Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

Miscarriage A miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) is the birth of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. A miscarriage may occur from the mother sustaining trauma, but most occur due to improper development of a fetus that was unable to survive.

• Clean the patient. Assess the area between the vagina and anus for any tearing or lacerations. Use gentle pressure with a dressing to control any bleeding. • Keep both the patient and infant warm and comfortable. Childbirth makes great demands on the mother and child. Both will require rest. • Give ongoing care to both the mother and child, monitoring closely. • Transport or hand over to medical care as soon as possible.

Sign and Symptoms Miscarriage • Vaginal bleeding, can be severe • Lower back pain • Abdominal cramps and pain • Passage of bloody tissue • Shock due to internal bleeding

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