High-Risk Pregnancy Complications

Ectopic pregnancy — implantation outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube — classically presents with unilateral pelvic/abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, and is a true emergency if the tube ruptures, causing sudden, severe pain and signs of internal hemorrhage (tachycardia, hypotension, dizziness) — any patient with a positive pregnancy test and unexplained abdominal pain or bleeding needs prompt evaluation to rule this out before assuming a routine early-pregnancy cause. Miscarriage (pregnancy loss before 20 weeks) presents with vaginal bleeding and cramping, and is described by type — threatened (bleeding with a closed cervix, pregnancy may continue), inevitable or incomplete (cervix open or some tissue passed, pregnancy loss is occurring or has partially occurred), and complete (all products of conception have passed) — the amount of bleeding, presence of tissue passage, and cervical exam findings guide which category applies and what monitoring or intervention is needed.