Complications of pregnancy mnemonic

Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy

The mnemonic

PIDDLE

What each word stands for

  • PPrevious ectopic pregnancy
  • IIUCD in situ
  • DDamaged tubes, tubal surgery
  • DDisease: PID, chlamydia
  • LLate (assisted) reproduction, IVF
  • EEndometriosis

Why it matters clinically

Prompts early ultrasound in a woman with such risks and pain or bleeding.

Where it stops being reliable

Half of ectopic pregnancies occur with no known risk factor.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Complications of pregnancy mnemonic?

PIDDLE. It helps you recall: Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy.

What does "P" stand for?

Previous ectopic pregnancy

What does "I" stand for?

IUCD in situ

What does "D" stand for?

Disease: PID, chlamydia

What are all the parts of the PIDDLE mnemonic?

P: Previous ectopic pregnancy; I: IUCD in situ; D: Damaged tubes, tubal surgery; D: Disease: PID, chlamydia; L: Late (assisted) reproduction, IVF; E: Endometriosis.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Complications of pregnancy in OBG.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Half of ectopic pregnancies occur with no known risk factor.

How is this useful clinically?

Prompts early ultrasound in a woman with such risks and pain or bleeding.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a OBG question about Complications of pregnancy.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.