2. Definition
Abortion is the termination of pregnancy by any means,
resulting in expulsion of an immature nonviable foetus of
less than 20 weeks and weight less than 500g
Abortion can be early or late depending on gestation, early
up to 12 weeks gestation and late between 13-28 weeks
gestation.
4. Missed abortion : A type of early pregnancy loss in which
the dead embryo or fetus is retained in the womb for a
period of time, during which the usual symptoms of
miscarriage may not occur.
5. A septic abortion "is an infection of the placenta and fetus
(products of conception) of a previable pregnancy. Infection
is centered in the placenta and there is risk of spreading to
the uterus, causing pelvic infection or becoming systemic to
cause sepsis and potential damage of distant vital organs
6. A threatened abortion is vaginal bleeding that occurs in the
first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The bleeding is sometimes
accompanied by abdominal cramps. These symptoms
indicate that a miscarriage is possible, which is why the
condition is known as a threatened abortion or threatened
miscarriage
7. Complete abortion
Definition: is when all the contents are expelled
It is called complete abortion
Incomplete abortion
Definition: when the entire products of conception are not
expelled, instead a part of it is left inside the uterine cavity, it is
is called incomplete abortion.
8. criminal abortion termination of pregnancy by illegal
interference, usually undertaken when legal induced
abortion is unavailable. The most frequent complications
are severe hemorrhage and sepsis, and for those who delay
seeking medical attention the mortality rate is high.
9. inevitable abortion a condition in which vaginal bleeding
has been profuse, membranes usually show gross rupturing,
the cervix has become dilated, and abortion is almost
certain.
10. Complications of abortion
Haemorrhage
Septicaemia
Bacteraemia shock with rigors, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhoea, hypotension, confusion, delirium and
coma
Renal failure
Secondary
infertility
Death
11. Management of a woman with
abortion
General management of abortion
The woman with abortion must be admitted to
gynaecological ward for close observation and treatment
History taking to obtain possible aetiological factors
together with details of bleeding, pain and products of
conception expelled
Perform a full physical examination
12. General management of abortion cont’
Check and record vital signs i.e. temperature, pulse,
respiration and blood pressure
Observe aseptic technique when performing vaginal
examinations
Provide pads to observe severity of blood loss
13. General management of abortion cont’
Put up intravenous fluids if the woman is bleeding severely
i.e. normal saline, ringers lactate
If necessary Check Hb, grouping and cross matching and
arrange for blood donor
Give antibiotics to treat infection in case of septic abortion
14. General management of abortion cont’
MVA is the method of choice for the
management of incomplete or inevitable
abortion for gestation of 14 weeks or less,
because it has fewer complications
compared to curettage.
