Early Pregnancy Flashcards
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
Pregnancy which is implanted outside the uterus
Where is an ectopic pregnancy most likely to implant?
Fallopian tubes
What are the risk factors of ectopic pregnancy?
Previous ectopic pregnancy Previous pelvic inflammatory disease Previous surgery to the Fallopian tubes Intrauterine devices Older age Smoking
What are the features of an ectopic pregnancy?
Missed period
Constant lower abdominal pain in the right or left iliac fossa
Vaginal bleeding
Lower abdominal or pelvic tenderness
Cervical motion tenderness (pain when moving the cervix during a bimanual examination)
It is also worth asking about…
Any dizziness (indicates blood loss) Shoulder tip pain (peritonitis)
What investigations would you carry out for an ectopic pregnancy?
Pregnancy test (urine B-HCG)
If positive- pelvic USS should be performed, this determines the presence of absence of an intrauterine ‘normal’ pregnancy. If an intrauterine pregnancy is not seen on trans abdominal USS then transvaginal should be offered
What could of happened if pregnancy is not identified on ultrasound scan but the pregnancy test comes back as positive?
Very early intrauterine pregnancy
Miscarriage
Ectopic pregnancy
How do you distinguish between early intrauterine pregnancy, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy?
In this situation a serum BHCG level should be taken
If the initial B-HCG level is >1500 and there is no intrauterine pregnancy on trans vaginal ultrasound, then this should be considered an ectopic pregnancy until proven otherwise, a diagnostic laparoscopy should be offered.
If the initial B-HCG level is <1500 and the patient is stable, a further blood test can be taken 48 hours later…
. In a viable pregnancy, HCG level would be expected to double every 48 hours
. In a miscarriage, HCG level would be expected to halve every 48 hours
What is the immediate treatment of an ectopic pregnancy?
Admission to hospital
A to E approach if they are unstable
This may include the use of blood products if there are signs of haemodynamic instability.
What is the medical management of an ectopic pregnancy?
IM methotrexate
How does methotrexate work in terms of abortion?
An anti folate cytotoxic agent which disrupts the folate dependent cell division of the developing foetus, the pregnancy will then gradually resolve.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of IM methotrexate?
Advantages: avoids the complications of surgical management and the patient can be at home after the injection.
Disadvantages: potential side effects of methotrexate- abdominal pain, myelosuppression, renal dysfunction, hepatitis, teratogenesis (patient must use contraception for 3-6 months after methotrexate use)
What is the surgical management of ectopic pregnancy?
Laparoscopic salpingectomy is usually performed- removing the tube that it is implanted in.
Salpingotomy May be needed if collateral tube is also affected.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of surgical management of an ectopic pregnancy?
Advantages- reassurance about when the definitive treatment can be provided, high success rate
Disadvantages: general anaesthetic risk, risk of damage to neighbouring structures like the bladder, bowel ureters, DVT/PE, haemorrhage, infection.
All rhesus negative women who Recieve surgical management of an ectopic pregnancy, should be offered Anti D prophylaxis.
What is the conservative management of an ectopic pregnancy?
Watchful waiting of the stable patient while allowing the ectopic pregnancy to resolve naturally. This is suitable for a small number of patients only.
What are the complications of an ectopic pregnancy?
An untreated ectopic pregnancy can lead to Fallopian tube rupture, the resulting blood loss can result in hypovolaemia shock and result in organ failure and death.
What is a miscarriage?
Spontaneous termination of a pregnancy
What is the difference between early and late miscarriage?
Early miscarriage is before 12 weeks gestation
Late miscarriage is between 12 and 24 weeks gestation
What is a missed miscarriage?
The foetus is no longer alive but no symptoms have occurred
What is a threatened miscarriage?
Vaginal bleeding with a closed cervix and a foetus which is alive
What is an inevitable miscarriage?
Vaginal bleeding with an open cervix
What is an incomplete miscarriage?
This is where retained products of conception remain in the uterus after the miscarriage
What is a complete miscarriage?
A full miscarriage has occurred, there are no products of conception left in the uterus.
What is an anembryonic pregnancy?
Gestational sac is present but contains no embryo
How do you diagnose a miscarriage?
Transvaginal ultrasound scan is the investigation of choice for diagnosing a miscarriage
What are the risk factors for miscarriage?
Maternal age >30-35 Previous miscarriage Obesity Chromosomal abnormalities Smoking Uterine anomalies Previous uterine surgery Anti phospholipid syndrome Coagulopathies
What are the clinical features of miscarriage?
Vaginal bleeding, including passing clots or products of conception however many are found incidentally on ultrasound
How would someone present if there is excessive bleeding iniscarriage?
Dizziness, pallor and shortness of breath. The bleeding is also often accompanied by a suprapubic cramping pain
What signs would you have on examination of a patient who has suffered from miscarriage?
Haemodynamic instability- pallor, tachycardia, tachypnoea, hypotension
Abdominal examination- abdomen may be distended, with localised areas of tenderness
Speculum examination- assess the diameter of the cervical os, and observe for any products of conception in cervical canal, or local areas of bleeding
Bimanual examination- looking for any uterine tenderness and any adnexal masses or collections (consider ectopic pregnancy)
What is differential diagnosis of miscarriage?
Ectopic pregnancy
Hydatidiform mole
Cervical/uterine malignancy
How do you diagnose miscarriage in imaging?
Transvaginal ultrasound scan
Most important finding to exclude a miscarriage is fetal cardiac activity, observed transvaginally at 5 1/2-6 weeks gestation
If the crown rump length is <7mm and no foetal heart rate is identified, then a scan is needed again in at least 7 days.
What other tests other than a transvaginal ultrasound (ruling out ectopic pregnancy/miscarriage) would you want to do for a woman bleeding during pregnancy?
Blood tests
Serum b-HCG measurements are useful in assessing the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy.
Other investigations indicated in women bleeding are…
. FBC
. Blood group and rhesus status
. Triple swabs and CRP (if pyrexial)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of conservative management of miscarriage?
Conservative management allows the products of conception to pass naturally.
Patients should have 24/7 access to gynaecology services during this time
Advantages- can remain at home, there are no side effects of medications, no anaesthetic or surgical risk
Disadvantages- unpredictable timing, HMB, pain during passage of POC, chance of being unsuccessful requiring further intervention and need for transfusion.
How can you follow up someone who has had a conservative management of miscarriage?
Scan in 2 weeks or pregnancy test in 3 weeks.
What are the contraindications of conservative management of miscarriage?
Infection
High risk of haemorrhage- coagulopathy, haemodynamic instability
What is the medical management of miscarriage?x
Vaginal misoprostol (prostaglandin analogue) this stimulates cervical ripening and myometrial contractions.
What are the advantages, disadvantages of medical management of miscarriage and what is the follow up?
Ad.vantages- can be at home if patient desires, with 24/7 access to gynaecology services, avoid anaesthetic and surgical risk
Disadvantages- side effects of medication, vomiting, diarrhoea, heavy bleeding and pain during passage of POC, chance of requiring emergency surgical intervention
Follow up- pregnancy test 3 weeks after