Antenatal Flashcards
Antenatal medicine
When is it recommended for a female to take folic acid tablets?
When they start trying to conceive and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy
Why is folic acid intake important for expectant mother’s?
It decreases the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and cleft palate as well as helping to produce RBC
What is the normal dose recommended for folic acid?
400 micrograms daily
Which group of women is it recommended take 5mg of folic acid daily?
Previous pregnancy with NTD, family history of NTD, anti-eplieptic medication, diabetes, bowel disease, obesity
How many appointments will a nulliparous woman have for an uncomplicated pregnancy?
10
How many appointments will a parous woman have for an uncomplicated pregnancy?
7
Why should pregnant women avoid liver?
it contains high levels of vitamin A which could be teratogenic if intake above 700 micrograms
How much is the recommended supplement of vitamin D?
10 micrograms daily
Which groups of women is it vital to recommend vitamin D supplement?
Those with dark skin or with limited exposure to sunlight (housebound, skin covered for cultural reasons)
Which foods should pregnant women avoid to reduce the risk of listeriosis?
unpasteurised milk
camembert, brie and blue-veined cheeses
any type of pate
uncooked or underprepared ready meals
Which foods should pregnant women avoid to reduce the risk of salmonella?
raw or partially cooked eggs or meat especially poultry and mayonnaise
What are the recommendations regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy?
No safe limit
Increased risk of miscarriage in the first trimester
Binge drinking (>5 drinks on one occasion) maybe harmful to unborn baby
How should a pregnant woman wear a three point seatbelt?
Above and below the bump, not over it
Which interventions appear to be effective in reducing symptoms of morning sickness?
ginger
P6 (wrist) acupressure
antihistamines
What is the normal range of haemoglobin levels for pregnant women?
110g/L at first contact
105g/L at 28 weeks
If the woman is identified as a carrier of a clinically significant haemoglobinopathy what is the recommendation?
The father should be offered counselling and appropriate screening without delay
What are the four options to be discussed with the woman regarding the anomaly scan to enable an informed choice?
Reproductive choice
Parents to prepare
Managed birth at specialist centre
Intrauterine therapy
What is included in a ‘combined test’?
nuchal translucency
beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin
pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A
Which strain of hepatitis should be serologically screened for in pregnancy?
Hepatitis B
so that effective postnatal interventions can be offered to reduce the risk of mother to child transmission
What are the five primary prevention measures to avoid toxoplasmosis infection for pregnant women?
Washing hands before handling food
Thoroughly washing all fruit and veg, including pre-prepared salads
Thoroughly cooking raw meats and ready meals
Wearing gardening gloves and thoroughly washing hands after handling soli
Avioding cat faeces in cat litter and soil
Name 5 of the 9 risk factors for pre-eclampsia
Aged 40 or above Nulliparity Pregnancy interval greater than 10 years Family history Previous history BMI 30kg/m2 and above Pre-existing vascular disease Pre-existing renal disease Multiple pregnancy
What are the main 5 symptoms of pre-eclapsia?
Severe headache
Problems with vision (blurring or flashing lights)
Severe pain just below the ribs
Vomiting
Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
Which age groups are at higher risk of having problems with the grow of their baby?
less than 18
more than 40
What are the 3 main risks identified from the family origin questionnaire?
Diabetes
Haematological disorder such as Thalassaemia or Sickle Cell Disease
FGM
