Module 1 Study Guide Flashcards
What is the definition of placental abruption?
Antenatal decidual hemorrhage leads to the premature separation of the placenta. AKA, the placenta detaches from the uterus before the baby is delivered. It can fully or partially separate. This is often caused by sculpture of maternal vessels in the decidua basalis, the bleeding is almost always of maternal origin.
Note: concealed abruption occurs when the separation is in the midsection, and the edges remain attached.
What are the risk factors for placental abruption?
Hx of Abruption
Increasing Parity
PPROM
Short interpregnancy interval
Cocaine use in third-trimester
Hx C/S or Leiomyoma (aka fibroids)
Rapid uterine decompression (Mulitple grestation or Polyhydramnios)
Maternal Hx: Thrombophylia, hypothyroidism, asthma, HTN (sig. Increases risk), AMA, smoker, ETOH use
**Blunt trauma
Unexplained elevated maternal serum AFP (protein produced by fetal liver)
What are the signs and symptoms of placental abruption?
Early stages: may have no clinically evident signs
Concealed abruption: cramping, contractions, uterine tenderness, back pain
“Classic Signs”: vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain, hypotonic uterus, and tenderness, maternal tachycardia, abnormal FHR. For a posterior placenta, there may be back pain as well.
What testing or imaging is available to diagnose placental abruption?
Ultrasound (fresh blood can look like the placenta and may be difficult), symptom-based diagnosis, or diagnosed retrospectively
How should placental abruption be managed?
Delivery if >34-36 weeks and or unstable
If bleeding is minor and both the pregnant person and baby are stable and/or preterm may lead to antepartum admission and monitoring.
What is the definition of placenta previa?
Abnormally located placenta, near the internal os. If the embryo implants by the cervical os, the placenta will grow there. If it is diagnosed early in the pregnancy, as the uterus grows, it can self-resolve.
What are the risk factors for placenta previa?
Hx of placenta previa, multiple gestations (because of more placentas being present), uterine surgery
What are the signs and symptoms of placenta previa?
Painless vaginal bleeding
What testing or imaging is available to diagnose placenta previa?
Ultrasound to assess the location of the placenta
How should placenta previa be managed?
***DO NOT perform cervical exams
If stable: Pelvic rest! Limited physical activity/bed rest. C/S at 34 weeks
If unstable (hemorrhaging/unstable BPs): Urgent/Emergent C/S, blood transfusions as needed
What is the definition of vasa previa?
The umbilical cord lies across the cervical os. Often is seen with a velamentous cord insertion.
How is vasa previa diagnosed?
Typically diagnosed by routine ultrasound.
How should vasa previa be managed?
Antenatal steroids at 30-32 weeks and delivery by C/S at 33-34 weeks
What are the signs and symptoms of retained placenta?
When the third stage of labor (i.e. delivery of the placenta) lasts longer than 30 minutes.
Incidence of PPH increases after 17 minutes
If a placenta is retained for >60 minutes, it should be assumed to be invasive (i.e. accreta, increta, percreta)
How does retained placenta cause postpartum hemorrhage?
When the placenta is still attached, the blood vessels where it is attached continue to bleed. The uterus is also unable to contract appropriately to stop the blood flow.
Contractions are ineffective when the placenta is retained.
What is uterine atony?
Uterine atony refers to the inadequate contraction of the corpus uteri myometrial cells in response to endogenous oxytocin release.
What are risk factors for uterine atony?
Uterine overdistention secondary to hydramnios, multiple gestation, use of oxytocin, fetal macrosomia, high parity, rapid or prolonged labor, intra-amniotic infection and use of uterine-relaxing agents.
What are the signs of uterine atony?
Excessive bleeding, fundus may be boggy/high/deviated and does not resolve with a massage.
If significant bleeding has occurred, pt may become hypotensive, tachycardic, pale, or dizzy
How does uterine atony cause postpartum hemorrhage?
This is the primary cause of PPH. The uterus is not contracting and stopping the blood flow like it should, leading to hemorrhage.
What is a uterine inversion?
When the fundus collapses into the endometrial cavity, turning the uterus partially or entirely inside out.
I
ncomplete: Fundus within endometrial cavity
Complete: fundus protrudes through the cervical os
Prolapsed: fundus protrudes to or beyond the vaginal introitus
Total: Both the Uterus and vagina are inverted
How does uterine inversion cause postpartum hemorrhage?
It is associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The uterus cannot contract appropriately because it is “inside out”
Note: Most common symptom is maternal shock
What is the management for an inverted uterus?
Immediately attempt to reposition the uterus as this is more successful if done before the lower uterine segment and cervix contract. If the placenta is attached, DO NOT remove it. The provider will use their hand to “push” the uterus back into place and then hold it in place with their first while waiting for a physician. Request blood to be prepared or initiate the PPH protocol.
How do vaginal and cervical lacerations cause postpartum hemorrhage?
Significant tearing can cause increased bleeding. To stop the bleeding, the tear must be repaired.
Cervical lacerations may not be quickly identified and can be difficult to repair. They may need to be repaired in the operating room for the best visualization.
What is the difference between early and late postpartum hemorrhage?
Early PPH occurs within 24 hours of delivery, a late PPH occurs after 24 hours, and up to 12 weeks postpartum. A late PPH is most often the result of subinvolution but could also be due to retained placenta or products of conception.
How should an early postpartum hemorrhage be managed?
Varies on cause of hemorrhage. You should immediately start to assess the cause and stop the bleeding.
Causes: TTTT-Tone, Trauma, Tissue, Thrombin
Medications:
Pitocin-first line 10-40 U in 500-1000 cc IV at 250 cc/hr or 10 U IM
Methergine-2nd line* 0.2 mg IM q2-4h (Note: avoid in HTN due to increased BP, can repeat PO TID-QID for up to 1 week
Hemabate-2nd line 0.25 IM or intramyometrium q15m x8 (Note: avoid in asthma, causes severe diarrhea)
Cytotec 600-800 mcg SL/PO or 800-1000 mcg PR (Note: causes fever and shivering)
TXA: to be used in conjunction with other meds. Give within 3 hours of birth (Note: is NOT a uterotonic)
PRB-type and cross for 2 units
Monitor vital signs: tachycardia and hypotension are signs of significant blood loss
Fundal massage/Bimanual massage to remove clots
Empty bladder
Call for MD backup
2nd IV
MD should assume care if PPH is stage 3
What is a hematoma?
A pool of mostly clotted blood as a result of damage to blood vessels. They are most common at the vulva, vagina, or retroperitoneum.
What are the signs and symptoms of a hematoma?
Significantly worse pain than expected from delivery/type of tear.
How are hematomas diagnosed?
Can be diagnosed by a physical exam. Some may not be visible and would require a gentle internal digital exam.
How are hematomas managed?
Frequent assessment, Ice packs, pain management, side-lying, IV placement in case of need for volume resuscitation, foley catheter placement, CBC to establish baseline.
Note: the midwife SHOULD NOT incise the hematoma without additional aid
What is subinvolution?
Subinvolution is delayed return of the enlarged uterus to normal size and function. By 2 weeks PP, the uterus can no longer be palpated abdominally though involution is not complete until 6 weeks PP. When this does not occur in the expected time frame, subinvolution has occurred.
What are potential causes subinvolution?
Retained placental fragments or products of conception, infection, leiomyomas (fibroids), exessive maternal activity
What are the signs and symptoms of subinvolution?
Prolonged lochial discharge.
Irregular or excessive bleeding.
Larger than normal uterus.
Boggy uterus (occasionally)
How is subinvolution treated?
Depends on severity and cause
D&C can be performed
Medications: the same meds used for an early PPH
Treatment of infection