Bleeding during pregnancy Flashcards
What bleeding during pregnancy is benign?
Implantation bleeding
Spotting after intercourse or a pap smear
Bloody “show” during labor
Treatable infection (such as Chlamydia or vaginitis)
What is more serious or concerning bleeding in pregnancy? (8)
Spontaneous abortion (aka miscarriage)
Ectopic pregnancy
Incompetent cervix
Gestational trophoblastic disease (Molar pregnancy)
Placenta previa
Placenta abruptio (Abruption)
Preterm labor*
Uterine rupture*
Which trimester is bleeding more common? There is a higher chance of loss if _____ and a lower change of loss if ____
1st trimester and about half will result in pregnancy loss
Higher chance of loss if:
Bleeding is accompanied by pain (cramping or back pain)
Lower chance of loss (less than 10%):
Once normal FHT are documented by doppler or ultrasound
What is a spontaneous abortion (SAB)?
Expulsion of fetus prior to 20 weeks gestation or weight less than 500 grams
What are the causes of SAB? (8)
Chromosomal abnormalities (common – usually incompatible with life body will try to remove it)
uterine or cervical problems
Inherited thrombophilia
Endocrine disorders
Teratogenic drugs
Uncontrolled chronic diseases (HTN, DM, hypothyroidism)
Infections
Trauma
What is the patho of a SAB?
Embryonic death → loss of hCG → decreased progesterone & estrogen → uterine decidua sloughed off → uterus irritated and contracts → expels embryo or fetus
What is a threatened abortion?
Bleeding for unexplained reasons prior to 20 weeks, cervix is closed
What is an imminent abortion?
Going to happen just a matter of time
Bleeding, cramping, os open, membranes may rupture
What is an incomplete abortion?
Explosion of some products of conception but some are retained
What is a complete abortion?
All products of conception are expelled
What is a missed abortion?
Fetus dies but not expelled, diagnosis made by ultrasound
What is recurrent pregnancy loss?
loss of 3 or more pregnancies
What is the cause of septic abortion-presence in infection?
Usually from prolonged rupture of membranes
May be associated with IUD, illegal abortion
How do you diagnose a SAB?
Physical exam – looking at cervix (open or anything coming out)
Ultrasound – Gestational sac with embryo, size of embryo, FHT
HCG (quantitative) expected to rise at least 50% every 48-72 hours until 10 weeks when it levels out.
CBC (to check for anemia following significant blood loss)
If patent has a SAB what lab should be drawn? What med may need to be given?
Blood type and Rh
RhoGAM for Rh neg women
What is the treatment for a 1st trimester loss?
No interventions to prevent
What are the 3 treatment options for an inevitable loss?
Expectant: Watch and wait to see if tissues pass on own (safe to wait 3-4 weeks if in 1st trimester)
Medical: Mifepristone, Misoprostol (helps cervix dilate and soften and cause contractions of uterus)
Surgical: dilatation and curettage (D&C); dilatation and evacuation (D&E)
If patient is having heavy bleeding, cramping or s/s of infection which intervention is recommended with a inevitable SAB?
Surgical
What SE does medical management have compared to surgical management?
Can have more bleeding, longer time to pass all products of conception, and lower success rate than surgical treatment
What is D&C or D&E?
Mechanically dilating cervix and using an instrument or suction to remove anything from uterus
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
Implantation of fertilized egg in a site other than the endometrial lining of the uterus (most common in the fallopian tube)
What is the patho of an ectopic pregnancy?
Eggs is fertilized
Prevented or slowed progress down the tube; fails to implant in uterus
Trophoblasts grow into and through wall of tube causing internal hemorrhage – not viable fetus
What are the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy? (7)
previous ectopic
PID (pelvic inflammatory disease –> scaring)
Pelvic surgery
Endometriosis (endometrial tissue is outside of uterus)
Smoking (slows movement of cilia which helps transport of egg)
AMA (less effective cilia)
IUD (slows movement so don’t meet when either are still fertile)
What is the most common place for an ectopic pregnancy? Why?
ampullar tubal because that’s where sperm meets egg
What are the s/s of ectopic pregnancy? (8)
Initially, normal pregnancy signs such as missed menses, positive pregnancy test, breast tenderness, nausea
Bleeding/spotting
Lower quadrant abdominal or rectal pain
Fainting, dizziness
Right shoulder pain
Sub-diaphragmatic irritation from blood in abdomen
Hypovolemic shock
Slow to rise HCG, US with no IUP or mass in tube, low hemoglobin & hematocrit
What is the triad of symptoms for ectopic pregnancy?
Missed menses or positive pregnancy test
Vaginal bleeding, spotting, brownish discharge
Lower quadrant pain
What is the 2 treatment options for ectopic pregnancy?
Medical management with Methotrexate– IM folic acid antagonist
Surgical Management done with abd incision and can be emergent situation if fallopian tube rupture
How does methotrexate treat an ectopic pregnancy?
prevent/inhibits growth of trophoblastic cells to stop embryo growth and reabsorbed by maternal body