16. Obstetric Hemorrhage and Puerperal Sepsis Flashcards
If a patient is hemorrhaging (bleeding profusely) before birth, what should you do?
- Set up a team (OB, anesthesia, nursing, bleeding protocal) to establish hemodynamic stability
- 2. Give 2 large bore IV lines
- 3. Access vitals, amount of bleeding and mental status
- 4. Medical hx
- labs (CBC, coag profile, serial H/H, type and crossmatch)
If a patient is bleeding, how do you replace their blood?
Type and crossmatch for 4 units of blood via PRBC (packed RBC) transfusion
How much will 1 unit of PRBC raise Hct and Hgb?
Raise Hct by 3% and Hgb by 1g/dL
What should be avoided during the initial examination of antepartum hemorrhage?
- AVOID digital exam (looks at dilation of cervix) until placenta previa is ruled out
- Instead do sterile speculum exam to look for genital lacerations/cervical lesions.
How many units of blood should you type and crossmatch for during antepartum hemorrhage?
4 untis of blood
When assesing the entire situation during the intial evaluation of antepartum hemorrhage, what do you do?
- US to look at location of placenta and presentation of fetus
- Amount of bleeding/maternal status
- Gestations age
- Conintour FH monitoring
DDx for Vaginal Bleeding BEFORE 20 weeks
- Abortion
- Ectopic PG
- Problem with cervix/vagina (cancer, polyp)
- Subchorioninc hemorrhage/retroplacental clot
- Insufficient cervix
DDx for Vaginal Bleeding AFTER 20 weeks (upper genital tract etiology)
- Placenta abruption
- Placental previa
- Uterine rupture
- Vasa previa
DDx for Vaginal Bleeding AFTER 20 weeks (lower genital tract etiology)
- Bloody show labor
- cervical polyps
- infection/trauma/cancer
What is the most common type of abnormal placentation?
Placenta previa => implantation of the placenta over the cervical os, causing 20% of antepartum hemorrhage.
Placenta previa classically presents how?
Painless vaginal bleeding
Risk factors for placenta previa, including age?
- Maternal age >35
- Multiparity
- Prior previa or C-section
What are the 3 types of placenta previa?
- Marginal PP => edge of placenta is over margin of cervical os, but does NOT cover it.
- Partial PP => partial occlusion of the placenta
- Complete PP => placenta completly cover
What is the most serious type of placenta previa and is associated with the most blood loss?
Complete PP
least likely to resolve
Placent previa is almost exclusively diagnosed how?
US
How likely are placenta previas to resolve on their own?
90% will resolve by 32-35 weeks, in a process known as placental migration.
Which one is marginal PP and complete PP?
L => marginal
R => complete
What is goal of management of placenal previa in preterm pregnancy; can these patients go home?
- Goal = obtain fetal maturation
- If bleeding not profuse = bed rest initially
- If stable and bleeding stops = send home on pelvic rest
When should a patient with placenta previa NL be delivered if the fetuses lungs are matured?
36-37 weeks
How is a patient with placenta previa stabilized?
- Hospitalized
- IV access => 2 large bore needles if bleeding profusely
- Labs (H/H and Type and cross) anf PT/PTT/ fibrinogen if you suspect coagulopathy
If delivering a patient with placenta previa BEFORE 34 weeks, what should be given?
- Antenal steroids (betamethasone)
- Tocolysis if stable
When encountering a patient with previa, OTHER ABNL placental implantations should be considered. What is the most common?
Placenta ACCRETA; firm attachment to the superficial linign of the myometrium
What is placenta increta and percreta?
- Placenta increta => invades myometrium
- Placenta percreta => through the myometrium INTO the uterine serosa
RF and Treatment of Placenta Acreta
- RF = Previous c-section (esp high with multiple)
- Tx = cesearean hysterectomy
MCC of 3rd trimester bleeding?
Placental abruption => premature separateion of NL implanted placenta
Classic case of placenta abruption
- Patient presents in 3rd trimester with PAINFUL bleeding, a tender uterus that is hyperactive and fetal distress/death.
What is the most common risk factor for placental abruption?
Maternal HTN
How should pts with placental abruption be delivered?
- Mom and bb stable => vaginal
- Fetal distress or uncontrolled bleeded => c-section