MALPRESENTATION IN LABOUR Flashcards
What do we mean by malpresentation towards the end of pregnancy?
Any presentation other than a vertex presentation.
What is the vertex in terms of presentation of the fetus?
The vertex is the area between parietal eminences and the anterior and posterior fontanelles. The fetus will have its neck flexed with its chin tucked into its chest.
What are the different types of malpresentation?
Breech
Shoulder
Face
Brow
Transverse
What are the maternal causes and risk factors of malpresentation?
Contraction of the pelvis
Pelvic tumour eg fibroid
Mullerian abnormality
Multiparity
What are the fetoplacental causes and risk factors of malpresentation?
Prematurity
Placenta praevia
Polyhydramnios
Multiple pregnancy
Fetal abnormality
Fetal anomaly: Hydrocephalus Extension of fetal head by neck tumours Anencephaly Decreased fetal tone
What is the most common type of malpresentation?
Breech
What is the most important risk factor for breech presentation?
Prematurity
What is the incidence of breech presentation in term babies?
3%
What is the incidence of breech presentation in babies who are born at 32 weeks?
15%
What is the incidence of breech presentation in babies who are born at 28 weeks?
25%
What are the three main types of breech presentation? Describe each one.
Extended or frank breech presentation - hips are flexed and the knees are extended with feet situated adjacent to the head.
Flexed or complete breech presentation - flexion at both the hips and knees with feet at same level as breech
Footline breech presentation - flexion at both hips and knees but with feet present to the maternal pelvis not the breech
What is the most common type of breech presentation?
Extended or frank breech - 50%
If there is doubt about malpresentation from palpation what should be done for the patient?
Ultrasound to confirm
What are the complications associated with breech presentations at labour?
Increased perinatal mortality and morbidity - usually associated with delivering the head once the rest has delivered.
Intracranial injury - no time for head moulding as head will compress cord
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Cord prolapse
Spinal cord injury
Adrenal haemorrhage
Fractures of clavicle or humerus
What is a nuchal arms delivery?
This is when the arms get trapped up along with the head and allows for even less space through the pelvis.
What are the three management options for a breech presentation?
External cephalic version (ECV)
Elective caesarian section
Planned vaginal breech delivery
What is external cephalic version?
This is an attempt to turn the baby inside the womb to cephalic presentation, by massaging the fetus first into transverse lie and then rolling over into the cephalic presentation.