Bleeding in pregnancy Flashcards
What is the definition of spontaneous miscarriage?
Expulsion or removal of the products of conception prior to 24 weeks of gestation
What is the most common cause of bleeding in early pregnancy?
Spontaneous miscarriage
What is threatened miscarriage?
When bleeding and occasionally abdominal pain occurs but the pregnancy continues
What is incomplete miscarriage?
A miscarriage has occurred but some of the tissue remains in the uterus and the cervix is open POC (products of conception) may be present in cervix
How does incomplete miscarriage present?
Lower abdominal bleeding
Heavy vaginal bleeding with clots/tissues
Shock
Tenderness
What is the difference between incomplete miscarriage and inevitable miscarriage?
Fetal heartbeat is present in inevitable miscarriage, not incomplete miscarriage
How can you tell if a miscarriage is complete?
Bleeding has ceased
Cervix closed
Fetal heartbeat negative
What is septic miscarriage?
Infection following a miscarriage
What is the most common cause of miscarriage in early pregnancy?
Chromosomal abnormalities
What is the name given to this uterine abnormality?
Bicornuate nucleus or “heart-shaped uterus”
What is a bicornuate uterus and how does it occur?
A uterus composed of two “horns” separated by a septum
Occurs during embryogenesis, when the fusing of the paramesonephric ducts is altered, preventing fusion of the upper part of the uterus
What other embryological development abnormality is commonly associated with uterine development abnormalities?
Renal
What is the treatment for threatened miscarriage?
Reassurance and rest
Avoid intercourse
Remove IUCD if present
Aspirin, heparin or prednisolone for APLS after 1st trimester
What is the treatment for inevitable miscarriage?
Allow uterus to evacuate itself or use oxytocin
Pain relief
What is the treatment for incomplete miscarriage?
Blood transfusions for shock
Oxytocin
Removal of POC if still present
Evacuation of uterus
Bimanual compression
When are miscarriages defined as recurrent?
3 or more consecutive occasions
What is the probability of having a live baby when recurrent miscarriages have occured?
40-50%