Labour and Delivery Flashcards

1
Q

Outline the physiology of labor

A
  • Fetus HPA axis ↑ (↑ CRH, ↑ ACTH, ↑ glucocorticoids + androgens)
  • This decreases progesterone (less inhibition of myometrial contractions/sensation) and increases oestrogen (more prostaglandins)
  • These prostaglandins cause sofening of the cervix, and increased sensitivity to oxytocin
  • In response to stretching of the cervix/vagina, oxytocin is released, which is picked up by the uterus and contractions begin
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2
Q

Define labor (in the medical sense)

A

Onset of painful, regular contractions with progressive cervical effacement (WIT?) and dilation.

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3
Q

Define the three stages of labour

A

First: onset -> full dilation (??cm)
Second: full dilation -> birth
Third: birth -> delivery of placenta

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4
Q

How should a woman’s contractions change throughout labour?

A

They should become progressively longer and more intense, with decreasing time between (down to around ~2/3 minutes towards the end)

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5
Q

What does a cardiotocograph represent?

A
  • Fetal heartbeat & duration of uterine contractions
  • Provides real-time updates on both
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6
Q

Describe monitoring/respective freq during pregnancy

A
  • Every 15min: mum and baby’s heart rate
  • Every 30min: palpate strength of contractions
  • Every 60min: Mum’s BP and temp
  • Every 4 hours: vaginal exam
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7
Q

What are we checking for on a vaginal exam during the first stage of childbirth?

A
  • Check liquor (what is this? what do we expect)
  • Position of baby
  • Station (WIT?)
  • Caput (WIT?)
  • Moulding (WIT?)
  • Cervical dilation
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8
Q

What is meant by station, caput, and moulding during pregnancy?

A
  • Station: “altitude” of head relative to ischial spines (negative is superior, positive is inferior). Imagine a series of stations along the female anatomy, like everest.
  • Caput: swelling/oedema of scalp during birth (why would we assess for this?)
  • Moulding: overlap of skull bones as head passes through the birth canal
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9
Q

True or false: CTG tells us foetal heart rate, and strength/duration of uterine contractions

A
  • False
  • It only shows duration and foetal heart rate (NOT strength!)
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10
Q

Why is it uncommon to use general anaesthetic in labour?

A
  • Higher rates of post-partum haemorrhage
  • GA drugs pass through placenta (baby is also asleep)
  • Intubation is harder in pregnancy (?airway swelling)
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11
Q

What kinds of analgesics can we use during labour (first stage of pregnancy)?

A
  • Hot packs (what contraindicates this? Why?)
  • Movement/changing position
  • Water immersion
  • N2O2 gas (N. Oxide)
  • Fentanyl
  • Rarely IV analgesia
  • Epidural/spinal block (what’s the difference?)
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12
Q

What are the four Ps to consider during the second stage of childbirth?

A
  • Power (how hard are contractions?)
  • Passage (how big is the pelvic canal?)
  • Passenger (how big is the baby?)
  • Pysche (mindset of mother; how are they coping?)
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13
Q

What are the signs of separation of the placenta from the uterine lining?

A
  • Uterine contraction
  • Separation bleed
  • Apparent lengthening of the cord
  • Bulging of labia
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14
Q

Describe the two kinds of placental delivery (?timeframes)

A

Active (normal is less than 30min):
- Oxytocin given w/ anterior shoulder
- Once contracted, controlled cord traction

Physiological (normal is less than 60mins):
- Placenta is passed spontaneously
- Can assist by getting baby to latch on to breast

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15
Q

What is labor dystocia? What are some ways we can manage it?

A
  • Prolonged/abnormal progression of labour
  • (1st: do dilation >4hrs; 2nd: >3hrs first birth, >2 for P1+)
  • Can be managed through analgesia/observation, induction of labour (membrane rupture), oxytocin infusion, or operative birth
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16
Q

What are some manual ways to assist in delivery of a child?

A
  • Manual rotation
  • Suction cup (vacuum)
  • Forceps
  • Episiotomy (where is this cut made?)
17
Q

Risks of vacuum/forceps during delivery

A

Both: cephalohematoma, increased risk of perineal trauma/episiotomy extension

Vacuum: Subgaleal haemorrhage

Forceps: facial/brachial palsy, skull fractures

Indications: fetal distress, maternal exhaustion, failure to progress to second stage

18
Q

What are non-elective indications for caesarean section?

A
  • Fetal distress
  • Cord prolapse
  • Malpresentation
  • Antepartum/intrapartum haemorrhage
  • Maternal effort contraindicated (e.g. cerebral aneurysm)
19
Q

Elective indications for caesarean

A
  • Placenta praevia
  • True cephalopelvic disproportoin
  • Severe growth restriction
  • Twins
  • Request
20
Q

Risk factors/causes/Fx of obstructed labor

A
  • Risks: pelvic fractures, fetal macrosomia
  • Causes: malpresentation (WIT?), cephalopelvic disproportion
  • Fx: maternal haematuria, failing to descend, caput/moulding, abnormal labor progress
21
Q

What is fetal distress? What causes it? How do we treat it?

A
  • It’s when the baby is deprived or suspected to be deprived of oxygen during labour
  • Can be caused by cord compression, maternal hypotension, hyperstimulation
  • Managed with fluids (through umbilical vein), position change, surgical delivery, or anti-tocolytics (What are these?)
22
Q

Quantify post-partum haemorrhage? What are the 4 Ts of post-partum haemorrhage?

A

Definition ~500mL blood loss during vaginal, 1L Caesarean

  • Tone (no tone; give manual massage + oxytocin)
  • Trauma (sew up, or may need surgery)
  • Tissue (treat w/ uterine evacuation)
  • Thrombin (DIC; replace coagulation factors)
23
Q

What is the most common cause of uterine inversion? How do we treat it?

A
  • Most often cuased by cord traction before uterus is contracted
  • Treat by pushing it back in, and leaving hand in until the uterus has contracted
24
Q

What are the four degrees of perineal tear?

A

First: injury of vagina/vulva only
Second: perineum too, but not anal sphincter
Third: includes anal sphincter
Fourth: also includes anal/rectal mucosa

25
Q

List common complications of labour

A
  • Obstructed labour
  • Fetal distress
  • PPH (WIT?)
  • Cord prolapse
  • Shoudler dystocia
  • Uterine inversion
  • Perineal tears
26
Q

True or false: face presentation is an indication for caesarean section

A

True. Almost all such babies are delivered this way.

27
Q

Rx for pre-term birth

A
  • Antibiotics (prevent infection)
  • Steroids (fetal lung maturation)
28
Q

Latent vs active labour

A

Latent: up to 4cm
Advice: 4-10cm

Mother is only actively pushing in active labour

29
Q

Passive vs active delivery

A

Passive: not actively pushing (such as initial epidural descent)
Active: repetitive valsalva menouevre

30
Q

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

A
  • Body “practicing” for true labour
  • Does not increase in freq, duration, intensity
  • No cervical changes
31
Q

Why is skin to skin contact after birth important?

A
  • Increased chance of normal breastfeeding
  • Maintains neonatal BGL + vitals
  • Improved maternal mental health
32
Q

Do we clamp the umbilical cord straight away? Why?

A
  • Not any more (I was ahead of the curve)
  • Leave for 1-3 minutes
  • Shown to decrease chances of iron deficiency and anaemia