Miscarriage, Ectopic Pregnancy, Molar Pregnancy, Hyperemesis Gravidarum Flashcards
What is typical appearance of molar pregnancy on USS?
snowstorm appearance
What is the marker for detecting pregnancy?
beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta HCG)
The beta HCG urine test can detect pregnancy as early as __ IU as it is highly sensitive.
20
Minimal bleeding is very common in early pregnancy and occurs in about 20%. List some causes of bleeding that aren’t abnormal pregnancy (ectopic, molar and miscarriage). (6)
implantation bleeding, sub-chorionic haematoma, cervical causes (infection, malignancy, polyp), vaginal causes (infection, malignancy), haematuria, PR bleeding
How do miscarriages present?
Positive urine pregnancy test with bleeding > cramping,
period type cramps
What investigations are done and why to determine if there is a miscarriage?
Ultrasound to identify pregnancy in-uterio, +/- fetal heartbeat, in process of expulsion or empty uterus,
Speculum to assess stage.
Outline the stages of miscarriage assessed by speculum exam.
Threatened - os closed - risk to pregnancy
Inevitable - os open and products sited
Complete miscarriage - os closed and products sited
If os products remain at cervix the patient may present with cervical shock. Outline presentation and treatment for this.
Presentation: cramps, n & v, sweating, fainting. Treatment: resolves when os products removed, resus with IVI, maybe uterotonics
List 7 causes of miscarriage.
chromosomal embryonic abnormality,
immune cause e.g. Antiphospholipid syndrome,
infections,
severe emotional distress,
iatrogenic loss e.g. chorionic villus sampling,
uncontrolled diabetes,
associated with heavy smoking, cocaine, alcohol misuse
List 4 infectious organisms that can cause miscarriage.
cytomegalovirus, rubella, toxoplasmosis, listeria
What is the pathophysiology of miscarriage?
Unclear but know that bleeding from placental bed or chorion causes hypoxia and villous/placental dysfunction and embryo breaks down
In early foetal demise or non continuing pregnancy (NCP) there is a pregnancy in-situ with no heartbeat. However to diagnose this the mean sac diameter and the fetal pole must both be greater than what?
Mean sac diameter >25mm and fetal pole >7mm
What is an anembryonic pregnancy?
sac is empty and no foetal poles seen
What investigations should be carried out after miscarriage? (5)
FBC, group & save, serum hCG, USS, histology
What is the management of miscarriage?
discharge if complete, if not need conservative, medical, MVA or surgical treatment, emotional support
What is the definition of recurrent miscarriage?
When 3 or more pregnancies are lost
What are 5 risk factors for recurrent miscarriage?
antiphospholipid syndrome, uterine abnormality (late first trimester loss), balanced translocation (rare), age, previous miscarriages
What is used to prevent miscarriage in viable IUP and APS?
use of low dose aspirin and daily fragmin injections
In what situation is progesterone pessary used to try and prevent recurrent miscarriage?
unexplained causes if >35 years and 2 or more losses
List 6 sites of ectopic pregnancy.
fallopian tube, ovary, peritoneum, liver, cervix, C-section scar