What Obstetricians Need to Know About Placental Pathology

The placenta can serve as a valuable source of information about maternal and fetal conditions during the pregnancy; however, the abilities to perform a preliminary gross examination and interpret a placental pathology report are variable among obstetricians. This article discusses the indications for placental submission to pathology; the essentials of gross examination, including elements that should be performed in the delivery suite; and the...