The placenta being a foetal organ, undergoes the same stress and strain to which the foetus is exposed. Common yet life threatening complications of Pregnancy like Gestational Diabetes, Hypertension, Anaemia and Intra uterine growth retardation result in both macroscopic as well as microscopic changes in the placenta. Hence study of the placenta will give a valuable insight in cases of adverse foetal outcome. The present study was conducted on a total of two hundred and ninety two freshly delivered placentae with umbilical cord obtained from the labour rooms and operation theatres of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and received at the Department Of Anatomy, PMCH, Patna, Bihar. Exclusion criteria was multiple pregnancy. Inclusion criteria's were normal uncomplicated primigravida and multigravida and pathological factors complicating pregnancy like Anaemia, Gestational Diabetes mellitus, Pregnancy induced Hypertension and prematurity. The 292 placentae were divided into four categories according to the risk factors and clinical diagnosis of pregnant women namely normal patients (147), patients with Pregnancy induced hypertension (15), Gestational Diabetes mellitus (30), anaemia (65) and preterm (35). The circular type of placenta is the common shape of placenta. The diameter of the placenta is increased in anaemia, gestational diabetes and decreased in prematurity. The weight of the placenta is increased in gestational diabetes mellitus, anaemia and decreased in prematurity. The number of maternal cotyledons is decreased in prematurity and increased in gestational diabetes mellitus. The eccentric type of cord attachment is the most common type in complicated pregnancies. The diagnosis of such risk factors in pregnancies during antenatal period and early intervention will improve the perinatal outcome.
