Spontaneous Abortion

Subject: Midwifery I (Theory)

Overview

Miscarriage is the involuntary loss of a pregnancy product prior to fetal viability, which occurs between 22 and 24 weeks of gestation. It can be caused by maternal, fetal, or genetic factors. The symptoms of spontaneous abortion appear to be vaginal bleeding, intermittent discomfort, and os dilatation.

Spontaneous abortion is described as the involuntary termination of a pregnancy before the fetal viability stage, which occurs between 22 and 24 weeks of gestation. Miscarriage is another term for it.

Incidence

Approximately 20% of all pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion, and approximately 80% of these occur within the first 2-3 months of gestation.

Etiology

Fetal cause

  • Decreased or maldeveloped defects in the fertilized ovum
  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Multiple congenital defects
  • Hydropic degeneration of villi, hydatidiform mole

Maternal cause

  • Severe hypoxia
  • Maternal distress
  • Acute infections- toxins and high temperature, malaria
  • Defective diet, especially deficient in proteins and vitamins
  • Several mental distress
  • Fibroid uterus
  • Local trauma
  • Incomplete cervix especially due to past birth trauma
  • Retroversion

Genetic

  • Autosomal trisomy
  • Monosomy
  • Structural chromosomal rearrangement
  • Infection like rubella, variola, brucella, malaria
  • Immunological disorders
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Alloimmune disease
  • Blood grouping incompatibility
  • Premature rupture of membrane
  • Infections

 Signs and Symptoms

  1. Early pregnancy vaginal bleeding
  2. Pain in the lower abdomen that comes and goes
  3. When abortion is unavoidable, the OS dilates.

References

  • HealthLine. 2005. 2017 http://www.healthline.com/health/miscarriage
  • Mayo Clinic. 1998. 20 July 2016 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/home/ovc-20213664
  • MedicineNet. 1996. 2017 http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=17774
  • Medline Plus. 05 January 2017 https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001488.htm
  • Tuitui R. 2002, A textbook of Midwifery A (Antenatal), 3rd edition, Vidyarthi Pustak Bhandari (Publisher and Distributor), Bhotahity, Kathmandu
Things to remember
  • The unintentional loss of a conceived product before fetal viability occurs between 22 and 24 weeks of gestation.
  • Miscarriage is another term for it.
Videos for Spontaneous Abortion
spontaneous abortion
Questions and Answers

The involuntary termination of the conceived organism prior to fetal viability, or before 22–24 weeks of gestation, is known as a spontaneous abortion. It also goes by the name "miscarriage."

Spontaneous Abortion

Spontaneous abortion is defined as the involuntary loss of product of conception before fetal viability prior to 22-24weeks of gestation. It is also known as miscarriage.

Incidence

Approximately 20% of all pregnancy terminated in spontaneous abortion and about 80% of these occur within 2-3 month of gestation.

Etiology

  • Fetal cause
    • Decreased or maldeveloped or defects in fertilized ovum,
    • Multiple pregnancies,
    • Multiple congenital defects,
    • Hydropic degeneration of villi, hydatidiform mole.
  • Maternal cause
    • Severe hypoxia,
    • Maternal distress,
    • Acute infections- toxins and high temperature, malaria,
    • Defective diet, especially deficient in proteins and vitamins,
    • Several mental distress,
    • Fibroid uterus,
    • Local trauma,
    • Incomplete cervix especially due to past birth trauma,
    • Retroversion.
  • Genetic
    • Autosomal trisomy.
    • Monosomy.
  • Structural chromosomal rearrangement
    • Infection like rubella, variola, brucella, malaria,
    • Immunological disorders,
    • Autoimmune disease,
    • Alloimmune disease,
    • Blood grouping incompatibility,
    • Premature rupture of membrane.
  • Infections

Signs and Symptoms

  • Vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy,
  • Intermitted pain in the lower abdomen,
  • Dilatation of the OS when abortion is inevitable.

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