Early Pregnancy Complications Flashcards
Miscarriage is defined as the spontaneous end of a pregnancy before the foetus has reached the age of viability- what is this age?
24 weeks
Sporadic miscarriages occur in what percentage of all pregnancies?
20%
What is the most common cause of a miscarriage?
Underlying genetic abnormality
What are some risk factors for miscarriage?
Increased maternal age, smoking/alcohol/drugs, excessive caffeine
What defines recurrent miscarriage?
The loss of three consecutive pregnancies
In women with APS, what interventions may improve the live birth rate for future pregnancies?
Low-dose aspirin and LMWH
What are some risk factors for recurrent miscarriage?
Increasing age and previous miscarriages
How is a miscarriage most likely to present?
PV bleeding and crampy abdominal pain
What two types of miscarriage will be associated with a viable intra-uterine pregnancy on ultrasound?
Threatened and inevitable
Which type of miscarriage is this describing: vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain with a closed cervical os?
Threatened miscarriage
Which type of miscarriage is this describing: vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain with an open cervical os?
Inevitable miscarriage
Which type of miscarriage is this describing: vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain with an open cervical os and/or products of conception in the cervical os?
Incomplete miscarriage
Which type of miscarriage is this describing: settling vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain with a closed cervical os?
Complete miscarriage
Which type of miscarriage is this describing: often completely asymptomatic, but no foetal heartbeat and/or an empty gestational sac is found on ultrasound?
Missed miscarriage
Why should products of conception be removed from the cervix in women having a miscarriage?
To reduce blood loss and pain, and reduce the risk of cervical shock
If a woman with a miscarriage experiences cramps, N+V, sweating and fainting, what complication should you consider?
Cervical shock
What are the 4 main investigations for women with a miscarriage?
Urinary pregnancy test, serial HCG testing, TVUS, bloods for G&S
Transvaginal ultrasound is the most sensitive investigation for pregnancies less than what gestation?
8 weeks
The foetal heartbeat should be auscultated by hand held Doppler from what gestation?
12 weeks
What pattern seen on serial HCG testing is most indicative of miscarriage?
Decreasing concentrations over time
In a woman with recurrent miscarriage, what investigation is used to screen for anti-phospholipid syndrome?
Anti-cardiolipin antibodies
In a woman with recurrent miscarriage, what investigation is used to look for balanced translocations?
Parental karyotyping
In a woman with recurrent miscarriage, what investigation is used to look for thrombophilic defects?
Thrombophilia screen
In a woman with recurrent miscarriage, what investigation is used to look for uterine abnormalities?
TVUS and/or hysteroscopy
What management is required for women with excessive, life-threatening blood loss from a miscarriage?
Surgical management
What is usually the first line management plan for miscarriage?
Expectant management
What are the 3 situations in which expectant management is not possible for miscarriage?
High risk of bleeding, evidence of infection, previous adverse/traumatic event associated with pregnancy
What follow up is required for women who undergo expectant management of a miscarriage?
Ultrasound scan in 2-3 weeks
What medicine is used in the medical management of a miscarriage?
PO or PV misoprostol (PV is recommended)
Women who undergo medical management of a miscarriage are advised to take a pregnancy test when?
2 weeks after treatment
What is the most common surgical management option for miscarriage?
Dilatation and evacuation
Surgical management of a miscarriage with dilatation and evacuation can be done up to what gestation?
12 weeks
What is the most common location of an ectopic pregnancy?
Ampulla of the fallopian tube
In which area of the fallopian tube is an ectopic pregnancy most likely to rupture?
Isthmus
What is the key risk factor predisposing to ectopic pregnancy?
Damage to the fallopian tube