Depression alone has been associated within increased risk for preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension, premature birth, and low birth weight. Women with substance use disorders tend to live in areas that are unable to provide quality prenatal care or proper management of their psychiatric conditions. As a result of improper management of psychiatric illnesses, substances are abused during pregnancy, potentially causing harm to both the mother and the fetus. Some pregnancy complications that can occur as a result of substance use in pregnancy are fetal alcohol syndrome and neonatal abstinence disorder.Women with these risk factors are recommended additional surveillance during pregnancy to monitor fetal development and to be able to detect fetal, placental, or umbilical cord abnormalities as early as possible. Pathophysiology/Mechanism
The placenta is a transient organ developed during pregnancy that facilitates nutrient, gas, and waste exchange between a mother and a developing fetus. Placental abnormalities, such as circumvallate placenta, can harm a developing fetus, as normal exchange of materials between a mother and a developing fetus is impaired. With placental abnormalities, a developing fetus is unable to receive the vital materials that it needs for proper development, resulting in the possibility of pregnancy complications, birth defects, and/or death of the fetus. In a normal placenta, there is a smooth transition from the parenchymal villous chorion to the membranous chorion at the border of the placental plate.
Likewise, IV fluids and blood transfusions can also be given to patients with a placental abruption in attempts to increase blood pressure and minimize the effects of severe blood loss.If oligohydramnios occurs as a result of a circumvallate placenta, a treatment called amnioinfusion may be considered to replenish the amount of lost amniotic fluid within the amniotic sac. Amnioinfusion may help in preventing underdevelopment of the lungs.If diagnosed with a circumvallate placenta, consistent fetal monitoring by a licensed physician can help to prevent and/or reduce the effects of associated complications that may occur. Additionally, healthy lifestyle choices, a well-balanced and nutritious diet, adequate rest, and cessation of alcohol and tobacco products can also help to prevent the incidence of a circumvallate placenta and its associated complications. If diagnosed with a circumvallate placenta, in association with other threatening pregnancies complications, emergency cesarean section will most likely be suggested by a physician. Prognosis
Unfortunately, there is currently not a cure available for circumvallate placenta. While some evidence suggests that a circumvallate placenta can increase the risk of complication during pregnancy, other research suggests this increased risk is marginal. Sadly, circumvallate placenta can occasionally result in infant death depending on the severity of the complications encountered. In other cases, circumvallate placenta can result in premature birth of infants who are otherwise healthy after being monitored in the neonatal intensive care unit for a period of time after birth. Therefore, proper medical care and monitoring are crucial in attempting to minimize the likelihood of complications.