14.14 Pathology of Pregnancy and Childbirth

abortion

the interruption or termination of pregnancy before the fetus is viable

ectopic pregnancy

also known as an extrauterine pregnancy, is a potentially dangerous condition in which a fertilized egg is implanted and begins to develop outside of the uterus

gestational diabetes mellitus

a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy

infertility

the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after 1 year of regular, unprotected intercourse, or the inability of a woman to carry a pregnancy to a live birth

preeclampsia

also known as pregnancy-induced hypertension, is a complication of pregnancy characterized by hypertension (high blood pressure), edema (swelling), and proteinuria (an abnormally high level of protein in the urine)

eclampsia

• which is a more serious form of preeclampsia, is characterized by convulsions and sometimes coma

• treatment for this condition includes the delivery of the fetus

HELLP syndrome

• a life-threatening pregnancy complication characterized by hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count

• it occurs in 10–20% of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia and can occur during the third trimester of pregnancy or after delivery

• treatment includes delivery of the fetus and careful monitoring to prevent serious maternal complications including hemorrhage and death

Rh factor

• defines the presence or absence of the Rh antigen on red blood cells

• can cause difficulties when an Rh negative (Rh–) mother is pregnant with an Rh positive (Rh+) baby

• if a small amount of the baby’s blood enters the mother’s bloodstream, she can develop antibodies in an allergic response

abruptio placentae

• also known as placental abruption, is a disorder in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before the birth of the fetus

• this condition is a leading cause of fetal death

breech presentation

occurs when the buttocks or feet of the fetus are positioned to enter the birth canal first instead of the head

placenta previa

• the abnormal implantation of the placenta in the lower portion of the uterus

• symptoms include painless, sudden-onset bleeding during the third trimester

premature infant

also known as a preemie, is a fetus born before the 37th week of gestation

stillbirth

the birth of a fetus that died before or during delivery

postpartum depression

• a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness and the loss of pleasure in normal activities that can occur shortly after giving birth

• one cause of this depression is the rapid change in the hormone levels that occurs after giving birth