Multiple Gestation, Eclampsia, Antenatal Growth Charts & Infections in Preg Flashcards
Multiple gestation (pregnancy of >1 foetus): What are reasons for multiple births?
- If >1 egg is released during 1 menstrual cycle
- If the zygote divides after fertilisation=identical twins
- IVF treatments-often transfer >1 embryo to the uterus
What is amnionicity?
Number of amnions (inner membranes) that surround babies in multiple pregnancy
Pregnancies with 1 amnion (so that all babies share an amniotic sac) are monoamniotic, pregnancies with 2 amnions=diamniotic
What is chorionicity?
Number of chorionic (outer) membranes that surround babies in multiple preg
1 membrane=monochorionic
2 =dichorionic
What are the 4 types of twin preg?
- Dichorionic diamniotic twins (DCDCA) -can happen from 2 separate eggs fertilised by 2 separate sperms or can happen from an early division of the zygote
- Each baby has a separate placenta and amniotic sac - Monochorionic diamniotic twins (MCDA)-both babies share a placenta but have separate amniotic sacs
- MCMA-both babies share a placenta and an amniotic sac
- Conjoined twins
How is zygosity and chorionicity determined?
Fetal USS
What does the lambda sign compared to the T sign show on a fetal USS?
- Lambda sign=2 placentas-diagnoses dichorionic diamniotic twins
- T sign=single placenta-diagnoses monochorionic diamniotic twins
What are maternal complications of multiple gestation?
o Preterm labour
o Hyperemesis
o Anaemia in pregnancy
o HT
o Gestational diabetes
o PPH
What are foetal complications of multiple gestation?
o Growth restriction
o Prematurity
o Increased birth complications
o Increased perinatal mortality/morbidity
What are some complications that are associated especially with monochorionic twins?
o Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (when blood moves from one baby to another due to having a shared placenta- that baby then loses blood & is called the donor twin)
o Selective growth restriction
o Twin anaemia polycythaemia sequence
o Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP)
o Single twin death
What antenatal care is required for multiple gestation?
- Routine care including trisomy 21 screening/structural scans
- Specialist clinic with regular scans to monitor growth & identify complications
- Dichorionic diamniotic require at least 8 AN visits
- Monochorionic require at least 11 AN visits
- Monitor BP/commence oral iron if required
- Monitor for iron deficiency anaemia
About 1/3 of twins are delivered via what?
CS
When should an earlier delivery be aimed for?
If there are any maternal/foetal complications
At what week and by what mode of delivery should DCDA, MCDA and triplets?
DCDA - 37 weeks
MCDA-36 weeks
- Vaginal delivery/CS (if 1st twin isn’t cephalic offer CS)
Triplets-35 weeks - CS
What is eclampsia compared to preeclampsia?
Eclampsia=When severe pre-eclampsia is complicated with generalised convulsions
Preeclampsia = a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with multi organ involvement characterised by new onset HT, proteinuria usually seen after 20 weeks gestation
What does eclampsia happen as a result of?
Happens as a result of cerebral oedema &/or cerebral haemorrhage
What are the clinical features/warning signs of potential eclampsia?
o Headache
o BP > 160 systolic
o Hyperreflexia
o Visual changes
What type of seizures are associated with eclampsia?
Tonic clonic seizures
Is eclampsia an emergency?
Obstetric emergency managed with an ABC approach (secure airway, IV access & take bloods (LFT, U&E, coagulation & FBC)
How is eclampsia managed (think medications)?
Magnesium Sulphate (Given IV & protocol means it is usually kept in every room in clinical areas in a maternity hospital in case of emergency)
Causes cerebral dilatation-competitively blocks CA at synaptic nerve endings
Helps in the treatment & prevention of eclampsia & should be continued for 24hrs post delivery
Resp rate, Reflexes & Urine output should be monitored whilst on it
o Antihypertensives – labetolol, hydralazine
What is the antidote for magnesium sulphate?
Antidote=Calcium Gluconate & should be given If toxicity develops
What is the only cure for eclampsia?
Delivery of child
What are other complications of eclampsia to watch out for?
HELLP syndrome
DIC
Acute respiratory distress
Pulmonary oedema
Aspiration
Fetal hypoxia
Increased maternal mortality
How can the risk of pre-eclampsia in subsequent pregnancies be decreased?
Low dose aspirin given from 12 weeks gestation
Why are antenatal growth charts important?
Important method for detecting foetuses that are large or small for dates – failure to detect this can lead to increased morbidity or mortality