LOs - Definitions

Question 1

Define amniotic fluid embolism

Answer 1

Rare complication of pregnancy where foetal cells/amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream and stimulates a reaction resulting in classical signs/symptoms. (chills, shivering, sweating, cyanosis, hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmia, among others)

Question 2

Define anaemia in pregnancy

Answer 2

NICE uses the following cut-offs to determine whether mother needs oral iron therapy

First trimester (w1-12)
•	<110 g/L (or <11g/dL)
Second trimester (w13-26)
•	<105 g/L (or <10.5g/dL)
Third trimester (w27-EOP/PP)
•	<100 g/L (or <10g/dL)

Question 3

Define Asherman’s Syndrome

Answer 3

Formation of scar tissue (adhesions) inside the uterus

Question 4

Define (or general describe) asthma in pregnancy

Answer 4

Pregnancy can make symptoms more obvious but with good management of pre-existing asthma (or new mild asthma that only becomes evident because of physical stress of pregnancy) it doesn’t affect pregnancy.

Question 5

Define atrophic vaginitis

Answer 5

Dryness and atrophy of the vaginal mucosa related to a lack of oestrogen, mostly occurring in women entering menopause/post-menopausal women

Question 6

Define Bartholin’s Cyst/Abscess

Answer 6

Swollen and tender Bartholin’s glands = Bartholin’s cyst

If a Bartholin’s cyst becomes infected = Bartholin’s abscess

Question 7

Define cardiac disease in pregnancy

Answer 7

Cardiac disease in the mother present before becoming pregnant. Can include congenital defects. Asymptomatic conditions can become symptomatic during pregnancy (and symptomatic conditions become worse) due to increased cardiac strain so goal of management during pregnancy is to keep cardiac strain low and thus minimise symptoms.

Question 8

Define cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)

Answer 8

Cervical cancer – cancer of the cervix

CIN – cervical intraepithelial neoplasia – the abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix that could potentially lead to cervical cancer.

Question 9

Define the 3 types of depression in pregnancy

Answer 9

Postpartum mental health problems

• Baby blues
• Postnatal depression
• Puerperal psychosis