Complicated Pregnancy Flashcards
what is a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)?
pregnancy terminating before 20 weeks
what is abortus?
fetus lost before 20 weeks, less than 500g or 25cm
how are spontaneous abortions defined?
whether any or all products of conception have passed and whether or not cervix is dilated
what is a threatened abortion?
bleeding with or w/out cramping with a closed cervix
what is an inevitable abortion?
bleeding with or without cramping with dilation of cervix
what is a complete abortion?
all products have been expelled
what is a missed abortion?
embryo/fetus dies but products of conception (POC) are retained
what is an incomplete abortion?
some portion of POCs remain in the uterus
what is a habitual abortion?
3 or more abortions in succession
sx’s of abortion?
bleeding, cramping, abd pain, decreased pregnancy sx’s
PE for abortion?
vitals to r/o shock, febrile illness, pelvic exam
labs for abortion?
quantitative B-hcg, CBC, blood type and screen
what does US for abortion assess?
assess fetal viability and placentation
tx for abortion?
stabilize if hypotensive
monitor bleeding and for signs of infection
send tissue to pathology to assess for POC
+/- D&C or prostaglandins (e.g. misoprostol)
RhoGAM for Rh-negative pts
when do 2nd trimester abortions occur?
12-20 weeks gestation
causes of 2nd trimester abortions?
infection, maternal uterine or cervical anatomic defects
maternal systemic disease, exposure to fetotoxic agents, trauma, PTL and incompetent cervix
D&C vs D&E (dilation and evacuation) as tx for 2nd trimester abortions?
16-24 weeks: either D&E or induction of labor
what is incompetent cervix? when does it occur?
cervical insufficiency, painless dilation and effacement of cervix (in 2nd trimester)
what is exposed in incompetent cervix? risk of?
fetal membranes exposed to vaginal flora and risk of increased trauma (infection, vaginal discharge, ROM)
what can incompetent cervix cause?
2nd trimester losses
what are the risk factors for incompetent cervix?
cervical surgery or trauma, uterine anomalies, hx of DES exposure
dx of incompetent cervix?
noted on routine exam, US, or in setting of bleeding, vaginal discharge, or ROM
tx of incompetent cervix? (HINT: cerclage, previable, viable)
cerclage: suture placed vaginally around the cervix at cervical-vaginal junction or at the internal os (want to get close to cervix)
previable: expectant management and elective termination
viable: betamethasone, strict bed rest, tocolysis if preterm contractions
what does betamethasone help the fetus with?
helps fetal lung maturity