Abortion Flashcards
What is abortion
pregnancy loss prior to 20 weeks
MC complication in early pregnancy
MCC of abortion is
Chromosomal abnormalities
When do most abortions occur
in the first trimester (80%)
What are the types of abortion
Threatened: vag bleed, closed cervix
Inevitable: vag bleed, open cervix
Incomplete: partially pass products of conception
Complete: fully pass conceptus
Missed: fetus dies but is retained (hasn’t passed fetus yet)
Septic: recent spontaneous abortion complicated by infx
Risk factors for abortion include
advanced maternal age prior spontaneous abortion multigravity alcohol illicit drug use smoking
Abortion common presents with these symptoms
pelvic pain
vaginal bleeding
or as incidental findings on US
Threatened abortion is the only “type” where
baby is still alive
With abortion, you may have these physical findings
blood in vagina, open or closed cervix
absent fetal heart tones
absent or failed growth of fetal pole, gestational or yolk sac
How do you manage an abortion
Take a pregnancy test 2 weeks later
not sooner, because it will still show positive even if no fetus is present
You can surgically perform an abortion with
Dilation and curettage- BUT, do not jump to this if it is a threatened abortion. Only if you are sure fetus is not viable
D&C in treating abortion can lead to
Asherman’s syndrome, making pregnancy in the future nearly impossible
You can medically induce abortion with
Misoprostol 800mcg per vagina
repeat US in 24 hrs
take a pregnancy test 2 weeks later
Symptoms of a septic abortion include
fever, chills, malaise, abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, malodorous vaginal discharge
How do you Tx septic abortion
Hospitalization and IV Abx
Cefoxitin + Doxycycline
How you medically induce an elective abortion
Day 1: Mifepristone 200mg (terminate)
1-2 days later: Misoprostol 800mcg buccally (expel)
