Antenatal care and maternal health Flashcards
What is the recommended dosage of folic acid and how long pre-conceptually should it be taken for?
40micrograms per day taken 3 months before pregnancy and in the first trimester.
If there is a history of epilepsy, NTD or obesity, 5mg/day is recommended.
What is the recommended dosage of vitamin D for pregnancy and breastfeeding?
10mg/day
Smoking increases the risks in pregnancy in what ways?
20-30% risk of miscarriage in first trimester compared to 10-15% in normal.
50% increased chance of premature labour.
x2 risk of low birth weight baby
Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
When should booking ideally happen?
9-11 weeks gestation. Ideally before 12 weeks.
What examinations should be carried out at booking?
Weight
Baseline blood pressure to compare for assessment of pre-eclampsia and diagnose pre-existing hypertension.
Abdominal examination. The pregnant uterus is usually first felt at 12 weeks. If it is palpable before then, suggests multiple pregnancy. Fetal heart can usually be auscultated once the uterus is felt.
What do booking bloods include?
FBC - for anaemia
Rhesus status and blood group
Infections: syphilis (treat before 18 weeks), rubella (vaccinate mother when born), HIV (C-section, anti-retrovirals and no breastfeeding) and HepB (vaccinate baby when born)
How many antenatal visits are routine for a multiparous pregnancy? What happens in each of them?
16 weeks - review of test results and treat anaemia (below 11g/dl) if necessary.
18-20 weeks - anomaly scan. If placenta is found to cover the internal os, arrange scan at 36 weeks
28 weeks - Check Hb and red cell alloantibodies. Give first dose of anti-D to rhesus negative women.
34 weeks - second dose of anti-D
36 and 38 weeks - assess presentation and attempt ECV if breech
41 weeks - offer membrane sweep and date for induction
What additional antenatal appointments are offered to nulliparous women?
25 weeks, 31 weeks and 40 weeks.
What is the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic test?
A screening test tells you the chances of your baby being affected. A diagnostic test tells you for definite whether your baby has a condition or not.
What is the purpose of the dating scan? What is the combined test?
Looks at gestation, viability and multiple pregnancy. Can assess chorionicity in multiple pregnancy.
Combined test: a screen for chromosomal abnormalities. The nuchal translucency scan, with beta-HCG and PAPPA together forms the combined test for Down’s syndrome if integrated with maternal age. If the risk is high, CVS or amniocentesis will be offered.
Raised AFP levels can be a marker for NTD or gastroschisis.
When does the anomaly scan take place and what is assessed?
Observes and measures growth of baby and major organs including heart, limbs, kidneys. If abnormalities are found, counsel and offer CVS/amniocentesis and cardiac scan.
When is CVS used?
12-14 weeks gestation
When is amniocentesis used?
15+0 onwards
What is the purpose of fetal blood sampling?
Performed from 18 weeks onwards when blood can be aspirated from the umbilical vein. Usually used to determine haematocrit to guide red cell transfusion.`
What sensitising events should anti-D be given at?
Miscarriage or threatened miscarriage after 12 weeks Instrumentation of uterus Termination of pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy In utero procedures e.g. amniocentesis ECV Fetal death Antepartum haemorrhage
What is the Kleihauer test?
Assesses the number of fetal cells in the maternal circulation is performed within 2hrs of birth to detect occasional larger fetomaternal haemorrhages that require larger doses of anti-D to mop up.
What is the use of umbilical artery Doppler?
Evidence of high resistance circulation suggests placental dysfunction and can be indicative of fetal compromise. Helps identify which fetuses are actually growth restricted.
What should be assessed in a CTG?
Accelerations and variability >5 beats/min
Decelerations absent
Rate in range of 110-160
What is the risk of preterm labour in twins and triplets?
40% of twins and 80% of triplets deliver before 36 weeks.
In TTTS, what happens to the donor and recipient twins?
Results from unequal blood distribution through vascular anastomoses of the shared placenta. The donor is volume depleted and develops anaemia, IUGR and oligohydraminos. The recipient is overloaded and may develop polycythaemia, cardiac failure and polyhydraminos.
What is the treatment of TTTS?
Untreated, mortality is 90%.
Treatment with amnioreduction and septostomy or laser treatment.
What conditions predispose to breech presentation?
More room: polyhydraminos or high parity
Conditions which prevent turning: fetal/uterine abnormalities and twin pregnancies
Conditions preventing engagement: placenta praevia, pelvic tumours
How is ECV performed and how successful is it?
50% success rate.
Usually done under ultrasound guidance and in hospital to allow immediate delivery if complications occur. CTG is usually done afterwards and anti-D given to rhesus negative mothers. Sometimes made easier by administering a uterine relaxant.
ECV is contraindicated in what situations?
Fetal compromise
Contraindication of vaginal delivery
Ruptured membranes
Recent antepartum haemorrhage