Spontaneous Miscarriages (Abortion) Flashcards
(63 cards)
Refers to any interruption of a pregnancy before the age of viability which is usually 20 weeks gestation
Miscarriage / Abortion
Typer of miscarriages according to gestational age
1) Early miscarriage (1st trimester)
2) Late miscarriage (2nd trimester)
Refers to pregnancy loss before 13 completed weeks
Early miscarriage
Refers to pregnancy loss after 13 completed weeks but before 20 completed weeks.
Late miscarriage
Clinical types of miscarriage / abortion (based on symptoms & progression)
1) Treathened Abortion
2) Missed Abortion
3) Inevitable / Imminent Abortion
4) Incomplete Abortion
5) Complete Abortion
POC - products of conception
Can still be a viable fetus / POC not expelled
Threatened Miscarriage
Symptoms of a threatened miscarriage
1) scant, bright red bleeding
2) Cramping
3) No cervical dilation
4) Intact membranes
Threatened Miscarriage
Assessment procedures
1) P.E (physical exam)
2) FHT
3) UTZ
To assess fetal viability
Threatened Miscarriage
Management
1) Avoid strenuous physical activities
2) Bed rest is routinely recommended
3) Reduce stress
4) Strictly no coitus for 2 weeks
5) Follow-up with UTZ to monitor for fetal cardiac activity
6) RhIG (RhoGAM) for Rh-negative mothers at >12 weeks AOG
Threatened Miscarriage
Possible outcomes
- 50% women continue the pregnancy
- 50% of women changes progress to inevitable miscarriage
POC is not expelled, no FHT
Missed Miscarriage
Missed Miscarriage
Symptoms
- no immediate bleeding
- Not immediately recognized (missed)
- Closed cervix
- No FHT
Missed Miscarriage
Assessment
- No increase in fundal height
- Previously heard fetal heart sounds no longer audible
- Bleeding/cramping occurs later as the body tries to expel the POC
Missed Miscarriage
Procedures
- D&C or D&E: to evacuate POC
- If over 14 weeks AOG : Labor is produced by prostaglandin suppository or misoprostol administration
Missed Miscarriage
Drugs Given
1) Misoprostol - to cause cerival dilation +
2) Oxytocin - to cause uterine contractions to actively terminate pregnancy.
Missed Miscarriage
Nursing Interventions
1) Explain properly the term “Missed” as woman may be misled that if the pregnancy was missed, she can still continue with the pregnancy
2)Provide support in accepting the reality
3)Refer for counseling so they can begin a future pregnancy
Missed Miscarriage
Complication if allowed to expel POC naturally
Infection (endometritis, sepsis)
- RPOC whether fetal or placental can be a source of infection
- Necrotic tissues trigger inflammatory response which activates coagulation system to DIC
POC is not expelled, open cervix
Inevitable / Imminent Miscarriage
Inevitable / Imminent Miscarriage
Symptoms
- Scant, bright red vaginal bleeding
- Uterine contractions
- Cervical dilation
Inevitable / Imminent Miscarriage
Assessment procedures
Physical exam
- check for tissue fragments saved by the patient
- check for FHT to confirm
Inevitable / Imminent Miscarriage
Procedure
1) D&C or D&E : to ensure removal of all POC
2) Suction curettage : to clean the uterus
Inevitable / Imminent Miscarriage
Patient Education
Inform patient that:
- pregnancy was lost
- Suction & Curettage is done to clean the uterus & avoid infection not to end the pregnancy.
Some POC expelled but cervix is open
Incomplete Miscarriage
Incomplete Miscarriage
Symptoms
- Vaginal bleeding
- Uterine contractions
- Cervical dilation