Chronic Conditions in Pregnancy Flashcards
What is hypertension?
An elevated blood pressure, which is considered to be greater than 140/90mmHg
What are the three hypertensive disorders that can occur during pregnancy?
Chronic Hypertension
Gestational Hypertension
Pre-Eclampsia
What is chronic hypertension?
Hypertension present before getting pregnant or noted before 20 weeks gestation
What three hypertensive classes are contraindicated during pregnancy? Give examples
ACE Inhibitors - Ramipril, Enalopril
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) - Losartan, Candesartan
Thiazide Diuretics - Indapamide
What blood pressure measurement do we aim for during pregnancy?
150/100
What three antihypertensives are prescribed during pregnancy? What class of drug are they?
Labetalol, which is a beta-blocker
Nifedipine, which is a calcium channel blocker
Doxazosin, which is an alpha-blocker
What is the first line hypertensive in pregnancy?
Labetalol
What is gestational hypertension?
New hypertension that develops after 20 weeks’ gestation
What is pre-eclampsia?
New onset hypertension after 20 weeks’ gestation, leading to end-organ dysfunction
It is typically described as a triad of new-onset hypertension, proteinuria and oedema
What is diabetes mellitus?
It refers to a group of metabolic diseases characterised by hyperglycaemia due to insulin insensitivity or decreased insulin secretion
What are the two diabete disorders that can occur during pregnancy?
Chronic Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
What is chronic diabetes?
It refers to hyperglycaemia present prior to pregnancy
In what two ways do we manage chronic diabetic patients prior to pregnancy?
They should aim for good glycaemic control, with glucose levels ideally falling between 4-7mmol/l or HbA1c should be less than 6.5% (48mmol/mol)
They should take 5mg of folic acid from preconception until 12 weeks’ gestation
Why do we give diabetic patients folic acid prior to pregnancy?
This is to prevent congenital neural tube defects
What two diabetic medications are prescribed during pregnancy?
Metformin
Insulin
What fasting glucose level should diabetic patients aim for during pregnancy (chronic and gestational)?
Below 5.3mmol/l
What glucose level should pregnant diabetic patients aim for one hour post-meals (chronic and gestational)?
Below 7.8mmol/l
What glucose level should pregnant diabetic patients aim for two hour post-meals (chronic and gestational)?
Below 6.4mmol/l
What bedtime glucose level should diabetic patients aim for during pregnancy (chronic and gestational)?
Below 6mmol/l
What diabetic screening is increased during pregnancy?
Retinopathy
When is retinopathy screening conducted in diabetic patients?
28 and 34 weeks’ gestation
How do we deliver babies from a diabetic mother?
A planned delivery between 37 and 38+6 weeks gestation should be arranged
However, if fetal or maternal complications arise we can induce labour earlier
What can we prescribe diabetic patients during labour?
A sliding scale insulin regime
This regime involves infusion of dextrose and insulin based upon the patient’s glucose levels
When do we prescribe diabetic patients a sliding scale insulin regime during labour?
It should be considered for women with type one diabetes or those with poorly controlled blood sugars with type two diabetes
What is gestational diabetes?
It is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy
This will resolve after delivery