Early Pregnancy Complications Flashcards
Define miscarriage
Pregnancy loss before 24 weeks
What are the symptoms of a miscarriage?
Positive pregnancy test, bleeding with period cramps
What can help to identify a miscarriage?
Ultrasound
Speculum examination to assess stage
What are the symptoms of cervical shock?
Cramps, nausea/vomiting, sweating, fainting
How is cervical shock managed?
Remove products from cervix, occasionally IV resuscitation is required
Name the causes of miscarriage
Embryonical abnormality Immune cause - anti phospholipid syndrome Infection - CMV, rubella, listeria Severe emotional upset/stress Iatrogenic Uncontrolled diabetes Alcohol/drugs
What are the four types of miscarriage?
Threatened
Inevitable
Incomplete
Complete
Describe a threatened miscarriage
Closed os and no product can be seen, risk to pregnancy
Describe an inevitable miscarriage
Pregnancy cannot be saved, open os but nothing in the vagina
Describe an incomplete miscarriage
Part of pregnancy is lost already, os is open and pregnancy can be seen
Describe a complete miscarriage
All of pregnancy is lost and the uterus is empty
On a scan what counts as a non-viable pregnancy
Sac diameter >25mm and foetal pole >7mm with no heartbeat
What is the name given to the presence of a sac but no foetus?
Anmbryonic pregnancy
Describe the different management options in a miscarriage
Conservative
Medical (miepristone and misoprostol)
Manual Vacuum Aspiration
Surgical Evacuation
What investigations should be done on a patient with a suspected miscarriage?
FBC, group and save, serum hCG, ultrasound and histology
What should be given in patients who require surgical intervention for miscarriage?
Anti-D
What counts as recurrent miscarriage?
3 or more pregnancy losses
State the causes of recurrent miscarriage
Antiphospholipid syndrome Thrombophilia Balanced translocations Uterine abnormality Age Previous miscarriage
How is anti phospholipid syndrome managed?
Low dose aspirin
Daily frogmen
What treatment can be given in recurrent miscarriages?
Progesterone pessary if >35 and more than two miscarriages
Define ectopic pregnancy
Normal embryo implanted out with the uterine cavity