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Placenta cyst in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 12.07.2025
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As experts note, a placental cyst during pregnancy is a reaction of the organ to inflammation (at the initial stages of placenta formation, such formations are considered normal).
The placenta has many functions, but its main purpose is to provide oxygen to the fetus. In addition, the placenta supplies all the nutrients the future child needs, produces hormones, and protects the fetus from the penetration of most unsafe substances and bacteria. A number of studies have shown that the placenta helps develop immunity in the newborn.
The placenta plays an important role during pregnancy, so doctors pay attention not only to the health of the expectant mother and her child, but also check the condition of the placenta.
If a placental cyst is diagnosed later, it indicates some inflammation in the recent past. The cyst is limited from the rest of the placenta and is not supplied with blood, the larger it is, the more the blood flow is disrupted. With a single cyst of a small size, harm to the child is practically excluded, but when multiple cysts are detected, placental blood circulation is disrupted, in this case, measures are taken to prevent placental insufficiency.
[ Causes of placental cysts during pregnancy
A placental cyst during pregnancy develops due to an inflammatory process. Up to the twentieth week of pregnancy, inflammation is a consequence of the body's adaptation; during this period, the placenta is intensively formed, which leads to minor inflammation in the uterus. The appearance of a cyst during placental growth serves as some protection against inflammation and its consequences.
The appearance of a cyst after the twentieth week indicates a pathology, since there should be no inflammatory processes at this time.
A cyst can also appear as a result of an infection, injury, cicatricial changes in the walls of the uterus after abortions, cesarean section, etc.
Symptoms of placental cyst during pregnancy
A placental cyst during pregnancy usually does not manifest itself and develops without causing any symptoms. The cyst is detected during an ultrasound examination.
In case of a single cyst of small size, special treatment is not required. In this case, the doctor observes the development of the pathological formation. A single cyst takes up little space on the placenta and, despite the fact that this area is cut off from the blood supply, this does not play a significant role for the child. If the cysts are multiple, they occupy a fairly large area (or one cyst is very large), the placental blood supply is disrupted, in this case the woman may notice that the child's movements have become less active, sluggish (however, decreased activity of the child does not always indicate the appearance of a cyst).
Diagnosis of placental cysts during pregnancy
A placental cyst during pregnancy is detected by ultrasound examination.
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Treatment of placental cysts during pregnancy
A single placental cyst during pregnancy usually does not require treatment. If a single small cyst is detected, the doctor will most likely monitor it. If the cyst does not grow and no new formations appear, it is left alone until delivery (after the birth of the child, the placenta comes out and the cyst no longer bothers the woman).
In case of multiple cysts, prophylaxis of placental insufficiency is usually prescribed. With a cyst, the blood supply is disrupted, but a small single cyst does not lead to serious complications, while multiple formations can lead to the fact that the child does not receive nutrients and oxygen in the required amount.
To prevent placental insufficiency, drugs are used to improve metabolism, blood flow and tissue regeneration:
Instenon is a combination drug that improves metabolism, cardiac activity and cerebral circulation in the fetus. The drug is used in complex treatment to eliminate the negative effects of oxygen deficiency on the nervous system of the unborn child.
Instenon is usually prescribed 1-2 tablets 2-3 times a day, the course of treatment is determined individually by the attending physician.
Euphyllin promotes placental-uterine blood circulation and vasodilation well. The drug is used in the form of tablets or injections. In each specific case, the dosage is selected individually, as a rule, 0.5 - 1 tablet 3 times a day is prescribed. The dose for intravenous administration of the drug is selected by the doctor, taking into account the rate of elimination in each individual case.
In gynecological practice, Actovegin is widely used, which improves blood circulation between the mother and the fetus, promotes fetal growth. The drug is made from calf blood and has minimal side effects, in extremely rare cases, allergic reactions occur. Actovegin is used in the form of a solution for intravenous or intramuscular administration and tablets. At the first stages of treatment, an injection solution is used, the dosage is determined individually, depending on the woman's condition. Usually, 10-20 ml is prescribed twice a day, after 5-10 days, at the discretion of the attending physician, a transition to a tablet form of treatment is possible.
Traditional treatment can be supplemented with effective folk remedies that will help eliminate oxygen starvation and nutrient deficiencies in the fetus. Tinctures or decoctions of plantain leaves, birch, black currant, rowan berries, linden flowers, hawthorn, and birch sap are well suited for these purposes.
Prevention of placental cysts during pregnancy
A placental cyst during pregnancy is a consequence of inflammatory processes in it. The appearance of small cysts up to 20 weeks, when the placenta is being formed, is considered normal; in this case, no preventive measures should be taken. At later stages, the appearance of a cyst is considered a pathology and requires careful monitoring.
Inflammatory processes of the uterus can cause the appearance of a cyst during pregnancy. To prevent this, it is necessary to promptly treat diseases of the genital organs and maintain personal hygiene.
Prognosis of placental cysts during pregnancy
A placental cyst during pregnancy, if it is one and small, in most cases has a favorable prognosis. Such a cyst does not lead to a significant disruption of blood supply and does not deprive the child in the womb of the substances and oxygen necessary for development.
Numerous formations on the placenta or a large cyst can almost completely block the blood supply. In this case, the prognosis depends on timely and effective treatment. The drugs usually used to improve metabolism and blood supply show good results and allow the woman to reach the end of the term and give birth to a healthy child.
A placental cyst during pregnancy is the result of pathological processes, however, such formations do not always pose a danger to the child and mother. Small cysts do not threaten the health of the future baby and do not require treatment. As a rule, when detecting one small cyst, doctors prefer to monitor its development using ultrasound.
If the cyst does not grow, it is left alone until delivery. If the cyst is rapidly growing or new formations appear, the doctor may decide to carry out prevention of placental insufficiency in order to increase blood supply and the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.