6. Obstetrical Complications Flashcards
Define: Preterm labour (1)
- labour between 20 and 37 wk gestation
Name/describe etiologies: Preterm labour (18)
- idiopathic (most common)
- maternal:
- infection (recurrent pyelonephritis, untreated bacteriuria, chorioamnionitis)
- HTN
- DM
- chronic illness
- mechanical factors (previous obstetric, gynecological, and abdominal surgeries)
- socio- environmental (poor nutrition, smoking, drugs, alcohol, stress)
- pre-eclampsia
- maternal-fetal:
- PPROM (common)
- polyhydramnios
- placenta previa
- abruptio placentae
- placental insufficiency
- fetal:
- multiple gestation
- congenital abnormalities
- fetal hydrops
- uterine:
- excessive enlargement (hydramnios, multiple gestation)
- malformations (intracavitary leiomyomas, septate uterus, and Müllerian duct abnormalities)
Preterm labour complicates about __% of pregnancies (1)
10%
Name risk factors of preterm labour (8)
- prior history of spontaneous PTL is the most important risk factor
- prior history of large or multiple cervical excisions (cone biopsy) or mechanical dilatation (D&C)
- cervical length: measured by transvaginal U/S (cervical length >30 mm has high negative predictive value for PTL before 34 wk)
- identification of bacterial vaginosis and ureaplasma urealyticum infections
- routine screening not supported by current data, but it is reasonable to screen high-risk women
- family history of preterm birth
- smoking
- late maternal age
- multiple gestation
Name methods prevention of preterm labour (6)
- Cervical Cerclage
- Progesterone
- Lifestyle Modification
- smoking cessation
- substance use reduction
- treatment of GU infections (including asymptomatic UTIs)
- patient education regarding risk factors
How to predict preterm labour? (1)
fetal fibronectin: a glycoprotein in amniotic fluid and placental tissue
When is fetal fibronectin positive? (1)
positive if >50 ng/mL; NPV > PPV
When is fetal fibronectin done? (2)
- done if 1 or more signs of preterm labour (regular contractions >6/h, pelvic pressure, low abdominal pain and/or cramps, low backache)
- done only if: 24-34 weeks, intact membranes, <3 cm dilated, established fetal well being
Name contraindications: Fetal fibronectin (4)
- cerclage
- active vaginal bleeding
- vaginal exam
- sex in last 24 h
Describe if negative or positive: Fetal fibronectin (2)
- if negative, not likely to deliver in 7-14 d (>95% accuracy)
- if positive increased risk of delivery, may need admission/transfer to centre that can do delivery ± tocolysis and/or corticosteroids
Name clinical features: Clinical Features (2)
- regular contractions (2 in 10 min, >6/h)
- cervix >1 cm dilated, >80% effaced, or length <2.5 cm
Describe management: Preterm labour (4)
- Initial management
- Tocolysis (Suppression of Labour)
- Antenatal Corticosteroids
- Neuroprotection
Describe INITIAL management of preterm labour (7)
- transfer to appropriate facility if stable
- tocolysis and first dose of antenatal steroids prior to transfer
- hydration (normal saline at 150 mL/h)
- bed rest in left lateral decubitus position to reduce aortocaval compression and improve cardiac output
- sedation (morphine)
- avoid repeated pelvic exams (increased infection risk)
- U/S examination of fetus (GA, BPP, position, placenta location, estimated fetal weight)
- prophylactic antibiotics; (for GBS) important to consider if PPROM (e.g. erythromycin controversial, but may help to delay delivery)
Describe: Tocolysis (1)
does not inhibit preterm labour completely, but may delay delivery (used for <48 h) to allow for betamethasone valerate (Celestone®) and/or transfer to appropriate centre for care of the premature infant
Name requirements: Tocolysis (3)
- preterm labour
- live, immature fetus, intact membranes, cervical dilatation of <4 cm
- absence of maternal or fetal contraindications
Name contraindications: Tocolysis (9)
- maternal:
- bleeding (placenta previa or abruption)
- maternal disease (HTN, DM, heart disease)
- preeclampsia or eclampsia
- chorioamnionitis
- fetal:
- erythroblastosis fetalis
- severe congenital anomalies
- fetal distress/demise
- IUGR
- multiple gestation (relative)
Name agents: Tocolysis (2)
- calcium channel blockers: nifedipine
- prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors: indomethacin
Describe doses: Nifedipine (3)
- 20 mg PO loading dose followed by 20 mg PO 90 min later
- 20 mg can be continued q3-8h for 72 h or to a max of 180 mg
- 10 mg PO q20min x 4 doses
Name relative contraindications: Nifedipine (6)
- nifedipine allergy
- hypotension
- hepatic dysfunction
- concurrent beta- mimetics or magnesium sulfate use
- transdermal nitrates
- other antihypertensive medications
Name absolute contraindications: Nifedipine (2)
- maternal congestive heart failure
- aortic stenosis
Describe doses for preterm labour: Indomethacin (2)
- 1st line for early preterm labour (<30 wk GA) or polyhydramnios
- 50-100 mg PR loading dose followed by 25-50 mg q6h x 8 doses for 48 hours
Describe use of antenatal Corticosteroids for preterm labour (6)
- enhance fetal lung maturity
- reduce perinatal death
- reduce incidence of severe RDS
- and intraventricular hemorrhage,
- necrotizing enterocolitis,
- and neonatal sepsis
Name antenatal corticosteroids for preterm labour (1)
betamethasone valerate (Celestone®)
Describe doses of betamethasone valerate (Celestone®) for preterm labour (4)
- 12 mg IM q24h x 2 doses or dexamethasone 6 mg IM q12h x 4 doses
- given between 24 to 33+6 wk GA if expected to deliver in the next 7 d
- women between 22+0 and 23+6 wk GA at high risk of preterm birth within the next 7 d should be provided with multidisciplinary consultation regarding high likelihood for severe perinatal morbidity and mortality and associated maternal morbidity – consider antenatal corticosteroids therapy if early intensive care is requested and planned
- specific maternal contraindications: active TB
Describe doses of neuroprotection for preterm labour (1)
MgSO4 4 g bolus followed by 1 g/h infusion for at least 4 h if imminent delivery expected and <32 wk GA
Describe prognosis for preterm labour (5)
- prematurity is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality
- 24 wk = 50% survival (may be higher in tertiary care centres with level 3-4 NICU)
- 30 wk or 1500 g (3.3 lb) = 90% survival
- 33 wk or 2000 g (4.4 lb) = 99% survival
- morbidity due to asphyxia, hypoxia, sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome RDS, intraventricular cerebral hemorrhage, thermal instability, retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis
Define: Premature rupture of membrane (4)
- PROM: premature (pre-labour) rupture of membranes at any GA
- prolonged ROM: >24 h elapsed between rupture of membranes and onset of labour
- preterm ROM: ROM occurring before 37 wk gestation
- PPROM: preterm (before 37 wk) AND premature (pre-labour) rupture of membranes
Name risk factors: Premature rupture of membrane (3)
- maternal: multiparity, cervical incompetence, infection (cervicitis, vaginitis, STI, UTI), family history of PROM, low socioeconomic class/poor nutrition
- fetal: congenital anomaly, multiple gestation
- other risk factors associated with preterm labour PTL
Name clinical features: PROM (1)
- history of fluid gush or continued leakage
Describe investigations: Premature Rupture of Membranes (4)
-
sterile speculum exam (avoid introduction of infection)
- pooling of fluid in the posterior fornix
- cascading: fluid leaking out of cervix with cough/valsalva
-
nitrazine (basic amniotic fluid turns nitrazine paper blue)
- low specificity as it can also be positive with blood, urine, or semen
- ferning: salt in amniotic fluid evaporates, giving amniotic fluid the appearance of ferns on microscopy
- U/S to rule out fetal anomalies; assess GA, presentation, and biophysical profile BPP