labor and delivery complications Flashcards
How is a breech presentation confirmed?
by examination and ultrasound
a 20-year-old G2P1 female with gestational diabetes and a pre-pregnancy BMI of 43 presents to her obstetrician in labor. Although the labor originally progresses without complications, delivery becomes stalled as the patient attempts to push the child’s shoulders through the vagina. The head delivers, then suddenly retracts against the pelvis. It will not budge despite maternal pushing and firm downward pressure on the head.
What is the likely issue?
dystocia or obstructed labor
what is obstructed labor?
when the baby does not exit the pelvis during childbirth due to being physically blocked despite the uterus contracting normally
What is the one major complication associated with dystocia?
not getting enough oxygen which obviously can result in death
What is the mother at risk for if she is having an obstructed birth?
increases the risk of getting an infection, having uterine rupture, or having post-partum bleeding.
What are the main causes of having obstructed labor?
- large or abnormally positioned baby
- Small pelvis
- problems with the birth canal
What are the categories of dystocia?
- Problems of power- uterine contractions
- problems of passenger- presentation, size (macrosomia) or position of the fetus (shoulder dystocia)
- Problems of passage- uterus or soft tissue abnormalities
Describe shoulder dystocia?
failure of the shoulders to deliver spontaneously after delivery of the fetal head
- one or both shoulder lodged at pubic symphysis with the delivery of the head
- This is an obstetric emergency
How do you dx obstructed labor?
usually just based off of physical exam
What sign during birth can you see that would indicate obstructed birth?
Turtle sign- retraction of the delivered head against the maternal perineum
What is the treatment for obstructed labor?
before resulting to surgery changing the posture of the mother can help progress the labor process
Tx for shoulder dystocia?
- First line is non-manipulative maneuver
a. suprapubic pressure
b. flexion of maternal hips (Mcroberts Maneuver) - Manipulative maneuvers
a. Rotation of fetal shoulders 180 degress (woods corkscrew)
b. Delivery of posterior arm - Emergent cesarean section
a. Pushing the fetal head back into the vaginal canal with immediate transport to cesarean section (Zavanelli maneuver)
What is the normal fetal HR?
120-160
What would classify as a good/ reactive nonstress test (NST)
> 2 accelerations in 20 minutes defined by increased fetal heart rate of at least 15 bpm from baseline lasting >15 seconds
What would indicate a bad or nonreactive stress test
no fetal heart rate accelerations or < 15bpm increase lasting < 15 seconds
What should you do if you have a nonreactive stress test. i.e whats the next step?
do a contraction stress test