Misc Flashcards
What is foetal tachycardia and what may cause it?
baseline rate greater than 160bpm
Foetal hypoxia Chorioamnionitis Hyperthyroidism Foetal/maternal anaemia Foetal tachyqrrythmia Prematurity Maternal pyrexia Maternal use of salbutamol
What are reasons why a pregnancy may be considered high risk?
Gestational diabetes
Hypertension
Asthma
Multiple gestation Post date gestation Previous Caesarean section IUGR PROM Congenital malformations Oxytocin induction of labour Pre-eclampsia
No prenatal care
Smoking
Drug abuse
What is foetal bradycardia?
Mild - 100-120 - common in OP or OT presentations, and post date gestation
Severe is period of 3 mins below 120
What are causes of prolonged severe foetal bradycardia?
Prolonged cord compression Cord prolapse Epidural and spinal anaesthesia Maternal seizure Rapid foetal descent Foetal distress Postmaturity
What may cause reduced variability on a ctg?
Foetus sleeping Foetal acidosis - hypoxia Foetal tachycardia Drugs - opiates, bdz, methyl dopa, magnesium sulphate Prematurity Congenital heart abnormalities
What is an early deceleration?
Start when uterine contractions begins, recover when uterine contractions stop
Due to increased foetal intracranial pressure causing increased vagal tone
Considered to be physiological
What is a variable deceleration?
Rapid fall in baseline rate with a variable recovery phase
No relation to uterine contractions
Usually caused by umbilical cord compression
Often seen in patients with reduced amniotic volume
What is a late deceleration?
Begin at peak of uterine contraction and recover after the contraction ends
Suggests insufficient blood flow through the uterus and placenta, causing foetal hypoxia and acidosis
May be due to maternal hypotension, pre-eclampsia, uterine hyper stimulation
What action should be taken when late deceleration a are present?
Foetal blood sampling
If acidosis, foetus may be hypoxic and emergency c section may be indicated
What is a prolonged deceleration?
Lasts more than 2 mins
2-3 mins - non reassuring
Longer than three mins- abnormal
Requires FBS and c section
How can the overall impression of a ctg be classified?
Normal - all four features are reassuring
Suspicious - one feature is non reassuring, and the others are reassuring
Pathological - two or more features are non reassuring, and one or more is abnormal
What is a sinusoidal trace?
A smooth undulating wave like baseline with no variability
Lasts over 10 mins, with amplitude of 5-15 BPM
May be physiological, may be due to foetal distress, but should be considered serious until proven otherwise
What are typical/atypical decelerations?
Typical - all look the same
Atypical - look different
What is the treatment of trichinosis vaginalis?
Oral metronidazole 5-7 day course
