Labour and Delivery Complications Flashcards
What is the incidence of preterm birth in Canada?
7.7%
What are the risk factors for preterm labour?
Demographic - age, low socioeconomic status, ethnicity
Biophysical - Hx of preterm labour, genetis, uterine/cervical/placenta abnormalities
Current Pregnancy Problems - Multifetal, hydraminous, infections, hypertension in pregnancy, fetal anomalies, PPROM
DOH - tobacco/drug use, violence, excessive physical activity, inadequate weight gain/poor nutrition, stress, inadequate prenatal care
How is preterm labour managed?
Precent in those at risk, eg. progesterone injections
If in preterm labour, take fibronectin assay (24-34 weeks)
Will not stop preterm labour if complications
Meds - tocolytics (up to 32/33 weeks gestation) and corticosteroids (no if >34 weeks)
What should the nurse do with the patient in preterm labour?
Assess contractions and per vagina (PV) loss.
Monitor fetus.
Assess for side effects of meds.
Give betamethasone/dexamethasone to increase lung maturity (if <34 weeks) (MD’s order)
Prepare for a premature birth if labour continues
What is the incidence of post-term labour in Canada?
0.61% (Perinatal health, 2010)
12% (Laedwig, 2014)
What are the possible causes of post-term labour?
Error in determining ovulation and conception
Deficiency in placental estrogen (decrease in prostaglandin & decreased formation of oxytocin receptors in myometrium) & continued secretion of progesterone.
What are some potential problems for the mother in post-term labour?
Psychological stress, induction, dystocia, assisted delivery, perineal trauma (large baby), increased risk of infection and hemorrhage, increased CD, increased DVT’s
What are some potential problems for the baby in post-term labour?
Decreased placental profusion, fetal demise, oligohydramnios, macrosomia, meconiium aspiration syndrome, low apgar, SIDS, injury, CP
What are the medical interventions for post-term labour?
At 41 weeks - daily fetal movement counts. Follow-up biweekly with NST, ultrasound for fetal size and amniotic fluid index (AFI)
Elective induction or wait until 42 weeks
What are maternal conditions that are indications for induction?
Post-term Diabetes Hypertension in pregnancy PROM Chorioamnionitis Previous precipitoous labour and delivery
What are some fetal conditions that are indications for induction?
Intrauterine Growth Retardation Demise Hemolytic disease Macrosomia Mild abruptio placenta
What are some logistical reasons for induction?
Maternal request
Health care delivery reasons
What is the rate of induction in Fraser Health Authority? (percentage)
21% in Fraser Health Authority
How is induction managed in the situation of an unripe cervix?
Prostaglandins E2 - intercervical intravaginal
What is used in the induction of labour in a woman with an unripe cervix?
Cervidil - vaginal insert (10mg)
Cervical ripening balloon
What is used to induce labour in a woman with a ripe cervix?
Sweep of membranes
Amniotomy/ARM
Intravaginal PGE2 gel or IV oxytocin
What bishop’s score is considered a “ripe” cervix?
Bishop’s score of 6 or higher
What is the nurse’s role in an induction?
Baseline assessment - vital signs, leopold’s maneuver, vaginal exam, electronic fetal monitoring (EFM)
Follow MD’s orders/induction protocol
Assess pt and fetus x2 hours
If cervidil/prostaglandins (PGE2), pt may be sent home until active labour begins.
Who initiates an induction?
Induction commenced by MD/midwife
What is the rate of artificial rupture of membranes in canada?
in Canada, 17%
What are the indications for augmentation with oxytocin?
hypotonic (weak) / infrequent contractions, lack of progress (1st or 2nd stage)
What are the indications/effects of ARM?
Usually done with inductions
May shorten labour (increased effectiveness in multips)
Increased pressure on head (caput)
May increase risk of infection and CD
What is the etiology of fetal distress (decreased oxygen)?
Cord compression
Placenta insufficiency
Maternal/fetal/placenta disease or disorder
What are the warning signs of fetal distress?
Meconium stained liquoi, ominous FHR patterns
What are the nursing interventions for fetal distress?
Call code OB
Nursing interventions - discontinue induction, change position to Lt./Rt. lateral, IV bolus, Vag Exam, O2 PRN, decreased maternal anxiety, EFM or internal monitor, assist with fetal scalp blood sample (>7.2), consider amnioinfusion
What are the maternal indications for forceps and vacuum extraction?
Maternal exhaustion
Lack of progress
Health conditions (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension, Heart Disease)
Decreased motor innervation with epidural
What are the fetal indications for forceps and vacuum extraction?
Fetal distress Placenta separation (2nd stage) OP position Macrosomia Breech (after coming head)
What are the maternal risks with forceps?
Tears, hematomas
What are the fetal risks with forceps?
Decreased flexion of head Echymosis Edema Caput Cephalhematoma Paralysis
What is important for the nurse to do after a forceps delivery?
Important to inspect perineum and head for complications
What is the incidence of caesarean delivery in BC? Fraser Health?
- 9% BC
32. 9% FHA
What are factors that influence caesarean delivery rate?
Delayed childbearing Obesity Decreased number of midwives Legalities Decreased skill with breech deliveries VBAC rate Personal requests Inductions
What are the indications for C-section?
Placenta previa Placenta abruptio Prolapsed cord CPD Active herpes Transverse lie Maternal health issues Failure to progress Breech Fetal distress Repeat C-section
What are the different types of incisions in caesarian delivery?
Uterine Cut - Kerr (transverse) or Sellheim (vertical lower segment)
Classic incision (rarely done) - on corpus of uterus (increased ruptures)
Skin cut - Transverse (Pfannenstiel) or vertical
What is the incidence of use of general anesthetic for caesarean delivery?
7.7
What is used for general anesthetic in a caesarean delivery?
Combination of IV and inhalation agents
What are the benefits of general anesthetic in caesarean delivery?
Quick to administer
What are the disadvantages to general anesthetic for caesarean delivery?
Depresses fetal CNS, increased blood loss, maternal vomiting and depressed GI motility
What are the effects of regional anesthesia and analgesia for caesarean and vaginal deliveries (eg. spinals/epidurals)?
Alters motor and sensory function (anesthetic agents)
Prolongs pain relief (post CD (morphine/fentanyl)
Blocks afferent and efferent nerves
What is the incidence of using spinal analgesia/anesthesia for caesarean section?
56.4%
What are the benefits of spinal analgesia/anesthesia for Caesarean delivery?
immediate
small amount of drugs used
some pain relief for apprix. 24 hours after caesarean delivery
What are the disadvantages of spinal analgesia/anesthesia for Caesarean delivery?
Headache (CSF leak)
Decreased BP -> fetal distress
What is the incidence of epidural analgesia/anesthesia in labour and delivery?
47.8%
What are the benefits of epidural analgesia/anesthesia during labour and delivery?
Pain relief for vaginal deliveries
What are the disadvantages of using epidural analgesia/anesthesia labour and delivery?
Approx. 30 minutes to work
Increased drugs required
Hypotension -> fetal distress
What are the benefits of combined spinal-epidural block (CSE)?
For labour/Caesarean delivery
Preserves motor function
Small amount of drugs used