Vaginal Bleeding in Early Pregnancy
The patient is a 24-year-old G2, P1 approximately 14-week pregnant female who presents the ED with vaginal bleeding x1 hour. The patient states she began having sudden onset bright red blood passing through more than a pad in 2 hours but denies clots. She has associated lower abdominal pressure but no pain. No recent abdominal trauma. No history of similar symptoms. No lightheadedness or syncope. No dysuria. No nausea or vomiting. The patient has not established care with OB but has an upcoming appointment.
What is the diagnosis?
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Subchorionic hemorrhage
Important points:
It is present in 3% of pregnancies,
Increases the risk of fetal complications:
-spontaneous abortion (from 8.9% to 17.6%; OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.29–3.68)
-stillbirth (from 0.9% to 1.9%, pooled OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.20–3.67)
-abruption (from 0.7% to 3.6%, OR 5.71, 95% CI 3.91–8.33)
-preterm delivery (from 10.1% to 13.6%, OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.18–1.68)
-preterm premature rupture of membranes (from 2.3% to 3.8%, OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.22–2.21)
Criteria that are considered suggestive, but not diagnostic, of early pregnancy loss are:
-Slow fetal heart rate (less than 100 beats per minute at 5–7 weeks of gestation
-Subchorionic hemorrhage also have been shown to be associated with early pregnancy loss but should not be used to make a definitive diagnosis
Treatment: Further evaluation in 7–10 days, and pelvic but not “Bed Rest”