DEFINITION OF

ABORTION
Termination of pregnancy by any means
before the fetus is sufficiently developed to
survive
Termination of pregnancy before 20 weeks
gestation based upon the date of the first
day of the last normal menses (LMP).
The delivery of a fetus-neonate that weights
less than 500 g.
TYPES OF ABORTION
Spontaneous Abortion
Complete
Incomplete
Induced Abortion (Illegal in the Phil.)
Therapeutic Abortion
Elective (Voluntary) Abortion
Recurrent or Habitual Abortion
Missed Abortion
Threatened Abortion
Inevitable Abortion
Incomplete Abortion
Missed Abortion
CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS
ABORTION
Fetal Factors Abnormal development
of:
Zygote
Embryo
Early Fetus
Placenta
DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES
Stage 1 Fertilization a Zygote

DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES
Stage 2 (Days 2-3) 2 cell amorula
DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES
Stage 3 (Day 4 5) Free Blastocyst
DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES
Stage 4 (Days 5-6) Implantation of Blastocyst
Phases of Development
Ovulation
Fertilization of ovum (Zygote)
Formation of free blastocyst -1
st
wk
Implantation of the blastocyst end of 1
st

wk
Embryo 3
rd
wk after fertilization
Fetus 8 wks after fertilization or 10 wks
after onset of the last menstrual period.
CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS
ABORTION
Maternal Factors:
Infection
Hypothyroidism
Diabetes Mellitus (Uncontrolled)
Progesterone Deficiency
Severe Malnutrition
Smoking 2X greater risk who smoke
>14 cigarettes/day

CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS
ABORTION
Alcohol 2X greater in women who drink
2X a week, 3X greater in women who
drink daily.
Caffeine - > 4 cups per day
Radiation minimum lethal dose on the
day of implantation is about 5 rads


CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS
ABORTION
Environmental Toxins:
Anesthetic gases
Arsenic
Lead
Formaldehyde
Benzene
Ethylene oxide
Autoimmune Diseases antiphospholipid
antibodies
CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS
ABORTION
Physical Trauma Most spontaneous
abortions occur some time after death
of the embryo or fetus. If abortion
were caused by trauma, it would not
be a recent accident but an event that
had occurred some weeks before the
trauma.
CAUSES OF SPONTANEOUS
ABORTION
Uterine Defects:
Acquired:
Myomas
Intrauterine adhesions
Developmental uterine defects eg.
Unicornuate uterus
Incompetent Cervix

Therapeutic Abortion
Definition The termination of
pregnancy before the time of fetal
viability for the purpose of
safeguarding the health of the mother
or if pregnancy was likely to result in
the birth of an infant with grave
malformations.
The American College of
Obstetricians & Gynecologists
Guidelines for Therapeutic Abortion
1. When continuation of pregnancy may
threaten the life of the woman or seriously
impair her health.
2. When pregnancy has resulted from rape
or incest
3. When continuation of pregnancy is likely
to result in the birth of a child with severe
physical deformities or mental retardation.
Elective Abortion
Definition the interruption of
pregnancy before viability at the
request of the woman but not for
reasons of impaired maternal health or
fetal disease.
Septic Abortion
Abortion accompanied by infection.
Usually caused by criminal or illegal
abortion (an abortion performed by
someone not qualified to do the
procedure)

Symptoms of Abortion
Vaginal bleeding
Abdominal pain maybe accompanied
by low back pain.

If you are pregnant & have
these symptoms
immediately seek
consultation with your
Obstetrician!
THANK YOU!

&

GOOD DAY!