Answer:
Insufficient Blood supply from the placenta
Explanation:
The placenta is an organ that grows in the womb during pregnancy. Placental insufficiency (also called placental dysfunction or uteroplacental vascular insufficiency) is an uncommon but serious complication of pregnancy. It occurs when the placenta does not develop properly, or is damaged. This blood flow disorder is marked by a reduction in the mother’s blood supply. The complication can also occur when the mother’s blood supply doesn’t adequately increase by mid-pregnancy.
When the placenta malfunctions, it’s unable to supply adequate oxygen and nutrients to the baby from the mother’s bloodstream. Without this vital support, the baby cannot grow and thrive. This can lead to low birth weight, premature birth, and birth defects. It also carries increased risks of complications for the mother. Diagnosing this problem early is crucial to the health of both mother and baby.
Vital functions of the placenta
The placenta is a highly complex biological organ. It forms and grows where the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus.
The umbilical cord grows from the placenta to the baby’s navel. It allows blood to flow from mother to baby, and back again. The mother’s blood and the baby’s blood are filtered through the placenta, but they never actually mix.
The placenta’s primary jobs are to:
move oxygen into the baby’s bloodstream
carry carbon dioxide away
pass nutrients to the baby
transfer waste for disposal by the mother’s body
The placenta has an important role in hormone production as well.
Causes of insufficiency
Placental insufficiency is linked to blood flow problems. While maternal blood and vascular disorders can trigger it, medications and lifestyle habits are also possible triggers.
