Labor and Delivery Complications Flashcards
1
Q
What is considered preterm labor?
A
- prior to 37 wks
- MC cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in US
- regular uterine contractions assoc with cervical change
2
Q
RFs for preterm labor?
A
- multiple gestation
- prior preterm birth
- preterm uterine contractions
- PROM
- low maternal prepregnancy wt
- smoking
- substance abuse
- short interpregnancy interval
- infection (UTI, genital tract, periodontal disease)
3
Q
PP of preterm labor?
A
- activation of maternal or fetal HPA axis due to maternal or fetal stress - stress onset of physiologic initiators
- deciual-choioamniotic or systemic inflammation caused by infection: uterine or systemic infection and release of inflammatory cytokines
- decidual hemorrhage: abruption
- pathologic uterine distenstion: multiple preg, polyhydramnios, uterine abnormality
4
Q
What are signs and sxs of preterm labor?
A
- menstrual like cramps
- low, dull backache
- abdominal pressure
- pelvic pressure
- abdominal cramping w/ or w//o diarrhea
- increase or change in vaginal d/c (mucous, water, light bloody d/c)
- uterine contractions (may be painless)
5
Q
Pt eval for preterm labor?
A
- fetal monitoring
- UA, test for Group B strep, CBC
- US:
eval amt of amniotic fluid, est cervical length if less than 26 wks - amniocentesis:
not a routine test, can determine intramniotic infection, may be used to determine fetal lung maturity
6
Q
Management of preterm labor?
A
- primary goal is to delay delivery until fetal maturity is attained
- detection and tx of disorder assoc with preterm labor
- therapy for preterm labor
7
Q
What are the meds used in preterm labor?
A
- tocolytics: meds to stop preterm labor CCBs (nifedipine) NSAIDs (indocin) B-adrenergoc receptor agonists (terbutaline) Mg sulfate
8
Q
CIs to tocolytics?
A
- advanced labor
- mature fetus
- severely abnormal fetus or fetal demise
- intrauterine infection
- significant vaginal bleeding
- severe preeclampsia or eclampsia
- placental abruption
- advanced cervical dilation
- fetal compromise
- placental insufficiency
9
Q
When are corticosteroids used? Why are they used?
A
- from 24-34 wks
- corticosteroids given to mother to enhance fetal lung maturity
- max benefit if given w/in 7 days of delivery
- dosing over 48 hrs
- reduces:
fetal respiratory distress
intraventricular hemorrhage
necrotizing enterocolitis
10
Q
What is group B strep? When is this screened for?
A
- genital tract colonization of 15-40% of preg. women
- universal screening for GBS b/t 35-36 wks gestation
- if positive administer abx prophylaxis in labor or with PROM
- or if preg mother has had prior infant with GBS infection
11
Q
Meds for GBS abx prophylaxis?
A
- PCN G 5 mill U UV followed by 2.5-3 million U q 4 hrs until delivery
- best if given 4 hrs prior to delivery
- if PCN allergy then:
cefazolin (in no h/o anaphylaxis to PCN)
or clindamycin
or vancomycin
12
Q
Why is tx GBS so impt?
A
- prevents group B sepsis of neonate
- in mother: prevents postpartum endometritis, sepsis and rare cases meningitis
- may have asx bacturia during pregnancy and that should be tx
13
Q
What is dystocia?
A
- abnormal progression of labor or also referred to as failure to progress
- leading indication for c-section
- defined as lack of progressive cervical dilation of lack of descent of fetal head in birth canal or both
14
Q
Eval of labor: why is there dystocia?
A
- is uterus contracting accurately (need internal monitor)
- what is fetal position?
- is there indication of cephalopelvic disproportion?
- what is fetal status? FHR
- is there concern for chorioamnionitis - fever, abdominal pain, or foul smelling amniotic fluid?
15
Q
Normal progression of labor?
A
- cervix should dilate:
1 cm/hr in nulliparous
1.5 cm/hr in multiparous
fetus should descend at least 1 cm/hr:
- shouldn’t be longer than 3 hrs if regional anesthesia
- shouldn’t be longer than 2 hrs if no anesthesia
- 2nd stage arrest is no descent after 1 hr of pushing