Antenatal Care Flashcards
When are women screened for anaemia in pregnancy
- booking visit 8-12w
- 28w
Why does anaemia occur during pregnancy
increased plasma volume diluting the Hb
What are the normal ranges of Hb during pregnancy
- > 110 g/l at booking
- >105 g/l at 28 week
What is the management of anaemia in pregnancy
- Iron if low Hb or ferritin
- B12: test for pernicious anaemia, if not B12 injection or tablet if mild
- Folate: should be taking 400mcg, if deficient, take 5mg
What is gestational diabetes
diabetes triggered by pregnancy, that usually resolves after they have given birth. It is a result of reduced insulin sensitivity.
What are the risk factors of gestational diabetes
- Raised BMI (>30)
- Previous gestational diabetes
- Asian, black Caribbean, Middle Eastern
- Previous macrocosmic baby (or large for dates baby on scans)
- Family history of diabetes (first degree relative)
When is the oral glucose tolerance test done
Booking
26 weeks
How is the oral glucose tolerance test conducted
- Performed in the morning after a fast (can drink water)
- They drink a 75g glucose drink at the start of the test (usually lucozade)
- Blood sugar is measured before the sugar drink (fasting) and then at 2 hours
What values on oral glucose tolerance test suggest gestation diabetes
At baseline > 5.6
At 2 hours >7.8
What is the management of gestational diabetes
- Joint diabetes / antenatal clinics
- Fasting glucose < 7 trial of diet and exercise
- Fasting glucose > 7 start insulin
- Fasting glucose > 6 and macrosomia (or other complications) start insulin
What is the management of pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes
- Metformin is the only safe oral agent
- Most women are switched to insulin only
- Closer monitoring is required
- Folic acid (5mg) should be taken pre-conception to 12 weeks gestation
- Retinopathy screening should be performed during pregnancy as this can progress rapidly
What is small for gestational age
Defined as a fetus that has an estimated fetal weight (on ultrasound) or abdominal circumference below the 10th centile for their gestational age.
What are the causes for SGA
- constitutionally small
- Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) AKA Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
- Abnormal SGA, the baby is small due to a genetic or structural abnormality.
- Multiple pregnancy
What is fetal growth restriction
small fetus (or a fetus that is not growing as expected) due to a pathology reducing the amount of nutrients and oxygen being delivered to the fetus.
Other features suggested of SGA
- reduced liquor volume
- abnormal doppler studies
- reduced fetal movements
- abnormal CTGs.
Causes of FGR
- Idiopathic
- Pre-eclampsia
- Maternal smoking
- Maternal alcohol
- Anaemia
- Malnutrition
- Infection
Children who are FGR are disposed to what conditions later in life
HTN
T2DM
Risk factors for FGR babies
Previous SGA baby Obesity Smoking Diabetes Existing hypertension Pre-eclampsia Antiphospholipid syndrome Older mother (>35) Low levels of Pregnancy‑Associated Plasma Protein‑A (PAPPA) Antepartum haemorrhage Multiple pregnancy
What is the management of FGR
- Treat underlying cause e.g. pre-eclampsia
- Careful monitoring of growth and health antenatally
- Get paediatricians involved at birth of baby
What investigations should be carried out if suspecting an FGR baby
- ultrasound monitoring of growth and amniotic fluid volume
- umbilical artery dopplers, ductus venous dopplers
- CTGs
What is large for gestational age
Babies are defined as being large for gestational age (also known as macrosomia) when they are born at a weight more than 4kg.
What are the causes of large for gestational age
Constitutional Maternal diabetes Previous macrosomia Maternal obesity or rapid weight gain Overdue Male baby
What are the risks of LGA to the mother
Shoulder dystocia Failure to progress Perineal tears Instrumental delivery / caesarean Post partum haemorrhage Uterine rupture (rare)
What are the risks of LGA to the baby
Birth Injury (Erbs palsy, clavicular fracture, fetal distress and hypoxia)
Neonatal hypoglycaemia
Obesity in childhood and later life