Uterine perfusion and fetal growth

An adequate increase of uterine blood flow throughout gestation is essentia l for uterine, placental and fetal growth. Maternal cardiovascular adaptati on has to provide the uterine perfusion that is necessary to meet the requi rements of the developing and growing fetus by providing transport of nutri ents and oxygen to the placenta and the fetus. Thus uterine blood flow is i nextricably linked to fetal growth and survival. Reductions of uterine bloo d flow can occur under acute or chronic conditions or in a combination of b oth. Chronic reductions of uterine blood flow can be observed in pregnancy induced hyertension (PIH), diabetes mellitus in pregnancy and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Chronic restrictions in uterine blood flow will elicit a placental and fetal response in the form of growth adaptation to t he reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients to the conceptus. If compensatory growth restriction reaches its limits intrauterine fetal distress can ensu e.