Pregnancy-Related Complications

This set of flashcards covers key terminology and definitions related to pregnancy-related complications, providing a concise study guide for students preparing for an exam.

Preeclampsia

A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often after 20 weeks gestation.

HELLP Syndrome

A severe form of preeclampsia featuring hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets.

Placental Abruption

Separation of the placenta from the uterus before childbirth, which can cause bleeding and fetal distress.

Ectopic Pregnancy

A condition in which a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy leading to dehydration and weight loss.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

A serious condition involving abnormal blood clotting throughout the body's small blood vessels, which can lead to organ failure.

Abortion

The spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy; types include threatened, inevitable, incomplete, and complete.

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

A rare group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow inside a woman's uterus after conception, including complete and partial moles.

RH Incompatibility

A condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman with RH-negative blood forms antibodies against an RH-positive baby.

Placenta Previa

A condition where the placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment, potentially covering the cervical opening.

Hypovolemic Shock

A state of inadequate blood volume leading to insufficient oxygen delivery to the tissues, often due to severe bleeding.

Inevitable Abortion

A type of miscarriage marked by ruptured membranes and cervical dilation, leading to the loss of the fetus.

Incomplete Abortion

Type of miscarriage where some, but not all, of the products of conception are expelled from the uterus.

Magnesium Sulfate

A medication used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid heart rate, often an early sign of hypovolemic shock.

Complete Abortion

A type of miscarriage where all products of conception are expelled from the uterus.

Preeclampsia

A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often after 20 weeks gestation.

HELLP Syndrome

A severe form of preeclampsia featuring hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets.

Placental Abruption

Separation of the placenta from the uterus before childbirth, which can cause bleeding and fetal distress.

Ectopic Pregnancy

A condition in which a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy leading to dehydration and weight loss.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

A serious condition involving abnormal blood clotting throughout the body's small blood vessels, which can lead to organ failure.

Abortion

The spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy; types include threatened, inevitable, incomplete, and complete.

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

A rare group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow inside a woman's uterus after conception, including complete and partial moles.

RH Incompatibility

A condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman with RH-negative blood forms antibodies against an RH-positive baby.

Placenta Previa

A condition where the placenta is implanted in the lower uterine segment, potentially covering the cervical opening.

Hypovolemic Shock

A state of inadequate blood volume leading to insufficient oxygen delivery to the tissues, often due to severe bleeding.

Inevitable Abortion

A type of miscarriage marked by ruptured membranes and cervical dilation, leading to the loss of the fetus.

Incomplete Abortion

Type of miscarriage where some, but not all, of the products of conception are expelled from the uterus.

Magnesium Sulfate

A medication used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid heart rate, often an early sign of hypovolemic shock.

Complete Abortion

A type of miscarriage where all products of conception are expelled from the uterus.

Eclampsia

The onset of seizures in a woman with preeclampsia, representing a severe progression of the condition.

Threatened Abortion

Vaginal bleeding that occurs in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy without cervical dilation or passage of tissue.

Missed Abortion

A condition where the fetus has died but the products of conception are retained in the uterus for several weeks.

Calcium Gluconate

The specific antidote used to reverse magnesium sulfate toxicity.

Hydatidiform Mole

A type of gestational trophoblastic disease characterized by a non-viable, fertilized egg or an overgrowth of placental tissue.

Indirect Coombs Test

A blood test used to determine if an RH-negative mother has developed antibodies to RH-positive blood.

Cervical Insufficiency

Painless dilation of the cervix during the second trimester, often leading to preterm birth or pregnancy loss.

Kleihauer-Betke Test

A blood test used to measure the amount of fetal hemoglobin transferred into the maternal bloodstream.