Questions to ask in analysis of obstetrics history taking on hopi for any complaints

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obstetric HOPI history presenting illness questions current pregnancy past obstetric

Here is a comprehensive, structured guide to HOPI (History of Presenting Illness) questions in obstetric history taking, covering any complaint a pregnant patient may present with.

Obstetric History Taking: HOPI for Any Complaint


1. Opening / Chief Complaint

Start with open questions:
  • "What brings you in today?"
  • "What is your main concern?"
  • "Can you tell me more about what you've been experiencing?"
Allow the patient to speak without interruption, then clarify.

2. History of Presenting Complaint — SOCRATES

For any symptom the patient describes (pain, bleeding, discharge, swelling, headache, etc.), explore using SOCRATES:
LetterQuestion
S – SiteWhere exactly is the symptom? (e.g., where is the pain/bleeding?)
O – OnsetWhen did it start? Was it sudden or gradual?
C – CharacterWhat is it like? (e.g., sharp, dull, crampy, colicky; bright red vs. dark blood)
R – RadiationDoes it spread or move anywhere?
A – AssociationsAny other symptoms alongside it? (e.g., fever, dizziness, vomiting, discharge, reduced fetal movement)
T – TimingIs it constant or intermittent? Getting better or worse?
E – Exacerbating/Relieving factorsWhat makes it worse or better?
S – SeverityOn a scale of 0–10, how severe is it? How does it affect your daily activities?

3. Obstetric-Specific Symptom Screen (HOPI Expansion)

After SOCRATES, ask these focused pregnancy-related questions regardless of the complaint, as they contextualise risk and differential diagnosis:

A. Key Pregnancy Details

  • What is your gestational age (weeks)?
  • What is your Last Menstrual Period (LMP)?
  • What is your Expected Date of Delivery (EDD)?
  • Was the pregnancy planned or unplanned?
  • Was it a spontaneous or assisted conception (IVF, ovulation induction)?
  • Have you had any ultrasound scans this pregnancy? What did they show?
  • Are you certain of your dates?

B. Antenatal Course So Far

  • When did you first notice the pregnancy (pregnancy test, amenorrhoea)?
  • Have you attended regular antenatal visits? Any missed?
  • Are you taking folic acid / prenatal vitamins / iron?
  • Have you had any antenatal screening tests (Down's syndrome, anomaly scan, OGTT, etc.)? Results?
  • Have you had any admissions or complications during this pregnancy?

C. Pregnancy-Specific Symptoms to Screen For

Regardless of the presenting complaint, ask about:
SymptomScreening Question
Nausea/VomitingAny nausea or vomiting? Severity? Ability to keep fluids down?
Vaginal BleedingAny bleeding PV? Amount, colour (fresh red vs. dark), clots, passage of tissue?
Vaginal Discharge / Fluid LossAny watery, mucoid, or offensive discharge? Did you feel a gush of fluid (PROM)?
Fetal MovementsAre you feeling the baby move? Normal frequency? Any reduction?
Contractions / Uterine TighteningsAny tightenings or contractions? How frequent? How long? Painful?
Headache / Visual DisturbanceAny headaches, blurred vision, flashing lights, or floaters?
Epigastric / RUQ PainAny pain under the ribs on the right side? (Pre-eclampsia/HELLP)
Swelling (Oedema)Any swelling of the hands, face, or legs? When did it start?
Urinary SymptomsDysuria, frequency, haematuria? (UTI/pyelonephritis risk)
Bowel ChangesConstipation, diarrhoea?
Shortness of Breath / Chest PainAny breathing difficulty, palpitations, or chest tightness?
PruritusAny generalised itching, especially palms and soles (obstetric cholestasis)?
Seizures / FaintingAny fits, blackouts, or loss of consciousness?

4. The "TMO IS U" Mnemonic (for Focused Obstetric HOPI)

A structured mnemonic used in case presentations:
LetterStands For
TTime of onset / Trimester
MMenstrual history (LMP, cycle regularity)
OObstetric history (gravida/parity)
IInvestigation results (USS, bloods, screening)
SSymptoms of current complaint
UUrgency / red flags present?

5. Past Obstetric History — GTPAL System

For every obstetric patient, establish the GTPAL (or G/P with FPAL):
  • G – Gravida: Total number of pregnancies (including current)
  • T – Term: Pregnancies delivered ≥ 37 weeks
  • P – Preterm: Deliveries 20–36+6 weeks
  • A – Abortions: Miscarriages or terminations before 20 weeks (including ectopic, molar)
  • L – Living children: Number of currently living children
For each previous pregnancy, ask:
  • Year and gestation at delivery
  • Mode of delivery (NVD, instrumental, LSCS — and reason if CS)
  • Birth weight and sex
  • Fetal/neonatal outcome (alive and well, NICU admission, stillbirth)
  • Complications: pre-eclampsia, GDM, APH, PPH, IUGR, congenital anomalies
  • Any previous caesarean — type of uterine incision?

6. Maternal Medical History

  • Chronic conditions: Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, autoimmune diseases (SLE, APS), cardiac disease, thyroid disease, epilepsy, asthma, renal disease
  • Previous VTE (DVT/PE) or thrombophilia
  • Previous surgeries (especially pelvic/gynaecological, including cervical procedures)
  • Current medications — including over-the-counter, herbal, supplements
  • Allergies

7. Menstrual & Gynaecological History

  • LMP and regularity of cycles
  • Previous gynaecological conditions: fibroids, PCOS, endometriosis, cervical dysplasia
  • Previous STIs / PID
  • Contraceptive history (especially IUCD — was it removed prior to pregnancy?)
  • Last Pap smear / cervical screening result

8. Family History

  • Diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, thromboembolic disease in first-degree relatives
  • Genetic conditions, chromosomal abnormalities, consanguinity
  • Recurrent miscarriages or stillbirths in the family
  • Congenital anomalies

9. Social History

  • Smoking — number of cigarettes/day, current or ex-smoker
  • Alcohol — units per week
  • Recreational drug use (including cannabis)
  • Occupation — any occupational hazards or teratogenic exposures?
  • Partner/relationship status and support at home
  • Housing situation
  • Domestic violence screening (ask sensitively and alone): "Do you ever feel unsafe at home?"
  • Significant stressors or mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, previous perinatal mental health history)

10. Systems Review (Relevant to Pregnancy)

Briefly screen:
  • Cardiovascular: palpitations, orthopnoea, PND, syncope
  • Respiratory: cough, wheeze, dyspnoea
  • Neurological: headache, visual changes, paraesthesiae
  • Urological: dysuria, haematuria, loin pain
  • Gastrointestinal: heartburn (very common), nausea, constipation

Key Red Flags — Escalate Immediately If Present

Red FlagConsider
Severe headache + visual disturbance + oedemaPre-eclampsia / eclampsia
Heavy PV bleeding + abdominal painAbruption / placenta praevia
Sudden gush of fluidPPROM / PROM
Reduced or absent fetal movementsFetal compromise
Generalised itching (palms/soles) + no rashObstetric cholestasis
Seizure in pregnancyEclampsia
Unilateral leg swelling + shortness of breathDVT / PE
Severe vomiting + inability to keep fluidsHyperemesis gravidarum

Sources: Creasy & Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice (7th ed.); Berek & Novak's Gynecology (16th ed.); Geeky Medics Obstetric History Guide; AMBOSS OB/GYN History & Examination

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