors include:

• Previous cesarean sections
• Previous uterine surgery
• Placenta previa

4. Placental Insufficiency

Also called uteroplacental insufficiency, this condition happens when the placenta does not deliver enough oxygen and nutrients. It can lead to:

• Slow fetal growth (intrauterine growth restriction)
• Low birth weight
• Preterm birth

This condition is often detected through growth ultrasounds and Doppler blood flow studies.

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Signs Your Placenta May Not Be Healthy

Some placenta problems cause noticeable symptoms, while others are silent and found during routine exams.

Possible warning signs include:

• Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
• Severe abdominal pain
• Decreased fetal movement
• Persistent contractions
• Sudden swelling, headaches, or vision changes (which may relate to preeclampsia affecting placenta function)

However, many placenta issues cause no obvious symptoms. That's why regular prenatal visits are essential.

If you experience:

• Heavy bleeding
• Severe pain
• Sudden decrease in baby's movement
• Signs of preterm labor

You should seek immediate medical care. These can be life-threatening situations and require urgent evaluation.

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How Doctors Check Placenta Health

Your healthcare provider uses several tools to monitor the placenta:

1. Ultrasound

Ultrasound checks:

• Placenta location
• Placenta thickness
• Signs of separation
• Baby's growth

2. Doppler Blood Flow Studies

These measure how well blood flows between you and your baby.

3. Non-Stress Tests (NST)

These monitor your baby's heart rate and movement patterns.

4. Maternal Health Monitoring

Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and preeclampsia can affect the placenta. Managing these conditions protects placenta function.

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Who Is at Higher Risk for Placenta Problems?

Certain factors increase the risk of placenta complications:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking or substance use
• Diabetes
• Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets)
• Advanced maternal age
• Prior cesarean section
• Previous placenta complications
• Trauma to the abdomen

If you have any of these risk factors, your provider may monitor you more closely.

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Why Placenta Health Directly Impacts Your Baby

The placenta is your baby's only source of oxygen and nutrition before birth. When placenta function is reduced:

• Oxygen levels may drop
• Growth may slow
• Stress on the baby can increase
• Risk of preterm birth rises

In severe cases, untreated placenta problems can lead to stillbirth. This is rare but serious — which is why early detection and medical care matter.

The goal of monitoring is simple:
Identify problems early and deliver the baby at the safest time.

Sometimes that means close observation. Other times it means early delivery.

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Medical Next Steps if There Is a Problem

If your provider suspects a placenta issue, next steps may include:

• More frequent ultrasounds
• Bed rest or activity restriction (in some cases)
• Medications (such as steroids to mature baby's lungs if early delivery is likely)
• Hospital monitoring
• Early induction or cesarean delivery

Treatment depends on:

• The type of placenta problem
• Severity
• Gestational age
• Baby's condition
• Your health

There is no single approach. Care is individualized.

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Can You Prevent Placenta Problems?

Not all placenta complications are preventable. However, you can reduce risk by:

• Attending all prenatal appointments
• Managing blood pressure and blood sugar
• Avoiding smoking and substance use
• Reporting bleeding or pain immediately
• Monitoring baby's movements in the third trimester

Healthy lifestyle habits support overall pregnancy health, including placenta function.

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When to Speak to a Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:

• Vaginal bleeding at any point in pregnancy
• Sudden abdominal pain
• Strong, frequent contractions
• Noticeably decreased baby movement
• Signs of preeclampsia (severe headache, vision changes, swelling)

These symptoms can signal serious placenta complications. Do not wait to see if they resolve on their own.

If something feels wrong, it's always appropriate to seek medical care. It is better to be evaluated and reassured than to delay care in a potentially life-threatening situation.

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The Bottom Line

A healthy placenta is essential for a healthy pregnancy. It delivers oxygen, nutrients, and hormonal support that your baby depends on every day.

Most placenta problems are identified through routine prenatal care, and many can be safely managed with close monitoring and timely delivery. While some complications can be serious, early detection dramatically improves outcomes.

Stay informed. Attend your appointments. Pay attention to your body. And most importantly, speak to a doctor immediately about any symptoms that could be serious or life threatening.

If you're worried about symptoms like bleeding, abdominal pain, or unusual contractions, Ubie's free AI-powered Placental Abruption symptom checker can help you evaluate your symptoms in minutes and determine how urgently you should seek medical care.

Your placenta plays a vital role in your baby's life before birth. Protecting it starts with awareness and timely medical care.