exam three: bleeding, IOL, birth variations Flashcards
bleeding during pregnancy is…
very common
bleeding in pregnancy is often..
- relatively benign
benign causes of bleeding in pregnancy
-Implantation bleeding when egg is implanted into uterus
-Spotting after intercourse or a pap smear
-Bloody “show” during labor
-Treatable infection (such as Chlamydia)
More serious causes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy:
-Spontaneous abortion (aka miscarriage)
-Ectopic pregnancy
-Incompetent cervix
-Gestational trophoblastic disease (Molar pregnancy)
-Placenta previa
-Placenta abruptio (Abruption)
-Preterm labor*
-Uterine rupture*
1st trimester bleeding is common
-Up to 25% of women with known pregnancies will experience some type of bleeding in the first trimester.
-About half will result in pregnancy loss
high chance of loss with bleeding if…
Bleeding is accompanied by pain (i.e. cramping or back pain)
lower chance of loss with bleeding if
Once normal FHT are documented by doppler or ultrasound
Spontaneous Abortion (SAB)
Expulsion of fetus prior to 20 weeks gestation or weight less than 500 grams if age isn’t known
causes of SAB
-Chromosomal abnormalities- most common
-Uterine or cervical problems
-Inherited thrombophlebitis, endocrine disorders
-Teratogenic drugs
-Uncontrolled chronic disease (diabetes-high glucose is toxic to tissues, hypothyroidism)
-Infections
-Trauma especially abdomen
Pathophysiology of SAB
- Differs according to cause
- Embryonic death → loss of hCG → decreased progesterone & estrogen → uterine decidua sloughed off → uterus irritated and contracts → expels embryo or fetus
Classification of abortions
- threatened abortion
- imminent abortion
- incomplete abortion
- complete abortion
- missed abortion
- recurrent pregnancy loss
- Septic abortion-presence of infection
threatened abortion
- Bleeding for unexplained reasons prior to 20 weeks
- cervix is closed
- Threatened
Imminent Abortion
- Bleeding, cramping, os opens, membranes may rupture
- Will happen just a matter of time
- inevitable
Incomplete Abortion:
Expulsion of some products of conception, but some retained
Complete Abortion:
All of products of conception expelled
Missed Abortion:
- Fetus dies but has not bee expelled
- Diagnosis made by ultrasound
- Normally woman comes in for normal OB appt. and measures a size smaller than dates and don’t see fetal heart tones
Recurrent pregnancy loss:
- 3 or more pregnancies
Septic abortion-presence of infection
- Usually from prolonged rupture of membranes
- May be associated with IUD when get pregnant illegal abortion
Diagnosis of abortions
- physical exam
- US
- labs
physical exam to diagnose abortion
Speculum to see if cervix open and if anything is coming out of cervix
US to diagnose abortion
- Gestational sack in uterus with embryo?
- Size of embryo?
- Fetal heart tones?
labs to diagnose abortion
- HCG-should rise 50% Q 48-72 hours until 10 weeks when decreases.
- Repeat Q 48-72 Hours to see if rising appropriately.
- Blood type and Rh
- RhoGAM if Rh negative and antibody screen is negative
- CBC (to check for anemia following significant blood loss)
Treatment of SAB
- Lack of therapeutic interventions for threatened miscarriages or in the process of miscarrying to prevent from happening
- expectant
- medical
- surgical
expectant treatment of SAB
- Treatment for inevitable or with poor prognosis (missed or incomplete abortion) if clinically stable
- watch and wait
- 3-4 weeks to see if pass on own if in the 1st trimester
- Heavy bleeding, cramping or signs of infection and surgical intervention is recommended
medical treatment of SAB
- mifepristone and misoprostol combination
- helps cervix dilate and soften and contract uterus
- Very Effective especially in 1st trimester
- May have more bleeding, longer time between treatment and passage of fetus, and lower success rate than surgical
surgical treatment of SAB
- dilation and curettage (D&C); dilation and evacuation (D&E)
- Mechanically dilates cervix then use instrument to surgically remove the products by scraping the inside of the uterus or suctioning out the contents
anticipatory guidance for treating SAB
Nurses are often the ones who are talking to these women in the ER, clinic or over the phone. It’s important to explain how much blood and pain can be possible. In addition, women need to be prepared for what the fetus/placenta will look like. Finally, they need to know how to contact additional help if their status changes in the middle of the night. They need to be provided with resources and reassured that they may not yet be ready for them.
ectopic pregnancy
- Implantation of a conceptus in a site other than the endometrial lining of the uterus
- Most common site: ampullar tubal which is where fertilization takes place
Patho of ectopic pregnancy
- Prevented or slowed progress down the tube, fails to implant in uterus
- Trophoblasts grow into and through the wall of tube causing internal hemorrhage- not viable pregnancy
risk factors of ectopic pregnancy
- Previous ectopic, PID, pelvic surgery, endometriosis, smoking, AMA (advanced maternal age), IUD while got pregnant
signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
- Initially, normal pregnancy signs: Missed menses, positive pregnancy test, breast tenderness, nausea
- Bleeding/spotting
- Lower quadrant abdominal or rectal pain
- Fainting, dizziness if tube ruptures
- Right shoulder pain: Sub-diaphragmatic irritation from blood in abdomen
- Hypovolemic shock
- Slow to rise HCG, US with no IUP or mass in tube (don’t see anything in the uterus), low hemoglobin & hematocrit
triad of symptoms = ectopic pregnancy
- missed menses or + pregnancy test
- Lower quadrant pain
- Vaginal spotting, bleeding, brownish discharge
treatment of ectopic pregnancy
- Important to explain to women that this is not a viable pregnancy and can lead to future infertility and potentially death if not treated right away.
- Longer the pregnancy lasts the more chance the fallopian tube will rupture
- medically
- surgically
medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy
-Methotrexate IM
- folic acid antagonist: prevents or inhibits the growth of the trophoblastic cells which then prevents embryo from growing and is reabsorbed by individuals body
- Preserves the tubes
- Works well early on
surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy
- Can be an emergent situation especially with rupture of the fallopian tube
- Removes pregnancy
- May need to remove part of or entire tube depending on if it has ruptured or not
- Follow up will include H&H/blood replacement and RhoGAM as indicated (Rh negative)
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD)
- Pathologic proliferation of trophoblastic cells- keep proliferating
- Different degrees
1. Hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy)
2. Choriocarcinoma - CAN BE DEADLY
Molar Pregnancy signs and symptoms
- Vaginal Bleeding- brown or bright red
- Hydropic villi passed (grape like clusters)
- Uterine Enlargement (Size>Dates)
- No fetal heart tones
- “Snowstorm” on US
- Elevated serum HCG (very high from all of trophoblasts
- Hyperemesis gravidarum: severe N/V
- Early (2nd trimester) Preeclampsia
Molar Pregnancy complications
- Mastitis of cancer cells, anemia, infection, ovarian cysts, hyperthyroidism, embolization to lungs, hemorrhage, death
molar pregnancy treatment
-suction evacuation of mole ASAP
-possible chemotherapy (especially if mastitis is present)
follow up- molar pregnancy
- Chest x-ray to evaluate for metastasis (may do frequently over course of year to make sure that hasn’t been any)
- Monitor hCG
-Frequent monitoring (Monthly to every other month for at least a year)
-If rises, think cancer and treat with chemo - No pregnancy x 1 year, as rising hCG could be a malignancy present with new pregnancy
-Would Cloud diagnosis
-Effective contraception for year
Incompetent Cervix
-Painless dilation of the cervix without contractions before 16-18 weeks gestation
-Caused by: structural or functional defect of the cervix
multiple factors for incompetent cervix
- Congenital (bicornuate uterus)- septum down middle of uterus that may extend completely through uterus
- Acquired (infection, inflammation, twins, extensive treatment of abnormal pap smears with cone biopsy where doesn’t have enough structural integrity to maintain pregnancy )
- Hormonal (endocrine)
- Structural laxity of cervical collagen
Incompetent Cervix and getting Obstetric history
- gives provider clues of higher risk:
1. repetitive 2nd trimester loss especially if no pain involved and deliver without contractions
2. progressively early births
treatment of Incompetent Cervix
- Close surveillance with serial US of cervical length checks- does it shorten
- Cerclage: suture around cervix to hold closed
-Done Around 14-16 weeks or if have shortened cervix that is opening or part of the baby is coming out or as rescue measure (but riskier cuz could cause ROM or infection)
-If contracting at all at any point then suture wont hold any longer and suture starts to tear and bleed- will need to be removed
-Removed around 36 weeks and is allowed to labor after that
Abruptio Placentae
premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from uterine wall
classification of abruptio placentae
- Partial- part of the placenta separates from uterine wall
- Complete- the entire placenta detaches from the uterus wall
-Massive bleeding
-Increased fetal and maternal death
types of abruptio placentae
- marginal
- central
marginal abruptio placentae`
- separation is at edge of placenta
- Blood passes between membranes and uterine wall
- Moderate to severe vaginal bleeding that is visible because edge of placenta is not in-tact against uterine wall anymore
central abruptio placentae
- in center of placenta
- Blood is trapped between the placenta and the uterine wall
- Little or no visible vaginal bleeding because the edges of the placenta are holding all blood in
Abruption
-Sudden onset
-Bleeding: Dark, External or concealed, Shock and anemia may or may not be reflective of blood lost
-Severe pain
-Uterus: Tender and firm to palpation all the time ,Abruption pattern (tachysystole)- frequent contractions with no return to the resting tone of uterus
Risk Factors for Abruption
- hypertension- most common
- trauma: DV, FALLS, MVA
-Cocaine or methamphetamine use
-History of abruption
-Smoking- from vasoconstriction of BV
-Uterine over- distention: Multifetal pregnancies, Hydramnios
-pPROM
-Age > 40
-High parity
-Unknown
how does hypertension put you at risk for abruption
High pressure causing vasospasm of blood vessels= damage, platelet aggregation, and obstruction
how does Cocaine or methamphetamine use put you at risk for abruption
Causes vascular disruption of placental bed
Will have high elevations of BP and tachysystole after using which both are risks for abruption
Maternal Risks of Abruption
- Depends on severity of abruption
- Hemorrhage may result in:
-Anemia
-Hysterectomy
-Shock
-Death - DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
-Uses up all clotting factors trying to control the hemorrhage that is occurring
Fetal-Neonatal Risks of abruption
- Depends on degree of abruption and gestational age
-Preterm labor (and associated complications)
-Anemia/hypovolemia from the bleeding
-Hypoxia from lack of perfusion to fetus: Brain damage , Neurological deficits, Death - Perinatal mortality:
-Moderate abruption- 25%
-100% death rate if >50% of placenta is involved
Nursing Care of abruption
- After diagnosis, plan depends on status of mother & fetus, as well as gestational age
-Vaginal or c-section delivery depending on severity of situation - Evaluate for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC )
-Clotting studies and CBC - Correct hypovolemia and blood loss
- Multiple lab tests
-Clotting studies
-Hemoglobin/hematocrit