Pregnancy

Last updated: Friday, 24, December, 2010
ComplicationsAppropriate Tests

Human chorionic gonadotrophin. For fetal disorders, see Neonatal screening and specific inherited disorders.

Antenatal screening

See Antenatal screening

Threatened miscarriage 

Sequential human chorionic gonadotrophin is rarely helpful.

Abortion

Ectopic pregnancy

Gestational trophoblastic disease

  • Hydatidiform mole
  • Partial mole
  • Choriocarcinoma

Urinary tract infection, including 

  • Asymptomatic bacteriuria

Urine microscopy and culture at first antenatal visit. Urinary tract infection (including asymptomatic bacteriuria) may be associated with premature delivery.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (toxaemia) 

Urate -plasma or serum; protein -urine.

Gestational diabetes mellitus 

Glucose challenge test.

See also Diabetes mellitus and Antenatal screening

Anaemia, especially

  • Dilutional

The "physiological" anaemia of pregnancy.

Liver disease, especially

  • Acute fatty liver

See under Hepatic failure

Venous thrombosis 

See under Thrombosis

Peripartum bleeding 

If an underlying acquired bleeding disorder is suspected: FBC, blood film, platelet count; APTT, PT, thrombin time, fibrinogen; fibrin degradation products.

See also Bleeding disorders

DIC, causes include

  • Severe pregnancy-induced hypertension
  • Placental abruption
  • Septic abortion
  • Retained dead fetus
  • Amniotic fluid embolism

Fibrinolysis (primary)

Amniotic fluid embolism

Hepatic failure

Factor VIII inhibitor 

A rare complication, developing within 3 months post-partum: APTT, PT; coagulation factor inhibitors. Consult pathologist.