Labor Flashcards
When to deliver CS if multiple pregnancy?
if the first twin is in the breech position, placenta previa, and pregnancy greater than three. If the twins are mono zygotic (not an absolute C/I).
intrapartum risks for multiple pregnancy
malpresentation, fetal hypoxia, cord prolapse, operative delivery, post-partum heamorrhage
rare: cord entanglement (MCMA) ]head entrapment, fetal exsanguination due to vasa praevia.
When are twins induced?
38 weeks gestation
What is the workup before induction of labour in a twin pregnancy?
- IV access and group and save
- set up the CTG- fetal monitoring (aviod hypoxia in the second twin)
- epidural consent
- get the labour in theatre
Management of labour in a twin delivery
- support mother
- monitor both fetuses (scalp probe and abdominally)
- after delivery of the first baby, the second twin is stabilised and VE preformed
- twin is delivered within 20 minutes of the first
- use oxytocin after the first twin
- breech extraction
causes of breech presentation
idiopathic preterm delivery previous breech presentation uterine abnormalities (fibriods) placenta pravia fetal abnormalities multiple pregnancy
complications of breech presentation
increased risk of hypoxia and trauma in labor.
when you can diagnose breech presentation
36 weeks and the lie can be palpated and presenting part is not hard and fetal heart is heard high up on the uterus.
External cephalic version
preformed at 36 wks in nulliparous and 37 wks in multiparous ones, success rate 50%
complications are pain, placental abruption and fetomaternal hemorrhage.
increasing the success of EC version
tocolysis- causes tachycardia
contraindications of ECV
CS already indicated, antpartum heamorrhage, fetal compromise, oligohydramnios, rheus immunisation, and pre-eclampsia.
ideal vaginal delivery for breech
fetus is not compromised, fetal weight is less then 4kg, spontaneous onset of labour, extended breech presentation, non-extended neck.
delivery technique breech
lovset’s manoevre
preterm labour
delivery less than 34 weeks
complications of preterm labour
cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness
risk factors for preterm delivery
previous preterm delivery or late miscariiage, multiple pregnamcy, LLETZ procedure or cervical surgery, uterine anomalies, medical conditions, pre-eclamplsia and IUGR.
Acute pre-term labour associated with?
cervical weakness- triad- increased vaginal discharge, mild abdominal pain, and bulging membranes. infection, inflammation and abruption.
What to ask in the history of preterm labour?
apin and contraction (onset, freq, duration, and severity
vaginal loss: SROM or PV bleed
obs history
examination in preterm labour
maternal pulse, temp, RR
uterine tenderness (infection, abruption)
fetal presentation
speculum blood discharge, liquor take swabs
gentle VE
investigations in preterm labour
FBC and CRP (raised in infection)
swabs and MSU
USS for fetal presentation and estimated fetal weight
fetal fibronectin or tranvaginal USS
management of preterm labour
Is it threatened or real labour
admit if high risk
inform the neonatal unit
arrange in utero transfer
check fetal presentation with USS
steroids 12 mg betametasone IM two doses 12 hours apart.
consider tocolysis- to prevent labour and delivery, but for greater than 24hrs.
liason with senior obs and peads (23-26wk) clear plan mode of delivery, monitoring in labour, and presence of specialist at delivery. give IV antibiotics, but only if labour is confirmed.
how to establish if it is real or threatened preterm labour
tranvaginal cervical length scan (greater than 15 mm unlikely)
fibronectin assay negative unlikely to labour).
Antenatal steroids which dose and why useful
betamatasone IM two doses 24 hrs apart
reduce the rates of resp. distress, intraventricular heamorrhage and neonatal death.
how to prevent preterm labour
treat bacterial vaginaosis, progesterone in high risk woman or woman with a short cervix surgical sutures (cerclage)