Vaginal Bleeding and Complications During Pregnancy

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to vaginal bleeding and various complications during pregnancy, aimed at helping students prepare for exams.

Spontaneous Abortion

A pregnancy loss that occurs naturally before 20 weeks of gestation.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Implantation of a fertilized ovum outside of the uterine cavity, commonly in the fallopian tube.

Placenta Previa

A condition where the placenta abnormally implants in the lower segment of the uterus, causing vaginal bleeding.

Abruptio Placentae

Separation of the placenta from the uterine wall before the baby is born, which can lead to bleeding.

Vasa Previa

Fetal vessels implanted into the membranes instead of the placenta, leading to bleeding and risk of vessel rupture.

Hydatidiform Mole

A benign proliferative disease of trophoblastic cells leading to abnormal growth in the uterus.

Cervical Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

A surgical procedure used to remove tissue from the uterus.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

A procedure to terminate pregnancy involving dilation of the cervix and removal of uterine contents.

Prostaglandins

Hormones administered to induce contractions and aid in the expulsion of pregnancy products.

Oxytocin

A hormone administered to induce or augment labor and reduce postpartum bleeding.

Miscarriage

Commonly used lay term for spontaneous abortion, indicating pregnancy loss.

Benign Proliferative Growth

Refers to a non-cancerous increase in tissue, such as that seen in hydatidiform moles.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, leading to dehydration and weight loss.

Maternal Illness

Diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) that can affect pregnancy outcomes.

Rho(D) Immune Globulin

A medication used to prevent Rh immunization in Rh-negative individuals.

Recurrence of Premature Dilation of the Cervix

Condition where the cervix dilates too early in pregnancy without labor, risking pregnancy loss.

Amniotic Fluid Assessment

Evaluation of the amniotic fluid volume and characteristics to ensure fetal well-being.

Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Continuous assessment of the fetus's heart rate to detect any distress during labor.

Tocolytic Medication

Medications used to suppress premature labor by inhibiting uterine contractions.

Fetal Positioning

The orientation of the fetus in utero in relation to the mother's pelvis during labor.

Bishop Score

A scoring system for assessing the readiness of the cervix for labor.

Augmentation of Labor

The process of stimulating labor when it has started but progress is inadequate.