High Yield Obs and Gynae Flashcards
Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy?
damage to tubes (salpingitis, surgery)
previous ectopic
IVF (3% of pregnancies are ectopic)
What is placental abruption? Key clinical features?
Placental abruption is separation of a normally sited placenta from the uterine wall, resulting in maternal haemorrhage into the intervening space
Clinical features:
shock out of keeping with visible blood loss
constant pain
tender, tense uterus
normal lie and presentation
fetal heart: absent/distressed
coagulation problems
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the developing fetus.
Give some causes of a raised AFP
Neural tube defects (meningocele, myelomeningocele and anencephaly)
Abdominal wall defects (omphalocele and gastroschisis)
Multiple pregnancy
Give some causes of a low AFP
Down’s syndrome
Trisomy 18
Maternal diabetes mellitus
How does placenta praevia present?
shock in proportion to visible loss
no pain , uterus not tender
lie and presentation may be abnormal
fetal heart usually normal
coagulation problems rare , small bleeds before large
Define antepartum haemorrhage
bleeding after 24 weeks
What are the main risk factors for breech presentation?
uterine malformations, fibroids
placenta praevia
polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios
fetal abnormality
prematurity
How should breech presentations be managed?
if < 36 weeks: many fetuses will turn spontaneously
> 36 weeks (or 37 weeks if multiparous) :external cephalic version (ECV)
if the baby is still breech then delivery options include planned caesarean section or vaginal delivery
What are the contraindications to ECV (pressure applied to abdomen to try and turn the baby)?
where caesarean delivery is required
antepartum haemorrhage within the last 7 days
abnormal cardiotocography
major uterine anomaly
ruptured membranes
multiple pregnancy
What are Category 1 C sections?
an immediate threat to the life of the mother or baby
examples indications include: suspected uterine rupture, major placental abruption, cord prolapse, fetal hypoxia or persistent fetal bradycardia
delivery of the baby should occur within 30 minutes of making the decision
What are Category 2 C sections?
maternal or fetal compromise which is not immediately life-threatening
delivery of the baby should occur within 75 minutes of making the decision
What are Category 3 and 4 C sections?
3 = delivery is required, but mother and baby are stable
4 = elective
What is normal fetal heart rate?
100-160 / min
What is fetal baseline bradycardia?
Heart rate < 100 /min
Causes: Increased fetal vagal tone, maternal beta-blocker use
What is fetal baseline tachycardia?
Heart rate > 160 /min
Causes: Maternal pyrexia, chorioamnionitis, hypoxia, prematurity
What are early decelerations?
Deceleration of the heart rate which commences with the onset of a contraction and returns to normal on completion of the contraction
Usually indicates head compression
What are late decelerations?
Deceleration of the heart rate which lags the onset of a contraction and does not return to normal until after 30 seconds following the end of the contraction
Indicates fetal distress e.g. asphyxia or placental insufficiency
What are variable decelerations?
Independent of contractions
May indicate cord compression
How does Down’s syndrome present on the combined test?
↑ HCG, ↓ PAPP-A, thickened nuchal translucency
What is pre-eclampsia?
condition seen after 20 weeks gestation
triad:
pregnancy-induced hypertension (140/90)
proteinuria
oedema
eclampsia is pre-eclampsia + seizures
How should eclampsia be managed?
in eclampsia an IV bolus of magnesium sulphate (4g over 5-10 minutes) should be given followed by an infusion of 1g / hour
urine output, reflexes, respiratory rate and oxygen saturations should be monitored during tx
tx should continue for 24 hours after last seizure or delivery
What are the risks of sodium valproate and phenytoin in pregnancy?
sodium valproate: associated with neural tube defects
phenytoin: associated with cleft palate
How can neural tube defects be prevented during pregnancy?
all women should take 400mcg of folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy
women at higher risk of conceiving a child with a NTD should take 5mg of folic acid from before conception until the 12th week of pregnancy
Which women should take more folic acid?
M = Metabolic conditions e.g. T1DM, coeliacs
O = Obesity (BMI>30)
R = Relative (PMHx)
E = epilepsy (on anti-epileptics)
Causes of placental abruption?
A = Abruption previously
B = Blood pressure (i.e. hypertension or pre-eclampsia)
R = Ruptured membranes, either premature or prolonged
U = Uterine injury (i.e. trauma to the abdomen);
P = Polyhydramnios
T = Twins or multiple gestation
I = Infection in the uterus, especially chorioamnionitis
O = Older age (over 35 years old)
N = Narcotic use
Give some risk factors for gestational diabetes
BMI of > 30 kg/m²
previous macrosomic baby weighing 4.5 kg or above
previous gestational diabetes
first-degree relative with diabetes
family origin with a high prevalence of diabetes (South Asian, black Caribbean and Middle Eastern)
What is used to screen for gestational diabetes?
OGTT
women who’ve previously had gestational diabetes: OGTT should be performed as soon as possible after booking and at 24-28 weeks if the first test is normal
women with risk factors: 24-28 weeks
What is diagnostic for gestational diabetes?
fasting glucose is >= 5.6 mmol/L
2-hour glucose is >= 7.8 mmol/L
How should pre existing diabetes be managed in pregnancy?
weight loss for women with BMI of > 27 kg/m2
stop oral hypoglycaemic agents (bar metformin) and commence insulin, ensure tight glycaemic control
folic acid 5 mg/day from pre-conception to 12 weeks gestation
detailed anomaly scan at 20 weeks including four-chamber view of the heart and outflow tracts
treat retinopathy as can worsen during pregnancy
Benzylpenicillin is the antibiotic of choice for Group B Strep intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). Who should be offered it?
women with a previous baby with GBS disease
women in preterm labour
women with a pyrexia during labour (>38ºC)
women who’ve had GBS detected in a previous pregnancy should be offered (IAP) OR testing in late pregnancy and then antibiotics if still positive
What is HELLP syndrome? How should it be managed?
Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and a Low Platelet count
Features:
nausea & vomiting
right upper quadrant pain
lethargy
Mx = delivery of the baby