HLTH 2501: potential complications of pregnancy and embryonic development Flashcards
ectopic pregnancy
occurs when the zygote is implanted outside the uterus
why is the prevalence of ectopic pregnancies increasing?
due to an increase in pelvic inflammatory disease that may scar the tube and restrict movement of the zygote to the uterus
possible complications of an ectopic pregnancy
spontaneous abortion, rupture of the tube (causing hemorrhage or peritonitis)
pregnancy induced hypertension
refers to a state of high BP (> 140/90 mm Hg) that develops after 20 weeks of gestation and returns to normal after delivery
potential complications of pregnancy-induced hypertension
damaged blood vessels in the kidneys and retina, stroke, or heart failure
what are serious conditions of hypertension in pregnancy (2)?
preeclampsia and eclampsia
signs of preeclampsia and eclampsia
kidney dysfunction, weight gain, and edema in the face, hands, feets, and legs
complication for preeclampsia
HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets)
what help HELLP progress to?
coagulation disorders such as disseminated intravascular coagulation
relationship between preeclampsia and eclampsia
preeclampsia may progress to eclampsia
eclampsia
when the BP is extremely high and generalized (grand mal) seizures or coma develops
gestational diabetes mellitus
is diabetes mellitus that can develop in women during pregnancy due to increased glucose intolerance
risks to the fetus of gestational diabetes mellitus
if blood glucose is higher during the first trimester, the newborn can be larger in size and experience problems regulating their own blood glucose
treatment for women with gestational diabetes mellitus
dietary management and sometimes insulin
placenta previa
occurs when the placenta is implanted in the lower uterus or over the cervical os (passageway between uterus and cervix)
complications of placenta previa
the uterus expands and contracts near the end of pregnancy, causing the placenta to tear and for bleeding to occur (bright red and painless)
abruptio placentae
refers to premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, resulting in bleeding that may or may not be evident vagianlly
signs of abruptio placentae
dark red bleeding and abdominal pain
thromboembolisms
aka blood clots; these are common after childbirth and usually develop in the veins of the legs or pelvis
how to prevent thromboembolism after birth?
walking and being up
phlebothrombosis
thrombus forming spontaneously usually due to stasis of blood or increased coagulability
thrombophlebitis
occurs when the clot forms over an inflamed area in the vein wall
pulmonary embolus
occurs when a piece of the thrombus breaks away and will flow will venous blood to the right side of the heart, then lungs and obstruct blood flow in the lungs
treatment for thromboembolism
do not massage and antiembolic stockings or bed rest
disseminated intravascular coagulation
is a secondary complication of events such as abruptio placentae and preeclampsia and occurs when an increased activation of the clotting mechanism occurs
what can disseminated intravascular coagulation lead to?
hemorrhage during early stages or formation of multiple thrombi, leading to tissue or organ damage in later stages
where does bleeding occur during disseminated intravascular coagulation?
from the uterus, injection sites, from the nose or mouth, or from under the skin
what is hemolytic disease of the newborn called?
erythroblastosis fetalis
possible complications of hemolytic disease in second pregnancy
severe anemia, high serum bilirubin (resulting in jaundice), neurological damage, and heart failure
treatment for the fetus in hemolytic disease
early birth of intrauterine transfusion
treatment for hemolytic disease after birth
transfusion and phototherapy for jaundice (exposure to fluorescent or blue light)
indirect coombs test
is routine screening of maternal blood for Rh antibodies
puerperal infection
is childbed fever in mothers and is an infection of the reproductive tract at any time during the 6 weeks after birth; can be endogenous or exogenous
common organisms causing puerperal infection
group B hemolytic streptococcus, E coli, S aureus, mycoplasma, and chlamydia trachomatis