Ova-Achieving

This week, I am starting to gain momentum on my Original Work, which is both exhilarating and nervewracking as I am both overwhelmed by the sheer amount of medical terminology and concepts that I have not yet studied but also excited by the prospect of reaching my end goal. As part of my original work plan, I researched the impact of placental position on perinatal outcome and the retention of placenta after vaginal delivery. This allowed me to gain a concrete understanding of how the placenta functions so I could have a good foundation for my later work in placenta accreta. The research assessments provided excellent insight into the various positions the placenta can be in and how that structurally impacts conditions such as postpartum hemorrhaging and intrauterine growth restriction. To my surprise, these articles referenced placenta accreta and even discussed alternative treatments for placenta accreta which was supportive of the conclusion I want to find. Although these studies did support alternative treatments, they also conceded the fact that in some forms of placenta accreta, the placenta is so deeply rooted in the uterine wall that it is impossible to use another method than Cesarean section and hysterectomy. In all of the research I have conducted, I've found that some support alternative treatments for placenta accreta, while others state that there are no alternative treatments, which has taught me to explore deeper into the foundations of placenta accreta (understanding the attachment of trophoblasts and the causes of placenta accreta) to assess the validity of these statements. Additionally, I have scheduled interviews with excellent interviewees, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, M.D. and James Carleo, who I am incredibly elated to meet. Both Dr. Shepherd and Dr. Carleo differ in their educational and industry experience, so it will be wonderful to understand their journeys in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.