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Gynaecology > Miscarriage > Flashcards

Miscarriage Flashcards

1
Q

What is a miscarriage?

A

Loss of a pregnancy at less than 24 weeks gestation

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2
Q

What is an early miscarriage?

A

Loss in the first trimester (weeks 1-12)

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3
Q

What is a late miscarriage?

A

Loss between weeks 13-24

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4
Q

What are risk factors for miscarriage?

A 
Maternal age >30-35
Previous miscarriage
Obesity
Maternal/paternal chromosomal abnormalities
Smoking 
Uterine anomalies
Antiphospholipid syndrome
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5
Q

What are the clinical features of miscarriage?

A

Vaginal bleeding

Abdominal cramping

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6
Q

What examinations are indicated in a potential miscarriage?

A

Assess for haemodynamic instability

Abdominal exam

Speculum exam

Bimanual examination

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7
Q

What are differential diagnoses for miscarriage?

A

Ectopic pregnancy
Hydatidiform mole
Cervical/uterine malignancy

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8
Q

Where are most patients with a suspected miscarriage investigated?

A

Early pregnancy units

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9
Q

What investigations are done for a suspected miscarriage?

A

Transvaginal ultrasound

  • mean sac diameter
  • > 25mm = failed pregnancy
  • <25mm = repeat scan in 10-14 days
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10
Q

How are miscarriages managed conservatively?

A

Allow the products of conception to pass naturally

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11
Q

What are the advantages of conservative management?

A

Can remain at home

No medication side effects

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12
Q

What are the disadvantages of conservative management?

A

Unpredictable timing
Heavy bleeding + pain
Chance of needing further intervention

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13
Q

What is the follow up of conservative management?

A

Repeat scan in 2 weeks

Pregnancy test 3 weeks later

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14
Q

What is the medical management of miscarriage?

A

Use of vaginal misoprostol (prostaglandin analogue)

  • stimulate cervical ripening
  • stimulate myometrial contractions

Usually preceded by mifepristone 24-48 hours before

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15
Q

What are the advantages to medical management?

A

Can be at home if desired

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16
Q

What are the disadvantages of medical management?

A

Medication side effects
- D+V

Heavy bleeding + pain

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17
Q

What is the follow up for medical management?

A

Pregnancy test 3 weeks later

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18
Q

What is the surgical management of miscarriages?

A

<12 weeks = manual vacuum aspiration with local anaesthetic

Evacuation of retained products of conception

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19
Q

What are indications for surgical management?

A

Haemodynamic instability
Infected tissue
Gestational trophoblastic disease

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20
Q

What are the advantages of surgical management?

A

Planned procedure

Patient unaware during procedure

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21
Q

What are disadvantages of surgical management?

A 
Anaesthetic risk 
Infection 
Uterine perforation 
Haemorrhage 
Asherman's syndrome 
Retained products of conception
22
Q

What is Asherman’s syndrome?

A

Existence of scar tissue/adhesions in uterus

23
Q

What are the types of miscarriage?

A 
Threatened
Inevitable 
Missed
Complete
Incomplete
Septic
24
Q

What are the clinical features of a threatened miscarriage?

A

Mild bleeding
+/- pain

Cervix closed

25
Q

What does transvaginal USS show in a threatened miscarriage?

A

Viable pregnancy

26
Q

What is the management of a threatened miscarriage?

A

Reassure

Heavy bleeding = admit/observe

> 12 weeks + Rhesus neative = anti-D

27
Q

What are the clinical features of an inevitable miscarriage?

A

Heavy bleeding
Clots
Pain

Cervix open

28
Q

What does a transvaginal ultrasound show in an inevitable miscarriage?

A

Internal os open

Foetus can be viable or non viable

29
Q

How is an inevitable miscarriage managed?

A

Offer conservative/medical/surgical options - likely to proceed to incomplete/complete miscarriage

> 12 weeks + Rhesus negative = anti-D

30
Q

What is a missed miscarriage?

A

Miscarriage found incidentally on ultrasound

31
Q

What are the clinical features of a missed miscarriage?

A

Asymptomatic
Hx of threatened miscarriage
On-going discharge
Uterus small for dates

32
Q

What does a transvaginal ultrasound show in a missed miscarriage?

A

No foetal heart pulsation in a foetus where the crown length >7mm

33
Q

How is a missed miscarriage managed?

A

Rescan + second person to confirm

Manage conservatively, medically or surgically

> 12 weeks + Rhesus negative = anti-D

34
Q

What is an incomplete miscarriage?

A

Miscarriage where the products of conception have been partially expelled

35
Q

What are the clinical features of an incomplete miscarriage?

A

Products of conception partially expelled

Bleeding

36
Q

What does a transvaginal ultrasound show in an incomplete miscarriage?

A

Retained products of conception
A/P endometrial diameter >15mm
Proof there was an intrauterine pregnancy

37
Q

How is an incomplete miscarriage managed?

A

Manage conservatively, medically or surgically

> 12 weeks + Rhesus negative = anti-D

38
Q

What is a complete miscarriage?

A

Miscarriage where the products of conception are completely expelled

39
Q

What are the clinical features of a complete miscarriage?

A

Hx of bleeding
Passing clots/products of conception
Pain
Symptoms settling

40
Q

What does a transvaginal ultrasound show in a complete miscarriage?

A

No POC seen in uterus
Endometrium <15mm diameter
Previous proof of intrauterine pregnancy

41
Q

How is a complete miscarriage managed?

A

Discharge to GP

Manage conservatively, medically or surgically

> 12 weeks + Rhesus negative = anti-D

42
Q

What is a septic miscarriage?

A

Infected products of conception

43
Q

What are the clinical features of a septic miscarriage?

A 
Infected products of conception 
Fever
Rigors
Uterine tenderness
Bleeding/discharge
Pain
44
Q

What does a transvaginal ultrasound show in a septic miscarriage?

A

Features of complete/incomplete miscarriage

45
Q

What will blood results show in a septic miscarriage?

A

Leucocytosis

Raised CRP

46
Q

How is a septic miscarriage managed?

A

Medical + surgical management

IV antibiotics
IV fluids

> 12 weeks + Rhesus negative = anti-D

47
Q

What is recurrent miscarriage?

A

3 or more consecutive miscarriages

48
Q

What can cause recurrent miscarriage?

A 
Idiopathic
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Genetic problems
Uterine abnormalities
Hereditary thrombophilias
49
Q

How is recurrent miscarriage investigated?

A

Antiphospholipid antibodies
Thrombophilia screen
Pelvic USS

Genetic testing

  • parents
  • POC from 3rd miscarriage onwards
50
Q

What are the antiphospholipid antibodies?

A

Anticardiolipin

Lupus anticoagulant

51
Q

How is recurrent miscarriage managed?

A

Treat underlying cause

52
Q

How is antiphospholipid syndrome managed?

A

Low dose aspirin + LMWH

Gynaecology (32 decks)

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