The placenta acts as a transport for the infant’s nutritional and oxygen needs. Sometimes a baby can get by okay if the placenta is not functioning well during pregnancy.
However, during labor, a dysfunctional placenta can cause problems that may decrease a mother’s options. While we can’t prevent every problem that may arise, there are some things a woman can do to help increase her chances of helping to increase blood flow to baby and having a healthy placenta.
For more information on how to have a healthy pregnancy, watch some of our exercise videos we’ve compiled.
“It influences not just the health of a woman and her fetus during pregnancy, but also the lifelong health of both mother and child”-David H. Weinberg PhD
Steps to Increase Blood Flow to Baby
- Make the choice to stop smoking. Some research has shown that smoking may impair the exchange of oxygen in the placenta. This could lead to more difficulties with the placenta and baby.
- Do your best to control any medical conditions related to oxygenation. These may include things such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, or infections.
- Make sure that a routine is in place to help reduce anxiety and stress.
- Natural movement exercises will help to increase blood flow to the placenta, specifically exercises to release the psoas and walking. These help to increase the uterine blood flow, which helps keep the placenta functioning well.
- Spend some time deep breathing to help with relaxation. Stress and anxiety decrease the blood flow to the uterus and uteroplacental blood flow.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration can affect the oxygenation through the placenta.
- Stay off your back in later pregnancy. The larger uterus may press on the vena cava that returns blood from the lower half of the body. This in turn may create change in blood pressure that can affect oxygenation to the uterus and the placenta.
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References:
Human Placenta Project, NIH
Maternal cigarette smoking: the effects on umbilical and uterine blood flow velocity.
Alterations of Placental Vascular Function in Asthmatic Pregnancies
Asthma and Pregnancy: A Review
Physiology of the Placent-Gas Exchange
Maternal and fetal effects of the supine and pelvic tilt positions in late pregnancy
6 Responses
subhana kerung
Low placenta
Amanda
The Vena Cava returns deoxygenated blood. It does not supply blood. Arteries supply, veins return.
Rachel Leavitt
You’re right, I worded this wrong. It has to do with alterations of blood pressure and the effects that has on oxygenation to the placenta. In reality, the mechanisms by which the supine position affects oxygenation to the growing fetus is not well understood, but we do know it happens. What I stated above is the current theory of why these changes occur. I’ll correct the wording to reflect the association with blood pressure and oxygenation though. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Leslie
Very helpful information . Thank you all for sharing and caring ❤️
Simran
Hi I just get to know, my Baby is behind say around 2-3 weeks. I am at week 23 but they are measuring baby for 17+4 to 20+ 3 .
Baby weight shud be 500 GM’s by now but it’s only 363.
Can you plz suggest is there a way to improve placenta blood flow and help the baby to grow properly.
Thanks,
Samantha Kitchel
Hi Simran, this blog is a suggested way to help blood flow get to baby, however if you are worried about the health of your baby you should speak to your health care provider right away.