Overview of fetal parameters associated with intrauterine environment
| Method | Parameters | Description | Over the course of pregnancy | Interpretation |
| Doppler, BPP | Uteroplacental blood flow and umbilical blood flow | Blood circulation between uterus, placenta and the fetus125 | Begins to increase from 12 GA until term.126 The umbilical artery oxygen saturation, oxygen partial pressure and pH decrease and partial pressure of carbon dioxide increase127 128 | Associated with a well-functioning maternal-fetal circulation and placental perfusion126 129 |
| â | Fetoplacental growth and blood flow | The directions of blood flow from mother to the placenta and the blood flow from the placenta to the fetus based on mean blood velocity and the cross-sectional area of the vessel.125 The normal range is: 18.581.4âmL/100âg fetal weight127 | Increases over pregnancy127 | Associated with a well-functioning maternal-fetal circulation and placental perfusion129 |
| â | Placental weight | Weight of the placenta | Increases over pregnancy | Increased placenta weights are associated with hydrops fetalis, villous oedema, fetal anaemia, whereas decreased placenta weights are associated with maternal uteroplacental vascular insufficiency, hypertension or congenital anomalies.130 |
BPP, biophysical profile; GA, gestational age.