Lecture 4: Complications of Pregnancy Flashcards
What is an ectopic pregnancy and where is it MC?
- Any pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity.
- MC in the ampulla of the fallopian tube.
Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy
- Prior ectopic
- STD
- PID
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
- IUD
Dx of Ectopic pregnancy
- Vaginal bleeding
- Lower Abd Pain
- Adnexal Mass
- Tenderness on pelvic exam
- If ruptured: hypotension, unresponsive, peritoneal irritation up to R shoulder referral
- b-hCG does not 2x every 48h as it does normally
- U/S: Empty uterus or donut sign
What is the pathognomonic sign on U/S for an ectopic pregnancy?
Donut sign
What risk factor is worrisome for heterotopic pregnancy?
ART patients
What is methotrexate’s MOA in regards to pregnancy?
Prevents proliferation of tissue such as trophoblasts. It is a folic acid antagonist.
Indications for methotrexate
- Asymptomatic, motivated, compliant
- Low initial b-hCG (< 5000)
- Small ectopic size (< 3.5cm)
- Absent fetal cardiac activity
- No evidence of intraabdominal bleeding
What should you check prior to administering MTX? During?
- Prior: CMP/CBC
- During: b-hCG, which should decline starting day 4
What are the SEs associated with MTX use?
- Separation pain (mild and relievable with analgesics)
- Liver
- Stomatitis
- Gastroenteritis
- Bone Marrow Depression
Immunosuppressant
Tx for ectopic pregnancy
- MTX (first)
- Surgery: Salpingostomy to salvage tubes
- Salpingectomy: Tubal resection (MC done)
Surgery used if MTX fails
Define abortion/miscarriage
A pregnancy ending prior to 20 weeks gestation
What is a complete abortion?
Complete expulsion of all POC (products of conception) prior to week 20.
If no POC found make sure its not ectopic
How does an incomplete abortion present?
- Vaginal bleeding and abd cramping
- POC protruding thru dilated os or active vag bleeding
- US shows nonviable intrauterine pregnancy
Management of an incomplete abortion
- Curettage
- PGE
- Expectant management
How does an inevitable abortion present?
- No expulsion of POC
- Vag bleeding and dilation of cervix
- nonviable pregnancy
Its gunna come out bc cervix is dilated?
Tx of inevitable abortion
- PGE
- Expectant management
PGE to help dilate and get it out sooner?
How does a missed abortion present?
- Closed cervical os
- Absence of uterine growth
- U/S: nonviable pregnancy
Death prior to 20 weeks with complete retnetion of POC
Tx of missed abortion
- Curettage
- PGE
- Expectant management
It already died so you gotta scoop it out and keep the cervix open :(
How does a threatened abortion present?
- Vaginal bleeding before 20 weeks without dilation of cervix or expulsion of POC
- Cervical os closed
- Vaginal spotting
- U/S: Viable pregnancy
Tx of threatened abortion
- Pelvic rest
- Expectant management
What Rh females should always get RhoGAM?
RH neg
What is a molar pregnancy?
- Hydatiform mole
- Excessively edematous immature placentas
- Villous stromal edema
- Trophoblast proliferation
Risk factors for molar pregnancy
- Extremes of reproductive age (young or old)
- Hx of prior
What is a complete mole?
- 46 XX or XY
- Paternal in origin for both sets
- Vag bleeding
- Large for date
- hCG > 100k
- Theca lutein cyst
Pathology of a complete mole
- No fetal parts
- Edematous villi
What is a partial mole?
- 69 XXX or XXY or XYY
- Two paternal haploid and 1 maternal
- Missed abortion + small for date
- Fetal parts present
Dx of molar pregnancy
- Serum hCG
- U/S for complete: echogenic uterine mass with numerous anechoic cystic spaces without fetus or sac snowstorm appearance
- U/S for partial: Thickened, multicystic placenta along with fetus or tissue
- Pathology confirms
Common sequelae of molar pregnancies
- Thyroid storm
- Hyperemesis gravidarum
- Preeclampsia/eclampsia
Management of molar pregnancy
- Preop eval: thyroid, CBC, CMP, CXR, EKG, Type and screen
- Suction dilation and curettage (pitocin)
- RhoGAM if needed
What needs to be continuously monitored post evacuation of a molar pregnancy?
- b-hCG every 1-2wks until undetectable.
- Check monthly for 6 months afterwards
What is antepartum bleeding?
Bleeding occurring with a viable mature fetus (> 24 wks)
What is placental abruption?
Separation of placenta prior to delivery due to hemorrhage into decidua
How does placental abruption present early?
- Considered chronic abruption if early
- May be associated with elevated AFP
Risk factors for placental abruption
- Trauma
- Increasing age
- HTN/preeclampsia (MC condition associated)
- Preemie ruptured membranes
- smoking
- cocaine
- Lupus
- Thrombophilias
- Uterine fibroids
- Recurrent abruption
What are the clinical findings and dx of placental abruption?
- Sudden onset abd pain
- Vaginal bleeding
- Uterine tenderness
- DX of exclusion
- U/S: generally limited in use.
Complications of placental abruption
- Hypovolemic shock
- Consumptive coagulopathy/DIC
- AKI
- Couvelaire Uterus (makes myometrium bluish purple)
Management of placental abruption
- C-section for quicker sx but risk of DIC is higher
- If fetus is dead already, do vaginal
What is placental previa?
- Placenta implanted in lower uterine segment
- Over/near internal cervical os
Blocking the cervix
What are the two types of placenta previa?
- Placenta previa: internal os covered partially or fully by placenta
- Low-lying placenta: Implantation in lower uterine segment but not reaching internal os; 2cm outside of os
Risk factors for placental previa
- Increased age
- Increased parity
- Prior C-section
- Smoking
- Elevated MSAFP(same as AFP)
Clinical presentation of placenta previa
Painless vaginal bleeding occurring past 2nd trimester
Dx of placenta previa
TVUS is most accurate
DO NOT DO DIGITAL EXAM UNTI PREVIA IS RULED OUT
you might puncture the placenta doing a digital exam
What factors make a low-lying placenta likely to persist?
Hx of prior C-section or hysterotomy scar
Low chance up until 23 weeks, at which time it goes up in persistence.
Management of placenta previa
- If persistent bleeding: Delivery for preemie
- If non-persistent bleeding: watch if its preemie
- If Term: Delivery via C-section
What are the placenta accrete syndromes?
- Abnormally implanted, invasive, or adhered placenta
- Abnormally firm adherence to myometrium due to lack/thin decidua basalis and imperfect fibrinoid layer.
- Placenta Accreta: Attached to myometrium
- Placenta Increta: Invading myometrium
- Placenta Percreta: Penetrating myometrium and serosa
Risk factors for placenta accrete syndromes
- Associated placenta previa
- Prior C-section