Placental Formation Process Is Crucial for Foetal and Mother's Health

Placental formation is a very gradual process. It starts after successful implantation of the embryo.

It does not end by the end of the first trimester.

Placental formation continues in the second and through most of the third trimester. The placenta continues to grow in parallel with foetal growth to keep up with increasing foetal demand for oxygen and nutrients.

Abnormal placentation or abnormal placental formation could be caused by excessive immune inflammatory responses (inflammatory cytokines and chemokines).

Unhealthy placenta (e.g. placental hypoplasia, placental dysplasia, or abnormal placental attachment) can cause miscarriages in the first or second trimesters. It can also cause stillbirth and foetal loss. Moreover, it may cause maternal obstetric complications such as preeclampsia, foetal growth restriction, and premature birth.

The initial roots of the placenta (the Primary Villi) grow and form Secondary Villi and then Tertiary Villi. It keeps enlarging and progressively branching to form a system of villous trees which is essentially the placenta.

At SRI, we offer monitoring and testing tailored to individual patients to check on placental formation. This does not necessarily stop by the end of the first trimester.