Above and beyond for infertility

Specially delivered high altitude placentas. That is the work of Dr. Andrew Murray. He is leading a highly unusual research team examining the effects of low oxygen environments on pregnancy.

Dr. Murray gets his placenta samples from a small town in Colorado, over 10,000 feet above sea level where the air is thin. He compares the tissue to that of women who give birth at sea level.

“There is already quite well established research in pregnancy which shows babies from high altitude mothers are more susceptible t conditions such as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. However, some of these mothers do successfully adapt and we want to learn not only what effect low oxygen has, but also how a normal altitude placenta might adapt to low oxygen as well,” explained Dr. Murray.

Their goal is to explain some of the most heartbreaking occurrences in pregnancy: miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. All problems associated with the placenta. An unborn baby relies totally on the health of the placenta for all his or her nutrients, oxygen, blood supply, everything. And if it’s not working, the baby is at risk.

Oxygen deprivation is present in some of the most life threatening illnesses: heart failure, anemia, lung failure and cystic fibrosis. It’s not a stretch to think it may have something to do with various kinds of fetal distress.

Source: Action Medical Research, MedicalNewsToday