Miscarriage

Question 1

What are the features of a threatened miscarriage & is the OS open or closed?

Answer 1

• Painless vaginal bleeding occurring before 24 weeks, but typically occurs at 6 - 9 weeks
• The bleeding is often less than menstruation
• Cervical os is closed

Question 2

What are the features of a missed (delayed) miscarriage & is the OS open or closed?

Answer 2

• A gestational sac which contains a dead fetus before 20 weeks without the symptoms of expulsion
• Mother may have light vaginal bleeding / discharge and the symptoms of pregnancy which disappear.
• Usually Painless
• Cervical os is closed
• When the gestational sac is > 25 mm and no embryonic/fetal part can be seen it is sometimes described as a ‘blighted ovum’ or ‘anembryonic pregnancy’

Question 3

What are the features of an inevitable miscarriage & is the OS open or closed?

Answer 3

• Heavy bleeding with clots and pain
• Cervical os is open.

Question 4

What are the features of an incomplete miscarriage & is the OS open or closed?

Answer 4

• Not all products of conception have been expelled
• Pain and vaginal bleeding
• Cervical os is open

Question 5

What is the definition of recurrent miscarriage?

Answer 5

3 or more consecutive spontaneous abortions.

Question 6

What percentage of women get recurrent miscarriages?

Answer 6

1%

Question 7

What are the causes of recurrent miscarriage?

Answer 7

• Antiphospholipid syndrome
• Endocrine disorders:
  
  • Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus/thyroid disorders.
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Uterine abnormality: e.g. uterine septum
• Parental chromosomal abnormalities
• Smoking