ABSTRACT
Using a postpartum survey, comparing singles to married, we sought to expand existing information on pregnancy occurring among active duty service women. The study instrument was a 59-question survey distributed in the initial 24 hours postpartum and collected prior to discharge. The majority affirmed that pregnancy had not changed career plans. Singles did not consider their commands supportive during pregnancy, (p=.04). Eighty-two percent of pregnancies among singles were unplanned, (p=.006). The majority of single pregnancies occurred while assigned to operational units, (p=.004); and during their first enlistment, (p<.001). Three-quarters of all singles required Women Infants and Children (WIC) financial support, (p<.001); and fewer fathers were, or planned to be involved, (p<.001). Unplanned pregnancy, contraceptive failure, and pregnancy complications highlight areas of organizational and individual concern warranting further study among active duty.
Subject(s)
Military Personnel , Postpartum Period , Pregnancy, Unplanned , Adult , Female , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications , Surveys and Questionnaires , Virginia , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Concurrent ectopic pregnancy and acute appendicitis is rarely encountered. Since 1960, only 22 cases have been reported. No case of concurrent interstitial ectopic pregnancy and appendicitis has ever been reported. CASE: A 24-year-old, African American woman, gravida 4, para 3, had a right interstitial ectopic pregnancy. She was managed as an inpatient with parenteral methotrexate and her beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level decreased appropriately. She was discharged 3 days after treatment but subsequently returned with right lower quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. The patient underwent laparoscopy with removal of a suppurative appendix. A stable interstitial ectopic pregnancy was visualized and left in situ. CONCLUSION: The discipline to consider concomitant abdominal pathology is paramount. The perceived rarity of an ectopic pregnancy and appendicitis should not obscure a thorough clinical evaluation.
