Journal Article: Signs and symptoms associated with early pregnancy loss: findings from a population-based preconception cohort
OBGYN Journal 1
Reasoning:
- Educate patient about signs and symptoms of early pregnancy loss, which was a concern of hers
- Patient had previous history of abortions, which puts her at an increased risk of developing ectopic pregnancy
- Patient education is important, especially with ectopic pregnancy, which could have complications
Purpose:
- To determine the relationship between s/sx of early pregnancy and pregnancy loss of less than 20 weeks gestation
Methods:
- Population based prospective cohort of 347 women were followed daily from 2 to 7 weeks post-conception
- Women recorded signs and symptoms daily in the same time frame, including:
- Vaginal bleeding: none, spotting, light, moderate, heavy
- Lower abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Key Points:
- Women experienced lower abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy, most commonly nausea/vomiting
- Cramping pain also common, occurred in 85% of participants and is not associated with pregnancy loss, rather vaginal bleeding is associated with higher loss rates
- 28% of women experienced loss of pregnancy
- Incidence of pregnancy loss was increased in women with vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal cramping
- Incidence of pregnancy loss was decreased in women with vomiting
- If a woman had vaginal bleeding with lower abdominal cramping, vomiting reduced the incidence of pregnancy loss