Antenatal Flashcards
What is the purpose of antenatal care?
To identify mothers who need medical attention
What is involved in pre conceptual counselling ?
Discuss outcomes of previous pregnancies and implications of another. Also discuss health and possible smear results. Also check rubella status and immunise if necessary. (strict pre-conceptual glucose control in Diabetes reduces the incidence of congenital abnormalities.) Medication can also be optimised. Eg. Lamotrigine is safer than sodium valporate.
What is the routine pre-conception recommended administration does of folic acid and why is it used?
0.4mg/day of folic acid, in order to reduce the chance of neural tube defects.
When is the ideal time for the booking visit?
9-11 weeks gestation
What is the purpose of the booking visit?
to assess risk
What congenital abnormalities are associated with mothers over the age of 35?
chromosomal trisomies
How do you work out the EDD?
LMP + 7 days + 9 months
How do you work out the accurate EDD with a dating ultrasound scan?
Dating ultrasound(10-13 weeks + 6 days)
What diseases are important to ask specifically about when taking the family history?
Gestational diabetes, HTN, thromboembolic, autoimmune diseases and pre-eclampsia
What factors are involved in the risk assessment at the booking visit?
BP, urine, BMI, lifestyle factors. (if pre-existing HTN then there is an increase in the risk of eclampsia.)
When does the second trimester begin?
14 weeks
How many weeks gestation is the uterus palpable?
12 weeks, if its palpable before this it may suggest multiple pregnancy
What if the mother has not had a smear in 3 years, when should she have a smear?
Usually done 3 months postnatally
What should women with a history of preterm labour be considered for?
Cervical cerclage, where a suture is inserted into the cervix to strength it and keep it closed. Vaginal route is usual but it can be placed abdominally if the cervix is short or scarred.
If not cervical cerclage then at least cervical ultrasound and screening for BV.
When should the cerclage happen?
It is elective between 12 and 14 weeks.
It can be scanned regularly and only sutured if there is significant shortening.
It can also be used as rescue suture that will occasionally prevent delivery even when the ‘incompetent’ cervix is dilated
Which drug increases the risk of preterm labour?
Metronidazole
Why is the knowledge of sub fertility in the PMH important?
Sub-fertility increases the risk of perinatal problems. Also if fertility drugs or assisted conception have been used. the likelihood of multiple pregnancy is increased.
Why is it important to ask about past surgical history?
A woman with previous uterine surgery needs a c-section.
In the PMH, what conditions specifically need specialist referral?
HTN, DM, autoimmune diseases, haemoglobinopathy, thromboembolic disease, cardiac and renal disease.
What is confirmed at the booking visit?
Gestation and viability. Will give maternal reassurance and will diagnose multiple pregnancies.
What can be screened for with the USS and how?
Chromosomal abnormalities can be screened for, by measuring nuchal translucency. The larger it is then the higher the RISK of structural, particularly cardiac abnormalities.
What is nuchal translucency?
This is the space between the skin and the soft tissue overlying the cervical spine and is measured between 11 and 14 weeks.
What percentage of foetuses with trisomies have structural abnormalities too?
50%
What is exomphalos and when is it visible?
This is the weakness of the babies abdominal wall where the umbilical cord joins it. The bowel and the liver protrude outside the abdominal cavity where they are contained in a loose sack that surrounds the umbilical cord.