Abortions and ectopic pregnancy

Spontaneous abortion

Assessment and common findings

Causes

Risk factors

Types

Definition

Medical management

Nursing management

Spontaneous abortion is non induced embryonic or fetal death or passage of products of conception before 20 weeks of gestation

Cigarette smoking

High dose of cocaine

use of drugs such as cocaine and alcohol

History of spontaneous abortion

Age above 35

Severe cramps

Back pain

Bleeding that progress from light to heavy

Pyrexial

maternal caues

fetal cause

All tissues passed vaginally is saved for examination after spontaneous abortion. If patient is having heavy bleeding blood transfusion. In case of incomplete abortion oxytocin may be prescribed to cause uterine contractions before dilatation and evacuation or uterine suctioning.

An incompetent cervix

Acute maternal infections such as rubella and chlamydia

Hormonal imbalances

fetal abnormalities

Multiply pregnancy

Maternal chronic illness

Monitor vital signs 4 hourly or as frequently as necessary to exclude fluid deficit

Monitor and record uterine contractions

Nurse patient in a comfortable position on bed rest

Quater hourly pad check inspection and record result

Provide emotional support as the patient experience loss and anxiety

on palpation the fundus may be above symphysis pubis

Induced abortion

Definiction

Assessment and common findings

Types

Nursing management

Medical manageent

Induced abortion is a deliberate termination of pregnancy. It is usually done by medical persons. This type of abortion is also called artificial or therapeutic abortion

patient test must be done to confirm pregnancy

Full blood count must be done to exclude infection

Other screening test should be done for for STI in and tubes order to prevent introduction of infection into the uterus

Labour induction

mifepristone

Dilation and evacuation

methotraxate

Nurse should provide information about what the procedure entails to do.Th patients is scheduled for a follow up appointment 2 weeks after the procedure. The patients should be taught about signs and symptoms of complication such as fever, heavy bleeding or pain.

Pre- operative care

Vital signs should be monitored

Before discharge contraceptive method should be discussed and advised patient on appropriate method

maintain good personal hygiene

Pelvic examination is performed to determine uterine size.Laboratory studies before an abortion must include pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy, haematocrit to rule out anemia,Rh determination and STD screen. Patient with anemia may require iron supplement and an Rh negative may require RhoGAM to prevent isommunization.

Vacuum aspiration

misoprostol

Health education

Teach patient about signs and symptoms of complication such as Fever, heavy bleeding and pain also advice patient on practicing safe sex and advise on doing follow up.

Ectopic pregnancy

Causes

Assessment and common finding

Risk factors

pathophysiology

Definition

Medical management

Nursing management

Health education

Ectopic pregnancy is a condition where by a fertilised ovum becomes implanted implanted on any tissues other than the uterine lining for example in the Fallopian tube, ovary,abdomen or cervix. Most common is ectopic implantation is fallopian tubes

Risk factors

Pelvic inflammatory disease

undergoing fertility treatment or using fertility medication

Previous pelvic or abdominal surgery

conceiving after having tubal lagation

History of STD such as gonorrhea and chiamydia

Abnormal growth or a birth defect can result in a abnormal in the tube shape

Previous surgery in pelvic area or on the tubes can cause adhesion

Severe pain that occur on one side of the abdomen

Frequency in micturition

Sharp waves of pain in the abdomen, pelvis shoulders or neck

Abdomen may be distended and tender with guarding

Blood pressure suddenly drops

Skin is cold and clammy, woman complain of dizziness and nausea.

There is history of amenorrhoea for 6 weeks , lower abdominal pain by vaginal spotting that may proceed to frank bleeding

The fertilised ovum fails to reach the uterine cavity and become implanted in the fallopian tubes or pelvic cavity or misses the uterine cavity and become implanted in the cervix though it is very rare

Pain management by administering prescribed analgesia,administer intravenous fluids for patient presenting with shock and blood transfusion pre-operatively

Surgical management

Monitor vital signs

Administer medication as prescribed

Nurse patient in a comfortable position

Observe for any bleeding

Ensure that the bladder is draining by inserting the catheter

Laparotomy will be done to remove blood that may be free in the peritoneal cavity and repair any ruptured or tear in the fallopian tubes. where bleeding is profuse and uncontrollable, a hysterectomy may be performed.

ensure adequate intake of fluids

Advise patient to have enough rest, avoid doing heavy activities. Encourage patient to do follow up and to take prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.

Threatened abortion vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain of any degree represent as threatened abortion

Incomplete abortionn vaginal bleeding may be tense and accompanied by abdominal pain

Inevitable abortion vaginal bleeding is accompanied by dilatation of cervical canal

Complete abortion patient may present with history of bleeding, abdominal pain and tissue passage by the time the miscarriage is complete bleeding and pain usually have subside

Health education

Septic abortion is an infection of the placenta and the fetus of a previable pregnancy.

Advise patient to take shower instead of tub bats.This help prevent infection.

Patient should avoid using tampons

Seek medical attention if you experience pyrexia, have lower abdominal pain or have a red vaginal bleeding or offensive discharge.