Early Pregnancy Flashcards
Define MISCARRIAGE. What are the subtypes of miscarriage?
Miscarriage is the loss of a foetus < 20 weeks gestational age.
Miscarriage affects between 1 in 4 to 1 in 6 pregnancies.
There are FIVE types of miscarriage:
- complete miscarriage –> PV bleeding + loss of all products of conception
- incomplete miscarriage –> PV bleeding + some retained products of conception
- threatened miscarriage –> PV bleeding + closed cervix
- inevitable miscarriage –> PV bleeding + open cervix
- missed miscarriage –> nil PV bleeding but loss of foetus
What are some risk factors for miscarriage?
✔️ increasing maternal age ✔️ BMI < 18 or > 35 ✔️ previous miscarriage ✔️ smoking, alcohol and drug use during pregnancy ✔️ pregnancy trauma ✔️ maternal infection
Describe clinical presentation of miscarriage / spontaneous abortion.
✔️ PV bleeding / abnormal discharge
✔️ crampy abdominal pain
✔️ loss of pregnancy symptoms (e.g. nausea)
✔️ cervical shock (hypotension, bradycardia) due to stimulation of the vagus nerve by retained POC
What are the types of management available for spontaneous miscarriage / abortion?
EXPECTANT MANAGEMENT
✔️ involves allowing the products of conception to pass on their own
✔️ 70 to 80% success rate in the first trimester
✔️ should not be done beyond 13 weeks gestation
✔️ requires follow up testing (e.g. serum beta-hCG, USS, patient symptoms etc).
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
✔️ generally recommended up until 12+6 weeks gestation, although can be extended into the second trimester
✔️ indicated in the context of failed expectant management, inevitable abortion and haemodynamically stable patients
✔️ mifeprestone (anti-progesterin) plus misoprostol (prostaglandin analogoue) are given orally; repeat dose of misoprostol in 7 days is associated with improved outcomes
✔️ follow up involves USS, beta-hCG levels (serum) and patient symptoms
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
✔️ indicated in failed medical management, retained products of conception and haemodynamically unstable patients
✔️ D+C is the gold-standard
How would you council a woman on becoming pregnant after a miscarriage / spontaneous abortion.
✔️ normal period should return within 4 to 8 weeks
✔️ wait until 2 to 3 normal cycles before trying to conceive again
✔️ council that miscarriage affects between 1 in 4 to 1 in 6 pregnancies
✔️ early folic acid supplementation
✔️ early USS and engagement with medical services
✔️ offer social work / psychological services
Define RECURRENT PREGNANCY LOSS.
What are some risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss?
In a woman < 35 years, recurrent pregnancy loss is defined as three consecutive pregnancy losses; in a woman > 35 years, it is defined as two consecutive pregnancy losses.
Risk factors include: ✔️ anti-phospholipid syndrome ✔️ increasing maternal age ✔️ other chromosomal abnormalities ✔️ inborn errors of metabolism ✔️ uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
Define ECTOPIC PREGNANCY.
Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the products of conception implant outside of the uterus in places such as the fallopian tubes, ampulla, fimbriae, ovaries and abdomen.
Describe some risk factors for ectopic pregnancy.
✔️ previous ectopic pregnancy ✔️ young maternal age ✔️ history of STIs or PID ✔️ previous abdominal / pelvic surgery ✔️ intrauterine device ✔️ adhesions ✔️ IVF ✔️ exogenous hormone use (e.g. progesterone, oestrogen)
What are the three clinical presentations for ectopic pregnancy?
- ruptured ectopic pregnancy –> presents are hypovolemic shock (hypotension, tachycardia, hypoxemia etc) plus sudden onset, severe abdominal pain +/- PV bleeding
- spontaneous resolution –> pregnancy resolves on its own
- spontaneous abortion –> presents similar to miscarriage; treat as a miscarriage
What are the indications for EXPECTANT MANAGEMENT of ectopic pregnancy?
✔️ haemodynamically stable
✔️ beta-hCG < 200 milli international units / mL
✔️ patient understands the risks of ectopic pregnancy
✔️ patient has access to medical services
✔️ patient wiling and able to comply with close follow up
✔️ transvaginal USS shows no extra-uterine sac
What are the indications for MEDICAL MANAGEMENT of ectopic pregnancy?
✔️ haemodynamically stable
✔️ beta-hCG < 5,000 milli international units / mL and decreasing
✔️ adnexal mass < 3 to 4 cm
✔️ no foetal HR detected on USS
✔️ no contraindications to methotrexate
✔️ mother able and filling to engage in follow up
Medical management involves single or double dose of a “medium dose” methotrexate. Folic acid supplementation is also necessary. The patient should be placed on a form of reliable contraception for three months.
What are the indications for SURGICAL MANAGEMENT of ectopic pregnancy?
✔️ haemodynamically UNSTABLE
✔️ beta-hCG > 5,000 milli international units / mL or increasing
✔️ adnexal mass > 3 to 4 cm
✔️ contraindications to methotrexate
✔️ unable to comply to follow up procedures
✔️ foetal HR detected
Surgical management may either be:
- salpingectomy (removal of the fallopian tube) –> associated with a 10% reduction in fertility
- salpingostomy (removal of the sac with preservation of the fallopian tube) –> 4 to 11% have retained products of conception; may require methotrexate therapy
Define GESTATIONAL HYPERTENSION.
Gestational hypertension is defined as a blood pressure > 140 / 90 mmHg that develops > 20 weeks gestational age during pregnancy.
There are four types of gestational hypertension:
- gestational hypertension –> HTN that develops > 20 weeks gestation
- chronic hypertension –> pre-existing HTN
- pre-eclampsia –> gestational hypertension that involves at least ONE other organ system
- pre-eclampsia + chronic hypertension –> pre-eclampsia that develops in a woman who has a background of chronic hypertension (pre-existing prior to pregnancy)
What is the classification of gestational hypertension severity?
MILD:
✔️ SBP between 140 to 150 mmHg
✔️ DBP between 90 to 100 mmHg
MODERATE:
✔️ SBP between 150 to 160 mmHg
✔️ DBP between 100 to 110mmHg
SEVERE:
✔️ SBP between 160 to 170 mmHg
✔️ DBP between 110 to 120 mmHg
LIFE-THREATENING
✔️ SBP > 170 mmHg
✔️ DBP > 110mmHg
How is gestational HTN screened for?
Maternal BP should be measured at every antenatal visit.
Symptoms of pre-eclampsia should also be elicited, including: ✔️ blurred vision ✔️ headaches ✔️ swelling of the peripheries ✔️ foetal movements
Identify first-line management of GESTATIONAL HTN.
- methyldopa (alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist)
- labetolol (beta-blocker)
- nifedipine (calcium channel blocker)
Aim is SBP < 140mmHG and DBP < 85 mmHg
Define PRE-ECLAMPSIA.
Pre-eclampsia is defined as the onset of hypertension > 20 weeks gestation PLUS involvement of at least one other organ system.