Author: Jared Scott, M.D. Educational Pearls: A pessary is a device inserted into the vagina for medical purposes. Examples include birth control and mechanical support of the pelvic structures. In older women, collapse of the pelvic structures is common, and many may have pessaries to aid in treatment. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2876320/
Read MoreAuthor: Sam Killian, M.D. Educational Pearls: “The Rabbit Has Died” is a lesser used phrase to denote finding out one is pregnant. During a test used in the 1930s, the “Rabbit’s Test,” a rabbit was injected with a potentially pregnant woman’s urine. If the woman was pregnant, the rabbit would begin displaying signs of pregnancy…
Read MoreRun Time: 6 minutes Author: Samuel Killian M.D. Educational Pearls: The mechanism of preeclampsia is not well understood, but it is thought to be a widespread malfunction of vascular endothelium and inflammation. Clinical features include hypertension – SBP >140 and DBP > 90, proteinuria, and potential pathologic edema. Preeclampsia typically occurs after 20 weeks gestation…
Read MoreRun Time: 3 minutes Author: Jared Scott M.D. Educational Pearls: Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state and often PE is a concern. When we work up PE in pregnancy the main consideration for harm to the fetus is radiation exposure. The amount of radiation to cause harm to the fetus during pregnancy is thought to be…
Read MoreRun Time: 4 minutes Author: Peter Bakes M.D. Educational Pearls: The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) has new recommendations on the management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. This can present in any form along the spectrum from morning sickness to hyperemesis gravidarum. Conventional management of any nausea in the ED is usually…
Read MoreRun Time: 4 minutes Author: Dr. Nicholas Hatch Educational Pearls: Risk of DVT and PE does go up with pregnancy and increases in each trimester. 1 in 50,000 people develop blood clots in the first trimester with 1 in 10,000 people developing blood clots in the second trimester. The risk for PE or DVT in pregnancy is…
Read MoreRun Time: 15 minutes Author: Dr. Donald Stader Educational Pearls: Trauma ABCs change in pregnancy. A: Progesterone dilates to blood vessels in the nose and the back of the throat changing the airway in pregnant women, causes intubation to be more difficult because of increased redundant tissue. B: Pregnant women desaturate very quickly because of metabolic…
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