Abortion in Nursing: Spontaneous, Induced, and Missed

I am going to explain the details of the different types of abortions and your role in caring for this patient.

So what is an abortion. Most think of someone being pregnant and not wanting to keep the pregnancy so they go to a clinic and have an abortion. Yes, this true but medically any pregnancy that ends before the fetus would be able to survive on its own outside of the womb is an abortion. Because of this they are labeled either as a spontaneous abortion or a miscarriage or elective which is either an abortion that is chosen by the patient because ether they do not want the pregnancy which could even be someone that does want a child but has learned that they are carrying a fetus that has genetic problems or one that won’t be compatible with life.

There are several types of abortions. There are spontaneous abortions and this is where body does it on its own. These are usually caused by genetic anomalies. That is important to know. Abortions can also be induced which means it is medically initiated. These are induced with medications like methotrexate, this is usually used for ectopic pregnancies because Methotrexate attacks the rapidly dividing cells which is what an embryo is. In this picture you can see the ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube. So this could be medically managed to save the fallopian tube.Other medications are prostaglandina (misoprostol-cytotec) and Methylergonovine (methergine)

With a threatened abortion there is spotting and cramping with NO cervical changes. It is just threatened but doesn’t occur, it is just a sign that there is a chance. Inevitable is spotting, cramping, dilation and effacement of cervix. It is inevitable, it is going to happen. Incomplete is where portions of embryo or fetus or placenta retained in the uterus but there is loss of some of the pregnancy. This is where surgical management will be needed to remove the retained pieces. Complete abortions is going to have bleeding present and cervical dilation. There will be loss of all tissue and conception products. If there is going to be an abortion this is the type we want to see because the body takes care of removing everything the way it should without complication. A missed abortion is where there is fetal or embryonic demise, but no outward signs of a loss. All products of conception will remain in the uterus and this will require either surgical intervention or medications to help the body release the products.

So what do we need to be assessing? We want to assess the vaginal spotting and see how much there is. Bleeding could signify something else going on. We also want to know if there has been any fluid or tissue loss so asking these questions and assessing will help. We need to assess what she is feeling is it pain or cramping or both? Is the cervix dilating? So looking at the cervical os and assessing. An ultrasound can be done to better visualize what is really going on. Do we have a fetal heart rate? Is it an ectopic pregnancy?
If any parts of the embryo/fetus are found to still be present we need to prepare for a D&C (dilation and curettage) to remove contents of pregnancy. As you see in this image dilation is done mechanically and then products are removed. This has to be done because if the body is not passing the conception products on it’s own then there is a risk of infection. These patients are usually bleeding because the body is trying so hard to shed the products so we evaluate blood loss and if it is too much then we can address that. Counting perineal pads is a good way to assess the loss. We also must, must must, check the blood type of the mom and give RhoGAM if she is Rh-negative.
Reproduction is a concept because abortion deals with reproduction. Comfort because we need to keep her comfortable during procedures and post procedure and grief and loss is a big one because it is a huge loss to a family and they are going to be going through a hard time after.
Abortions can be elective/therapeutic and this is a choice, whether a pregnancy they do not want or therapeutic because of a choice made from something found through testing. Spontaneous (miscarriages) are another type, which most of the time are caused by genetic abnormalities. The body causes it and it just happens. Bleeding needs to be monitored. And remember an incomplete abortion needs surgical intervention.

Make sure you check out the resources attached to this lesson and review the different types of abortions with considerations to if there is tissue loss and if the cervix opens. Now, go out and be your best selves today. And, as always, happy nursing.