Early Pregnancy Complications Flashcards
define a miscarriage
removal of products of conception prior to 24 weeks gestation
what is the most common cause of early bleeding in pregnancy
miscarriage
outline some of the causes of miscarriage
infection
abnormal conceptus - chromosomal
uterine abnormalities - incompetent uterus
toxins - smoking, alcohol, drugs, infection
immune diseases
trauma - amniocentesis, coitus
IUCD
describe the features of a threatened miscarriage
pregnancy test positive cervix is closed pain and bleeding uterus = gestational age foetal heart beat present + foetal pole present
how is a threatened miscarriage managed
reassurance and rest
avoid coitus
what is an inevitable miscarriage
pregnancy test positive cervical os open foetal heart beat present pain and bleeding choice of management is up to woman between conservative, medical or surgical
what is an incomplete miscarriage
some of the products of conception have passed whilst others remain in the uterus
cervical os open - products may be visible
woman usually in cervical shock with heavy bleeding
no foetal heartbeat
how does cervical shock present
occurs when there is incomplete emptying of conceptus
severe abdo pain
nausea/vomiting
sweating, faint, tachycardia
manage with fluids, uterotonics and remove products of conception
how is an incomplete miscarriage managed
blood transfusion if in shock
oxytocic
remove POCs
bimanual compression
what are the features of a complete miscarriage
all POC have passed
uterus is empty and small for gestational age
no foetal heart beat
may have pain, amenorrhoea
how is a septic miscarriage managed
antibiotics, resuscitation and evacuation of uterus
how many miscarriage must a woman have had before they are classified as recurrent
3 or more
how is a miscarriage managed conservatively
allow the pregnancy to run its natural course
how is a miscarriage managed medically
administration of misoprostol
how is a miscarriage managed surgically
evacuation of uterus
if a woman with recurrent miscarriage is found to have antiphospholipid syndrome or thrombophilia, what drugs can help her pregnancy
low dose aspiring and daily fragmin injections
what is a molar pregnancy
a non-viable fertilised egg is made with overgrowth of placental tissue - swollen fluid appearing with grape like clusters
describe a partial molar pregnancy
one set of DNA from the egg and 2 from the sperm - fertilised egg causes triploidy
foetus may be present
describe a complete molar pregnancy
no DNA from the egg and 2 sets from the sperm causing diploidy
no foetus is present, just overgrowth of placental tissue
a complete mole carries a small risk of what cancer
choriocarcinoma
how does a molar pregnancy present
extreme hyperemesis
fundus is large for dates
heavy bleeding which may appear like frogspawn
describe the HCG and USS findings seen with molar pregnancy
HCG - unusually high for dates hence hyperemesis
USS - snow storm appearance
how is a molar pregnancy managed
surgical evacuation irrespective of type, tissue is sent to histology to determine type of mole
women are followed up at specialist centres
what is hyperemesis
excessive and prolonged vomiting
list some complications of hyperemesis
dehydration ketosis electrolyte disturbance nutritional imbalance weight loss altered LFTs
how is hyperemesis managed
IV fluids and anti-emetic (oral if possible)
state the first and second line antiemetics used for hyperemesis
first line - cyclizine and prochlorperazine
second line - ondansetron and metaclopramide
give some examples of sensitising events requiring Anti-D immunisation
placental abruption abdo trauma amniocentesis/CVS foetal death vaginal bleeding from 12 weeks TOP ectopic pregnancy delivery of Rh+ve baby
outline some of the risk factors for developing hypertension in pregnancy
increasing maternal age BMI >30 FH of hypertension parity previous hypertension African origin medical conditions such as renal disease, diabetes, connective tissue diseases and thrombophilia