Miscarriage (Spontaneous Abortion)
🚨 Symptoms
Vaginal bleeding (light to heavy), abdominal cramping/pain, passage of tissue/clots, loss of pregnancy symptoms, dilated cervix on examination
🔍 Causes
Chromosomal abnormalities (most common in first trimester), maternal age, uterine abnormalities, hormonal disorders, infections, thrombophilia, uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid disease, lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, drugs)
💊 Treatment
Expectant management (wait for natural passage), medical management (misoprostol) to complete miscarriage, surgical management (D&C – dilatation and curettage) for incomplete miscarriage or patient choice, anti-D immunoglobulin if Rh negative
📝 Nursing Care
Monitor bleeding and pain, assess for signs of infection (fever, foul discharge), administer medications as ordered, provide emotional support and grief counseling, educate on signs of complications, RhIg administration if indicated
Source: NHS Scotland. For educational purposes only.