Labour and Delivery Flashcards
premature labour
birth before 37 weeks gestation.
Considered viable from 24 weeks
Extreme preterm: <28 weeks
Very preterm: 28-32 weeks
moderate/late preterm: 32-37 weeks
prophylaxis of preterm labour
vaginal progesterone
- decreases activity of myometrium and preventing cervix remodelling
Cervical cerclage
-stitch in cervix to add support and keep it closed
preterm prelabour rupture of membranes
amniotic sac rupture, releasing amniotic fluid, before the onset of labour and in a preterm pregnancy
management; prophylactic Abx (erythromycin)
preterm labour with intact membranes
regular painful contraction and cervical dilatation without rupture of amniotic sac.
management of preterm labour with intact membranes
Fetal monitoring (CTG)
Tocolysis with Nifedipine
Maternal corticosteroids (<36 weeks gestation)
IV magnesium sulphate (<34 week gestation)
Delayed cord clamping
Tcolysis
Using medications to stop uterine contractions.
Nifedipine
-CCB: medication of choice for tocolysis
Atosiban if Nifedipine contraindicated
breech presentation (+types)
presenting part of foetus is legs and bottom
Complete
-legs fully flexed at hips and knees
Incomplete
- one leg flexed at hip and extended at knee
Extended breech
- Frank breech
- Both legs flexed at hip and extended at knee
Footling breech
- foot presenting through cervix with leg extended
management of breech
before 36 weeks
- often turn spontaneously: no breech required
External Cephalic Version
active management of third stage
physiological management
Active management
- dose of intramuscular oxytocin to help uterus contract & careful traction to umbilical cord to guide placenta out of uterus & vagina
amniotic fluid embolism
Rare
Amniotic fluid passes into mother’s blood.
usually occurs around labour and delivery.
Amniotic fluid contains foetal tissue, causing immune reaction from the mother.
presentation of amniotic fluid embolism
SOB hypoxia hypotension coagulopathy haemorrhage tachycardia confusion seizures cardiac arrest
management of amniotic fluid embolism
supportive
ABCDE approach
c-section most common skin incision
transverse lower uterine segment incision
Blunt dissection is used after initial incision with scalpel.
cord prolapse
umbilical cord descends below presenting part of the fetus and through the cervix into the vagina, after rupture of the fetal membranes.
significant danger of presenting part compressing cord, resulting in fetal hypoxia.
cord prolapse risk factor
Abnormal lie after 37 weeks gestation
cord prolapse management
Emergency c-section
Tocolytic medication to minimise contractions whilst waiting for delivery by c-section
oxytocin in labour
stimulate ripening of cervix and contractions of uterus.
Infusions are used to 0induce labour -progress labour -imrpove frequency and strength of uterine contractions -prevent/ treat postpartum haemorrhage
ergometrine in labour
stimulates smooth muscle contraction.
Useful for delivery of the placenta and to reduce postpartum bleeding.
Only used after delivery of baby
prostaglandins in labour
stimulate contraction of uterine muscles
Example: Dinoprostone
Used for induction of labour
nifedipine in labour q
CCB that reduces smooth muscle contraction in blood vessels and the uterus
reduces BP in hypertension and pre-eclampsia
-tocolysis in premature labour
terbutaline in labour
beta-2 agonist
acts on smooth muscle of uterus to suppress uterine contractions
used for tocolysis in uterine hyperstimulation
carboprost in labour
synthetic prostaglandin analogue
Stimulate uterine contractions
AVOID in patients with asthma
given as deep IM injection in postpartum haemorrhage if ergometrine and oxytocin have been inadequate