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The conservative management of early pregnancy complications: a review of the literature
Author(s) -
Condous G.,
Okaro E.,
Bourne T.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.236
Subject(s) - medicine , miscarriage , pregnancy , conservative management , human chorionic gonadotropin , obstetrics , ectopic pregnancy , expectant management , early pregnancy factor , gynecology , conservative treatment , gonadotropin , gestation , surgery , genetics , hormone , biology
Early pregnancy complications include miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies, adnexal masses and pregnancies of unknown location. In this review, we evaluate the role of conservative management in these complications. We also evaluate the role of transvaginal sonography for diagnosis, treatment and follow up. When managing women with early pregnancy complications, it is important to recognise the normal sonographic milestones in the first trimester. Understanding the pattern of serum human chorionic gonadotropin change in early normal pregnancy and the correlation between low serum progesterone levels and the spontaneous resolution of a pregnancy are also important concepts. Guidelines for assessing suitability for conservative management should be strictly governed by evidence based protocols. Women can then be offered expectant or medical treatment as appropriate. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.