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Threatened Abortion

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(Threatened Miscarriage; Threatened Pregnancy Loss)

Definition

Threatened abortion is a diagnosis that is made during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding could suggest an increased risk of miscarriage .
Fetus in First Trimester
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Causes

Early-pregnancy bleeding can originate from the uterus, cervix, vagina, or the external genital area.
In many cases, the cause of the bleeding is due to a minor condition that requires no treatment. But if you have any vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy, especially if you also have abdominal pain, you should contact your doctor.
Possible causes of bleeding include:
  • Implantation of the embryo
  • Infection
  • Irritation (eg, after intercourse)
  • Miscarriage
  • Ectopic pregnancy (the baby develops outside of the uterus)
  • Molar pregnancy (rare growth inside the uterus)

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase the risk of threatened abortion include:
  • Infection
  • Trauma
  • Certain medicines
  • Advanced maternal age

Symptoms

The main symptom is bleeding during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Bleeding may be light or heavy. You may also have abdominal cramping.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests that may be done include:

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Many cases of threatened abortion require no treatment at all. In other cases, treatment options include:

Bed Rest

If you are bleeding heavily, your doctor may recommend bed rest. This has not shown to be beneficial, though. Your doctor may also want you to limit your activities.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe progesterone . This is a female hormone that supports a pregnancy.
If your blood is Rh-negative and your partner's blood is Rh-positive, your doctor will give you an injection of Rho immune globulin. This will prevent your body from producing antibodies against your fetus' blood.
If you are diagnosed with a threatened abortion, follow your doctor's instructions .

Prevention

While there is no clear way to prevent threatened abortion, you can take these steps to have a healthy pregnancy:
  • Get regular prenatal care.
  • Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs.
  • Limit caffeine intake.
  • Control any long-term conditions that you may have (eg, diabetes, thyroid disorder).
  • Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine. Some medicines can be harmful to your baby.
  • Avoid contact with toxins.

RESOURCES

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists http://www.acog.org/

American Pregnancy Association http://www.americanpregnancy.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Association of Pregnancy Support Services http://www.capss.com/

Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index%5Fe.html/

References

Bleeding during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq038.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120814T1300076311 . Accessed August 14, 2012.

Bleeding during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/bleedingduringpreg.html . Updated October 2008. Accessed August 14, 2012.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: Andrea Chisholm
  • Review Date: 09/2012 -
  • Update Date: 00/91/2012 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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