7. Spontaneous Abortion
Causes
Endocrine Abnormalities
Poor development of the corpus luteum
Inadequate secretory endometrium
Low serum progesterone levels
Uterine Abnormalities
Structural abnormalities implicated in 15% of early pregnancy losses e.g.
Double uterus
Unicornuate, bicornuate, septate or subseptate uterus
Failure of uterus to develop to adult size, remaining infantile
8. Spontaneous Abortion
Causes
Retroversion of the Uterus
Does not itself cause abortion
As uterus fails to enlarge into abdomen, vaginal and abdominal manipulation to
correct the retroversion causes abortion
Cervical Weakness
Caused by laceration of cervix or undue stretching of internal os as a result of
previous medical abortion or childbirth
Membranes bulge through cervical canal and rupture
Characterised by recurrent late pregnancy losses
9. Spontaneous Abortion
Causes
Environmental Factors
Environment teratogens such as lead and radiation
Ingested teratogenetic substances such as drugs (namely
cocaine) and alcohol
Smoking
Maternal Age
Women in late 30’s and older at higher risk, irrespective of
previous obstetric history
10. Spontaneous Abortion
Causes
Stress and Anxiety
Severe emotional upset may disrupt hypothalmic and pituitary functions
Paternal Factors
Poor sperm quality
Source of chromosomal abnormalities
Immunologocial Factors
Maternal lymphocytes with natural killer cell activity may affect
trophoblast development
Autoimmune diseases such as antiphospholipid syndrome
11. Spontaneous Abortion
Threatened Miscarriage
Signs and Symptoms
Pain: Variable, possibly slight lower
abdominal pain or backache
Bleeding: Scant, during first 3 months
Cervical Os: Closed, no dilation
Uterus: If palpable, soft and not tender
18. Spontaneous Abortion
Complete Miscarriage
Signs and Symptoms
Pain: Diminishing or absent
Bleeding: Minimal or absent
Cervical Os: Closed
Uterus: If palpable, firm and contracted
19.
20. Spontaneous Abortion
Missed Miscarriage
Signs and Symptoms
Pain: Absent
Bleeding: Some spotting possible, brown loss
Cervical Os: Closed
Uterus: If palpable, smaller than expected
24. Spontaneous Abortion
Septic Miscarriage
Signs and Symptoms
Pain: Severe or variable
Bleeding: Variable, may be offensive
Cervical Os: Open
Uterus: Bulky, tender and painful on
examination