Syspath400 -- reproductive pathologies (4-3) Flashcards
class 4 – reproductive pathologies
Prenatal Pathologies
Gestational Tumors
Breast Pathologies
placenta previa
“Previa” is a combination of two words: “pre” (or “prae”) meaning before, and “via” meaning way. “Previa” in medicine, usually refers to anything obstructing the passage in childbirth. Literally therefore, vasa previa means “vessels in the way, before the baby”.
placenta previa is
Implantation of the placenta over or near cervix, in lower part of the uterus.
Placenta may completely or partially cover the opening of the cervix.
placenta previa – how common?
who is more affected?
Occurs in 1 of 200 deliveries,
usually in women who have had more than one pregnancy
or who have structural abnormalities of the uterus, such as fibroids.
common risk factor – placenta previa
Scars in the uterus are a common risk factor
placenta previa — incidence increasing or lowering?
Incidence increasing
possibly increased smoking/alcohol
and increased proportion of women giving birth at later age
placenta previa — bleeding
Placenta previa can cause painless bleeding from the vagina that suddenly begins late in pregnancy.
The blood may be bright red.
can placenta previa be life-threatening?
Bleeding may become profuse, endangering the life of the woman and the fetus
how is placenta previa identified?
Ultrasonography helps doctors identify placenta previa and distinguish it from a placenta that has detached prematurely.
what happens if profuse bleeding during placenta previa?
When bleeding is profuse, women may be hospitalized until delivery, especially if the placenta is located over the cervix.
Women who bleed profusely may need repeated blood transfusions.
what happens if there is not significant bleeding during placenta previa
When bleeding is slight and delivery is not imminent, doctors typically advise bed rest in the hospital.
If the bleeding stops and does not recur, women are usually sent home, provided that they can return to the hospital easily.
is vaginal birth common for placenta previa?
A caesarean section is almost always performed before labour begins.
what can happen when women with placenta previa go into labour?
If women with placenta previa go into labour, the placenta tends to become detached very early, depriving the baby of its oxygen supply.
—> The lack of oxygen may result in brain damage or other problems.
ABRUPTIO PLACENTAE
Aka placental abruption
placental abruption is
Placental abruption is the premature detachment of a normally positioned placenta from the wall of the uterus. The placenta may detach incompletely (sometimes just 10 to 20%) or completely.
placental abruption, cause
The cause is usually unknown.
see risk factors
placental abruption, risk factors
Tobacco use
Mother is younger than 20 or older than 35
Fibroids
Previous c-section
high BP
(including preeclampsia)
cocaine-use
how commonly does placental detachment occur
Detachment of the placenta occurs in up to 1% of all deliveries.
preeclampsia
Etymology. The word “eclampsia” is from the Greek term for lightning.
“perhaps alluding to how suddenly and unexpectedly convulsions may arise.”
____
a condition in pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, sometimes with fluid retention and proteinuria.
ABRUPTIO PLACENTAE – bleeding/hemorrhage
The uterus bleeds from the site where the placenta was attached.
The blood may pass through the cervix and out the vagina as an external hemorrhage,
or it may be trapped behind the placenta as a concealed hemorrhage.
placental abruption, SSx
Symptoms depend on the degree of detachment and the amount of blood lost (which may be massive).
Symptoms may include sudden continuous or crampy abdominal pain, tenderness when the abdomen is pressed, and shock.
complications of premature detachment (placental abruption)
can lead to widespread clotting inside the blood vessels (DIC),
kidney failure,
and bleeding into the walls of the uterus, esp. in women who also have preeclampsia.
kidney failure vs blood loss
“Heavy blood loss, an injury, or a bad infection called sepsis can reduce blood flow to the kidneys. Not enough fluid in the body (dehydration) also can harm the kidneys.”
what happens to fetus during placental abruption
When the placenta detaches, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus may be reduced.