Placental Problems in Pregnancy Flashcards
What four categories of ‘placental problems’ are talked about in this lecture?
Exaggerated symptoms of pregnancy
Bleeding disorders of pregnancy
Medical problems of pregnancy
Multiple pregnancy
What does early/late antepartum mean?
Early <24 weeks, late >24 weeks
What does intrapartum mean?
In labour – first and second stages
What does postpartum mean?
From delivery of foetus up to 6 weeks later
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
Extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
How many % of pregnant women does nausea and vomiting affect early on?
70-80%
How many % of pregnant women does HG affect?
0.3-2%
What are the dangers of HG?
Severe nausea/vomiting can cause electrolyte imbalance and weight loss.
What might cause HG?
It is poorly understood, but it might be due to beta-HCG stimulating the upper GI tract. It is similar to TSH and so also has effects on the TSH receptor.
How is HG managed?
Dietary advice IV fluids Avoid dextrose Thiamine Antiemetics
What % of pregnancies does early bleeding affect? How many % settle vs lead to miscarriage/ectopic/GTD?
25%
50% and 50%
What is the definition of a spontaneous miscarriage? When do the majority of these cases occur?
Foetus dies or delivers dead <24 weeks
Before 12 weeks
How many % of pregnancies miscarry? How many % of these are isolated?
20-30%
60%
What are the six types of miscarriage?
Threatened Inevitable Incomplete Complete Septic Missed
Threatened miscarriage - describe the bleeding, the state of the cervical os, the size/health of the foetus and how many go on to miscarry.
Light and painless bleeding
Cervical os is closed
Foetus is alive and the size expected from dates
25%
Inevitable miscarriage - what is the bleeding like? Is the cervical os open/closed? Is the foetus alive? Are there any other symptoms?
Bleeding normally heavier
Os is open
Foetus may be alive at this point
Pelvic pain/cramp
Incomplete miscarriage - what is this? Is the cervical os open/closed?
Only some of the fetal parts have been passed
Os is open
Complete miscarriage - what is this? Describe the bleeding. Is the cervical os open/closed?
All foetal tissues have been passed
Bleeding has diminished/stopped
Os is closed
Missed miscarriage - what is this? When is this recognised? Is the cervical os open/closed? Describe the uterus.
Foetus has not developed or has died in utero
Only recognised later (when bleeding occurs or do ultrasound)
Closed
Uterus is smaller than the expected dates
Septic miscarriage - what is this? What may it progress to? What can be said about the uterus?
Contents of the uterus are infected causing endometritis Pelvic infection (causing abdo pain and peritonism) Tender uterus
How much does beta-HCG increase by in 48 hours in a viable pregnancy?
> 66%
What is the expectant management for miscarriage? (2)
Wait for resolution
Resuscitation and syntocinon/ergometrine
What is the medical management for miscarriage? (2)
Removal of foetal tissue (using prostaglandins)
Misoprostol
What is the surgical management for miscarriage? (3)
Curettage or surgical aspiration
Infection swabs and broad spectrum antibiotics
Anti-D to rhesus –ve women
What defines a recurrent miscarriage? How many % of couples does this affect?
Three or more consecutive miscarriages
1%
Infection e.g. bacterial vaginosis
Others e.g. obesity, smoking, high maternal age, drug abuse