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Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing - The Carter Center

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<strong>The</strong> membranes may have ruptured <strong>and</strong> amniotic fluid will be<br />

seen. Alternatively the fetal sac <strong>and</strong> its contents, <strong>and</strong> possibly<br />

the placenta, will protrude through the dilating cervical as.<br />

Bleeding <strong>and</strong> uterine contractions will continue <strong>and</strong> all or part<br />

of the conceptus will be expelled vaginally.<br />

I. Complete abortion<br />

A complete abortion is more likely to occur prior to the 8 th<br />

week of pregnancy <strong>and</strong> constitutes the expulsion of the<br />

embryo, placenta <strong>and</strong> intact membranes.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is relief from pain <strong>and</strong> the bleeding usually stops.<br />

II. Incomplete Abortion<br />

When the products of conception are only partially evacuated<br />

during abortion, the abortion is incomplete. This usually<br />

occurs in the second trimester.<br />

Bleeding is profuse but the abdominal pain <strong>and</strong> back ache<br />

may cease.<br />

<strong>The</strong> cervix will be soft <strong>and</strong> purplish in color <strong>and</strong> will be partly<br />

closed.<br />

Prolonged retention of the tissues predisposes the woman to<br />

infection <strong>and</strong> immediate medical intervention is needed.<br />

285

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