Wk 1: Bleeding in early pregnancy, vaginal bleeding + pre-term labour Flashcards
(128 cards)
Define early pregnancy bleeding
= bleeding prior to 20 weeks gestation
What are some causes of bleeding in early pregnancy?
- endometrial implantation aka ‘implantation bleed’
- miscarriage/spontaneous abortion
- may be incomplete and have massive haemorrhage risk - ectopic pregnancy rupture
- cervical or vaginal lesions
- uterine infection
- Hydatidiform mole
- infection
- Subchorionic haemorrhage/intrauterine haematoma
- gestational trophoblastic disease (Molar pregnancy)
- cervical shock (bradycardia and hypotension from cervical stimulation or presence of products of conception in cervix during miscarriage)
What investigations may be carried out on a women with early pregnancy bleeding and why?
- ultrasound
- if >6wks to see heartbeat and diagnose misscarriage
- assess gestation
- to confirm location of pregnancy and rule out ectopic - ultrasound at <6 wks may help with locating pregnancy
- internal pelvic ultrasound
- determine size of uterus and look for signs of bleeding - Blood hCG test
- if lower then expected may mean the women is at an earlier gestation or the pregnancy is not progressing as normal.
- usually repeated after 2 days
- if rising slowly may be the pregnancy is miscarrying or ectopic
- if falling, may mean pregannacy is sending and will miscarry
- Kleihauer may be used +/- anti D if neg blood group also to see if placenal abruption or other issues that may cause fetal blood cells to enter maternal circulation are the cause.
What are key things to investigate when a pt has bleeding early in pregnancy?
- Parity and previous history
- Gestational age when bleeding occurred
- Volume of blood loss
- Recent intercourse
Expain the pathophysiology of implantation bleeding
= Occurs when trophoblast erodes endometrial epithelium and blastocyst implants.
*signifiacnt when determining expected due date (EDD)/agreed due date (ADD)
What are some characteristics of implantation bleeding?
- occurs around the time of expected menstruation
- light blood loss - a few drops
- V + V
- light cramps
- 1-2 days duration
- light pink to brown colour
Define miscarriage
= a spontaneous pregnancy loss before the fetus reaches viability that is, prior to the 20 weeks of gestation completion.
Define early pregnancy loss
= occurs prior to the 12 weeks of gestation completion
*75-80% of miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy
What is the most common cause of misscarriage?
Major genetic factors
- parental chromosomal rearrangement
- embryonic chromosomal abnormalities
What are some factors that may contribute to pregnancy loss
- Maternal age
- Number of previous miscarriages/reproductive history
- Anti-phospholipid syndrome - most important and treatable cause for miscarriage
- Uterine malformations
- Cervical weakness/incompetence
- Endocrine disorders - diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease there is an association but if well controlled and treated are not risk factors
- Any severe infection in the woman that causes bacteraemia/viraemia is linked to miscarriage [TORCH infections appear not to be linked to this risk]
- Inherited thrombophilic defects e.g. Factor V Leiden mutation
- Smoking
- Alcoholic drinks > 3 in a week
- Chorionic villi sampling or amniocentesis
- Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence
Define complete miscarriage and how does it present?
= complete expulsion of the products of conception of an intrauterine pregnancy
- presents with bleeding
Define threatened miscarriage
= any vaginal bleeding (other than spotting) with or without abdominal pain prior to 20 weeks’ completed gestation, the cervix is closed and the fetus is viable with cardiac ativity within the uterus.
What does a threatened miscarriage place the mother at increased risk of?
- antepartum haemorrhage
- pre labour rupture of membranes
- preterm birth
- intrauterine growth restriction
How is a threatened miscarriage managed?
- u/s= most reliable confirmation of confirming viability
- support for women and family
- Rh negative women should receive 250 IU anti-D with consent in1st trimester and 625 IU if beyond the 1st trimester
- if PV bleeding worsens or persists beyond 14 days-> seek further advice from a health professional, however, if the bleeding stops, continue/commence antenatal care.
Define inevitable miscarriage and how does it present?
= passage of the products of the conception of an non-viable intrauterine pregnancy occurring or expected to occur soon.
- presents as heavy bleeding, clots, pain and the cervical os is open.
- cramping and bleeding present
- rupture of membranes can occur
- dilated cervical os
- products of conception may be seen or felt at or above cervical os
Define an incomplete miscarriage and how does it present?
= partially expelled products of conception of a non viable intrauterine pregnancy.
- vaginal bleeding and cramping present
- cervical os is dilated
Define missed miscarriage and how does it present?
= an empty intrauterine gestational sac with no fetal heart or cardiac activity present diagnosed on ultrasound
- no vaginal bleeding to persistent dark brown discharge
- non-viable fetus retained.
- closed cervical os
When is a woman considered to be having recurrent miscarriage?
= after 3 or more consecutive pregnancies
Define a septic miscarriage
= expulsion of the products of conception of an intrauterine pregnancy complicated by infection.
Explain the assessment of a women with early pregnancy bleeding
*spiritual and cultural preferences
*support both physically and psychologically
- a medical and reproductive history
- is the woman haemodynamically stable or not?
- degree of pain
- amount of bleeding
- gestational age of the pregnancy, if known
- abdominal examination looking for any areas of tenderness, guarding or rigidity and/or signs of distension
- speculum examination to assess location and amount of bleeding
- Bimanual examination may be performed to assess uterine size, pelvic tenderness, cervical dilatation
What investigations may be needed for a women with early pregnancy bleeding?
- Ultrasound assessment (abdominal and transvaginal) to determine location and viability of the fetus, if pain and /or bleeding are not severe
- Serum hCG level measurements
- Blood group and antibody testing to determine need for Rh D immunoglobulin and potential transfusion
What are some management options for early pregnancy bleeding?
- Appropriate referral
- Expectant
- Medical
- Surgical
When might a urine pregnancy test be carried out?
- all women who present with ABDOMINAL PAIN, VAGINAL BLEEDING OR SUDDEN ONSET GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS OF CHILD BEARING AGE (as it may indicate their symptoms)
- may also assist to exclude ectopic pregnancy
Define an ectopic pregnancy and where are possible locations for implantation?
= pregnancy occurs when a fertilized ovum implants outside of the uterine cavity.