We’ve recently had a new addition to the Butler household, and following the c-section delivery, an observation was made by the wife’s OB that parts of the placenta and umbilical cord were “old.” I have no clue what that means. One would assume that the parts were pretty much the same age as the pregnancy (or younger, as formed during the pregnancy).
Though it didn’t make any difference in the delivery (C-section btw, the wife’s pelvic floor was too small, and my daughter had decided to drape the cord around herself a few times), I’m curious about the term.
Thanks,
-Butler
(details of the new arrival - Olivia Jean, 6# 11z, 20.25" 4/4/05 5:07PM, and cute as a button)
Congrats on the new arrival!!
Regarding your OP: I think the placenta and cord can become less efficient at doing their jobs as the pregnancy progresses. Not usually a problem, but with a baby that, for example, goes post-term, it can cause issues. Google “placental senescence” or “placenta senescence” for some hits, though none of them were terribly “civilian-friendly”. Basically, those things are pretty much not designed to last longer than 9 months, and in some cases perhaps they start to wear out a little early. If they wear out before the pregnancy does, could cause problems.
How un-civilian-friendly are they? I’m fairly good at deciphering medical-ese, or more so than the average man walking about (or so I like to think).
I’ll check these when I get home, and have a few extra minutes to pour over them. Thanks for the “where to search”… old placenta didn’t come up with much.
-Butler