Her second pregnancy, however, was nearly picture perfect until after delivery.
That was exactly how Townsel’s first pregnancy unfolded. That can be an indicator of a future complication, such as developing a high blood pressure problem in pregnancy like preeclampsia, hypertension or diabetes,” Townsel says. “Often a patient will start to show evidence of placental insufficiency. Ironically, preeclampsia also can cause placental insufficiency. It can be attributed to autoimmune disorders, genetic factors, diet and blood vessel-related issues. Detecting preeclampsia is one of the reasons doctors check blood pressure and measure protein in urine during prenatal care. Its symptoms include excess weight gain in a short period, swelling of the legs, hands and fingers and headaches. Preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that leads to high blood pressure and possible kidney damage, is another placental disorder that Townsel personally experienced. “I had a medical degree and I still wasn't fully aware of the risks that could happen, and that they could occur even if you're young and healthy,” says Townsel, who delivered a healthy son at 37 weeks. Moms need to make sure all possible blood flow is going to the fetus, not to tired or fatigued muscles. Moms with this condition require frequent visits to a high risk OB-GYN, as well as activity restrictions. MORE FROM MICHIGAN: Sign up for our weekly newsletter Other potential correlations include having diabetes, high blood pressure, anemia and blood clotting disorders or using blood thinners, drinking alcohol, taking drugs or smoking during pregnancy. The only thing that slightly increased my risk is I'm a Black woman.” “The diagnosis surprised me,” Townsel says. To detect placental insufficiency, doctors may order:Īn ultrasound to look at features of the placenta, calcium deposits or placental thickness, as well as the size of the fetusĪ fetal nonstress test that monitors the baby’s heart rate and contractions The insufficiency occurs because the placenta doesn’t attach optimally to the uterus, which impedes the dilation of the arteries and restricts the flow of the important nutrients and oxygen. With this condition, the placenta can’t deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to the baby, which may lead to fetal growth restriction and possible issues with the baby’s development. In some cases, the only symptom is the death of the baby. Some other moms-to-be may notice the baby isn’t moving often. Everything appeared to be progressing on schedule until, at 34 weeks, she noticed her baby wasn’t growing well and the fluid around her baby was low. As a first year OB-GYN resident, she was hyper vigilant during her first pregnancy at age 27. Placental insufficiency is the diagnosis that catalyzed Townsel’s interest in researching high risk pregnancies. Here are five placental disorders she urges every woman to be aware of before pregnancy. Because a placenta is created with each pregnancy, it is possible for each pregnancy to have a different outcome.Įven as a trained OB-GYN in good health – she runs and plays basketball regularly – Townsel’s high risk pregnancies caught her off guard. It provides the nutrients and oxygen to the baby for development and growth. The placenta is a temporary organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. Both of her pregnancies involved two separate placental disorders. Townsel, an obstetric-gynecologist at Michigan Medicine, twice has been in her patients’ shoes. For Courtney Townsel, M.D., M.Sc., working with patients experiencing high risk pregnancy conditions involving the placenta is a lived experience.
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