Doppler velocimetry of the uteroplacental circulation during early pregnancy

Abstract

Throughout pregnancy marked changes in uterine blood flow are observed that are related to a decrease in the resistance to flow in uterine vessels and to an increase in their diameter. Fetal growth is directly related to the incremental increase in uterine blood flow, and any long-term alteration in normal flow patterns could disrupt the oxygen and nutrient supply to the growing conceptus and result in an adverse pregnancy outcome. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.