Medications used in Labour Flashcards

1
Q

Contraindications to induction of labour

A
Absaloute 
- abnormal lie
- known pelvic obstruction such as tumour or large ovarian cyst
- placenta praevia
- foetal distress
Relative 
- Previous C section (risk of rupture of uterus due to scar)
- asthma
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2
Q

Why is asthma a relative contraindication to IOL?

A

Prostaglandins (including PGE2 analogues) can cause respiratory smooth muscle contraction

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3
Q

Function of prostaglandin analogues

A

Encourage cervical dilatation and effacement = ripen the cervix

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4
Q

Possible results of prostaglandin analogues

A
Contractions
Severe contractions/hypertonic uterus 
Pyrexia
Nausea and vomiting
Bowel upset
Hypotension
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5
Q

Function of oxytocin

A

Initiates uterine contraction by attaching to uterine oxytocin receptors; increases the frequency and force of contractions

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6
Q

When is oxytocin used in IOL?

A

After prostaglandin treatment once amniotomy Is performed

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7
Q

Risks of oxytocin in IOL

A

Uterine hypertonicity
Hypotension
Hyponatraemia

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8
Q

When is augmentation of labour required?

A

When contractions reduce in frequency and strength in active labour, even after spontaneous onset of labour

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9
Q

What is used in the augmentation of labour?

A

Oxytocin

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10
Q

What does active management of stage 3 of labour involve?

A
  1. Early clamping and cutting of umbilical cord
  2. Use of uterotonic medications (pharmacological management)
  3. Delivery of the placenta by controlled cord traction
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11
Q

Medications used in the active management of the third stage

A

Syntometrine

Oxytocin

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12
Q

What is syntometrine?

A

A combination of oxytocin and ergometrine

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13
Q

What does ergometrine do?

A

Causes smooth muscle (uterine) contraction

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14
Q

Management of PPH

A
Physical interventions
- rubbing up a contraction 
- bimanual compression 
Surgical interventions
Pharmacological interventions
- Oxytocin 
- syntometrine or ergometrine alone
- carboprost 
- misoprostol 
- tranexamic acid (if others arents working)
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15
Q

Function of tocolysis

A

To inhibit uterine contractions

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16
Q

When in preterm labour, what must be given ASAP?

17
Q

Why would tocolysis be used?

A
  1. Facilitate transfer of women in labour to another hospital, particularly in a hospital with an appropriate neonatal unit
  2. To give steroid treatment enough time to work (2 doses 24 hours apart)
18
Q

Tocolysis drugs

A

CCBs e.g. nifedipine, orally
Oxytocin receptor antagonist e.g atosiban, IV
Beta 2 agonists e.g. salbutamol
Indomethacin

19
Q

Tocolysis is ocassionally indicated if….

A

Foetal distress and need for emergency C section
Obstructed labour
Hypertonic uterus causing foetal distress

20
Q

If emergency tocolysis needed, e.g. in obstructed labour or foetal distress etc, what can be used?

A

GTN

Terabutaline

21
Q

Pregnant women may be on anti-hypertensives for which conditions?

A

Pre-existing HTN
Pregnancy induced HTN
Pre-eclampsia

22
Q

Special hypertensives used in pregnancy

A

Methyldopa
Hydralazine
Combined alpha and beta blockers e.g. labetolol

23
Q

What is the first line drug for HTN in labour?

24
Q

What is used to treat women with symptomatic pre-eclampsia, and thought to be at risk of eclampsia, to prevent or treat seizures?

A

IV magnesium sulphate

25
Antihypertensives contraindicated in pregnancy
ACE inhibitors ARBs Spironolactone
26
Analgesics allowed in pregnancy
``` Paracetomal Dihydrocoedine/codeine Entonox "gas+air" Opiates (when pain is more severe) Local analgesia ```
27
Signs of local anaesthetic toxicity
``` Perioral tingling Paraesthesia Confusion Drowsiness Light headedness Seizures Coma, CR arrest and can be lethal ```
28
Contraindications of an epidural anaesthetic
``` Thrombocytopenia Coagulopathy Raised ICP Local sepsis Septic shock Allergy to local anaesthetic Lack of patient consent Anticoagulants within 12 hours of insertion ```
29
Advantages of epidural anaesthetic
Effective during labour Can be topped up if need to go to theatre for instrumental delivery or C section Effective after delivery if need repair of vaginal tears or manual removal of placenta (MROP) Best for baby Can prevent further raised BP in pre-eclampsia
30
Disadvantages of epidural anaesthesia
Can fail to provide adequate analgesia (1 in 10 need resisted) Causes hypotension (1 in 50, dose dependent) Reduces womens mobility Dural puncture (1 in 100) leading to headache Epidural haematoma/abscess (<1 in 10000) Risk of respiratory depression (1 in 100 to 1 in 1000 chance) Risk of neurological deficits (1 in 10000 to 1 in 40000 chance)
31
In spinal anaesthetic, where is the medication injected into?
The subarachnoid space
32
Advantages of spinal anaesthetic
Gives dense, anaesthetic bilateral block | Patient can stay awake and protect own airway during an operation
33
Disadvantages of spinal anaesthetic
``` 2-3% risk of inadequate pain relief Shorter duration -> can wear off Causes hypotension Needs catheter Risk of dural puncture + post dural puncture headache Severe pruitis or nausea and vomiting Small risk of nerve damage ```
34
Why can general anaesthesia be more difficult in pregnancy?
Increased risk of aspiration of stomach contents | More difficult to intubate pregnant women