Complicated OB Part 1 Flashcards
What does ECV stand for?
- External Cephalic Version
- A maneuver to rotate the fetus to a better position for delivery.
- Converts breech/shoulder presentation to vertex
Define Antepartum
Conception to the onset of labor
Define Intrapartum
Onset of labor to delivery of the placenta
What does PPROM stand for?
Preterm Premature Rupture of Membrane
What does PPH stand for?
Post Partum Hemorrhage
What is the optimal timing to perform an ECV?
- 36-37 weeks
- Unlikely to revert back to breach presentation after 37 weeks
What agent is needed before attempting ECV?
- Tocolytic agent (Terbutaline/NTG)
- Tocolytic agents are drugs that can slow or stop uterine contractions during pregnancy to prevent preterm labor.
What maternal factor will decrease the rate of success of an ECV?
Maternal pain
What factors contribute to a successful ECV?
- Neuraxial analgesia/ anesthesia
- SAB w/ bupivacaine 2.5-7.5 mg w/ or w/o opioids
- CSE/ epidurals
- T6 dermatome level analgesia
Be prepare for urgent C-section d/t placental abruption, preterm labor, non-reassuring fetal heart tones
What is placenta previa?
When the cervical os is partially or totally covered by the placenta.
What are the four types of placenta previa?
- Low lying: does not infringe on cervical os
- Marginal: touches but not covering top of cervix
- Partial: partially covers cervix
- Complete: covers top of cervix completely
What are risk factors for placenta previa?
- Advanced maternal age
- Multiparity
- Hx of smoking
- Prev. C-section/ uterine sx
- Previous placenta previa
At what age is a woman considered to be advanced maternal age?
35
What is the most common way placenta previa is diagnosed?
- Transvaginal US assessment or MRI
- Measures distance from the placental edge to the internal os
Can placenta previa be assessed and diagnosed by a vaginal exam?
- No
- Difficult to assess with complete placenta previa
What is the classical sign of placenta previa?
- PAINLESS vaginal bleeding in 2nd/3rd trimester
- Bleeding may stop spontaneously
- May be sudden & severe
Anticipated management of placenta previa in a preterm if bleeding is controlled.
- Anticipate early delivery, but the priority is to maintain fetal viability inside the womb
- Administration of tocolytics (Tertbuline), decrease contractions
- Betamethasone to promote fetal lung maturity
Anticipated management of placenta previa in a preterm if bleeding is uncontrolled and ongoing.
C-section
Due to the high liability of obstetric anesthesia, explain the setup for a placenta previa exam.
- Double setup exam (examination and emergent C-section)
- All team members present
- Patient prepped for C-section delivery
- Vaginal exam performed in OR
Anesthesia Considerations for Antepartum Hemorrhage
- Early Pre-op
- Type & Cross
- 2 large bore IVs
- Fluid warmer
- Bair hugger
Define Abruptio Placentae
- Placental Abruption
- Premature separation of the placenta (complete/partial), causes bleeding from uterus and placenta
Placenta abruption will prevent _________ of vessels → results in continued bleeding and hematoma formation.
Constriction
Placental abruption will lead to reduced _______ d/t loss of placental-uterine surface area.
Gas Exchange
Reduce gas exchange from placental abruption will result in:
- Fetal distress → Fetal Asphyxia
- Bradycardia
- Late or variable decels
- Decrease/ absent variabilty
Risk Factors for Placental Abruption
- Advanced maternal age
- Multiparity
- HTN
- Cocaine Abuse
- Smoking
- Trauma
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Pre-eclampsia
- Chorioamnionitis
What is the classic sign for placental abruption?
- PAINFUL vaginal bleeding
- Hypertonic uterus (frequent contractions)
- Uterus tender to touch
- Vaginal bleeding absent d/t hemotoma in concealed abruption
- Couvelaire Uterus
What is a Couvelaire Uterus?
- Blood is forced through the uterine wall into the serosa.
- This bleeding can then force its way into the peritoneal cavity, causing the uterus to become rigid and tense.
What is the primary risk to the mother from placental abruption?
- Hypovolemia
- Hemorrhagic Shock
Consumptive coagulopathy is caused by:
- Activation of circulating plasminogen
- Placental thromboplastin
How is Placental Abruption diagnosed?
- Clinical presentation (painful vaginal bleeding)
- US guidance
OB treatment of Placental Abruption depends on what factors?
- Amount of blood loss
- Fetal status
Regarding volume status and circulation, placental abruption can result in these three problems.
- Massive blood loss
- Coagulopathy
- Uterine Atony
What are the most common causes of uterine rupture?
- Trauma
- Uterine scar from previous C-section
- Rapid progression of labor
- Prolonged labor w/ induction (Pitocin)
- Weakened uterine musculature (high gravida)
- Forcep-assisted delivery
Uterine rupture is most commonly associated with ____________.
TOLAC (Trial of Labor after Cesarean)
Uterine rupture at this site will result with the most significant morbidity/ mortality.
- Rupture at a uterine incision scar.
- This site is more vascular and is also the place of placental implantation
What is the most consistent clinical feature of uterine rupture?
Signs and symptoms of uterine rupture.
- Fetal bradycardia (most consistent feature)
- Vaginal bleed
- Severe abdominal pain (tearing)
- Shoulder pain
- Hypotension
How much is uterine blood flow at term?
700-900 mL/min
Uterine rupture requires ___________ operative delivery.
Emergent
Anesthesia management of uterine rupture.
- Situational, but GETA most common
- In situ epidural
- SAB not likely d/t problematic FHT/ hemorrhage
- Maternal status (hypovolemia/ change in LOC)
- Blood/ fluid warmer
- Get Help
What is the most common cause of maternal mortality worldwide?
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Differentiate b/w primary and secondary PPH.
- Primary: PPH within 24 hours of delivery. Higher maternal morbidity and mortality.
- Secondary: 24 hours - 6 weeks postpartum (slow bleeds → septic)
ACOG Definition of PPH
- Blood loss > 1000 mL
- Blood loss w/ signs and sx of hypovolemia within 24h of delivery
Causes of PPH
- Uterine atony (80%, most common)
- Retained placenta
- Cervical/ vaginal lacerations
What is the cause of uterine atony?
Failed release of endogenous uterotonic agents
What are the uterotonic agents?
- Oxytocin
- Prostaglandin
Uterine atony symptoms
- Soft, boggy, oversized, and poorly contracting uterus
- Painless vaginal bleeding
- Atonic uterus may hold >1000 mL of blood
- Tachycardia/ Hypotension → Hypovolemia
Uterine Atony management
- Prevention first, then treatment
- Active management in 3rd stage of labor
- Uterine massage
- Oxytocin administration
First-line treatment for uterine atony?
Oxytocin (Pitocin) - synthetic agent
Half-life of oxytocin
3-5 minutes
Dosing of Oxytocin for active management of 3rd stage of labor and prevention of uterine atony. Option 1
- 20 U in 1000 mL NS
- Bolus 1000 mL over 30 minutes
- Give a second bag at a maintenance dose at 125 mL/hr
Dosing of Oxytocin for active management of 3rd stage of labor and prevention of uterine atony. Option 2
- 30 U in 500 mL NS
- Bolus 334 mL over 30 minutes
- Maintenance dose at 95 mL/hr
Dosing of Oxytocin for active management of 3rd stage of labor and prevention of uterine atony. Option 3
- 10 units IM
Dosing of Oxytocin for active management of 3rd stage of labor and prevention of uterine atony. Option 4 (Rule of 3)
- 3 units IV loading dose over 20-30 seconds
- Initiate infusion 3 units/hr ( x 5 hrs)
- Assess uterine q 3 minutes
- Inadequate uterine tone → give 3 units IV rescue dose
- May repeat rescue dose x 1
Dosing of Oxytocin for active management of 3rd stage of labor and prevention of uterine atony. Option 5
- 30 units in 500 mL
- Infuse 300 mL/hr (18U/hr) - prevention of atony
- Infuse 600 mL/hr (36U/hr) - management of atony
- May increase to 900 mL/hr (54U/hr)
What are side effects associated with Oxytocin?
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension
- Coronary vasoconstriction / myocardial ischemia
- Hyponatremia
- Seizures → coma
What is the second line agent for uterine atony?
Methylergonovine (Methergine) - Ergot Alkaloid
What receptors does Methergine work on?
- Partial agonist at alpha-adrenergic receptor
- Tryptaminergic receptor
- Dopaminergic receptor
Dose of Methergine
0.2 mg Intramuscular (medication needs to be refrigerated)
NOT GIVEN IV, you will kill your patient