OB Module 4: Complications of Pregnancy Flashcards
OLDCART
Acronym for assessing symptoms or status changes in terms of:
Onset Location Duration Characteristics Aggravating Factors Relieving Factors Treatments Tried
During a crisis situation what things should be done
assess VS
assess pulse O2 and symptoms of oxygenation
assess mental status
assess tissue perfusion
assess fetal status
assess bleeding assessing for DIC
assess urine output (consider a Foley catheter)
labwork and testing
spread the liability
What does Spread the Liability mean
keep provider and supervisors informed of any status changes - spread the liability around
report less fluff and more sufficient data via OLDCART
What is a big indicator of the status of a mother
Fetal status as there would be decreased blood to the placenta
How often should crisis situation assessments be done if the issue is acute
repeat assessments at appropriate intervals
with acute it may be every 5 minutes
it could also be every 15 minutes or every hour
During a crisis, keep the provider informed of …
status changes
During a crisis, the patient and family may be frightened and need information and support, but do not…
offer false reassurance (no worrying is inappropriate)
*also do not offer information a nurse should/can not deliver like a diagnosis
Since a lot occurs in a short interval or even simultaneously during an emergency crisis, what may be useful to do?
Assign a scribe to note when everything is done for everything so that a complete record can be made
Palpable Blood Pressure
in an emergency situation when the BP drops significantly you will only be able to hear the systolic BP with diastolic going all the way to zero (ex: 60/0).
This is why we may use VS machines for repeated assessments but know their baseline
During a crisis you will probably need __ __ until the patient is stabilized
additional personnel
What should be removed from the room during a crisis?
Any non essential personnel - including egos that hinder communication
What is essential to working in a crisis
effective communication and teamwork
everyone in the room must be working toward achieving the patients best possible outcome
About how many women die daily, globally, from complications of childbirth?
880 Women
500 of which are in western, central, and sub Sahara Africa and 200+ in Asia
What is the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Europe and the US?
Europe - 1 in 11,900
US - 1 in 5500 (it has increased the last few years)
What would make most MMR deaths preventable
if attended by a trained and equipped provider, MD, or midwife
___ ___ countries have significantly higher mortality rates (1 in 45 births)
low income
What is the leading cause of maternal death?
Hemorrhage (27%)
What are some causes of maternal death?
Hemorrhage - 27%
HTN - 14%
Sepsis - 11%
Abortion
Embolism
Other Direct Medical Conditions Worsened by Pregnancy
Indirect Causes (28%) like Trauma, Suicide, Drug Overdose
Domestic violence increases __% with pregnancy
20%
Complications of the First Trimester that can Occur
Ectopic Pregnancy
Miscarriage
Hydatidform Mole Pregnancy
Hyperemisis gravidarum
Complications of the Second and Third Trimesters that can Occur
HTN Disorders of Pregnancy
Diabetes in Pregnancy
Preterm Labor
Hemorrhagic Disorders of Pregnancy
Hyperemisis gravidarum
Vasa previa
Uterine Rupture
Lacerations
PE
Cephalo pelvic disproportion
Cord Prolapse
Fetal Distress
Shoulder Dystocia
Ectopic Pregnancy
A gestation/pregnancy that is developing outside the uterus
still uncommon to see
“Tubal Pregnancy” is another name
Where does conception usually occur and then where does it move to implant usually?
Conception occurs in the outer 1/3 of the fallopian tubes
It will then divide and grow while working its way through the tube via cilia to get to the uterus to implant
What can increase the chance of ectopic pregnancy
anything that damaged the tubes like a surgical history or pelvic inflammatory disease
Where are some sites that ectopic pregnancies may implant
fallopian tubes (98%)
ovary (1%)
cervix (1%)
abdomen (0.75-1%)
What age group tends to have the highest incidence of ectopic pregnancies
Women 20-29 yo
What is the rate of ectopic pregnancy in the US
2% of all US pregnancies
rates are higher for nonwhite women and increase with age in both white and nonwhite women
What has happened to the incidence of ectopic pregnancy since 1970?
It has TRIPLED since 1970 d/t PID, STD, and IUD use increases
Most occurred pre 2000 but it is still high today
Ectopic pregnancy is responsible for __% of the maternal mortality in the US
10% (D/t hemorrhage bleeding)
What is the most common cause of maternal mortality before 20 weeks gestation
ectopic pregnancy
What is the rate of another ectopic pregnancy occurring following an ectopic pregnancy and why?
25%
This is because whatever was wrong the first time probably is unresolved and can cause it to happen again
What is the most common ectopic pregnancy implantation site
fallopian tubes (98%)
Risk Factors for an Ectopic Pregnancy
PID and Endometriosis
Use of IUDs
Tubal Surgery
Tubal Tumor and Congenital Tubal Anomalies (Accessory tubes, excessively long tubes)
History of previous ectopic pregnancies, abdominal or pelvic surgery, ruptured appendicitis, therapeutic abortion, or infertility
S/S of Ectopic Pregnancy
Abdominal Pain
Amenorrhea
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
Swelling in 1 Leg
Shoulder Pain
Are the s/s of Ectopic pregnancy bilateral or generalized?
Can Be Either
What is the abdominal pain like in ectopic pregnancies
vague, colicky, or cramping and can be localized to the L or R pelvic area or may be bilateral
Why does Amenorrhea occur in ectopic pregnancies
It is still a pregnancy so there is still a corpus luteum suppressing ovulation
Shoulder pain during an ectopic pregnancy is a ___ pain that is also seen in tubal ligation for sterilization as well
Referred
What may be done for an ectopic pregnancy if the fallopian tube is intact?
treatment may be surgical or via methotrexate (a chemo agent) to dissolve the pregnancy while maintaining tube patency and potential fertility
Methotrexate
a chemotherapy agent sometimes given to ectopic pregnancies with intact fallopian tubes to dissolve the pregnancy while maintaining tube patency and potential fertility
What may be done for an ectopic pregnancy if the fallopian tube ruptures
Surgery is REQUIRED if the tube ruptures
S/S of a Ruptured Fallopian Tube
Abdominal Pain
N/V
Diarrhea
Unilateral Palpable Pelvic Mas (Hematoma)
Dizziness
Hypovolemic Shock
Types of Spontaneous Abortions (Miscarriage)
early
Late
Habitual Abortion
Chromosomal Aberrations Related Miscarriage
Threatened Abortion
Inevitable Abortion
Incomplete Abortion
Complete Abortion
Septic Abortion
Missed
Autolysis
Early Spon Abortion
miscarriage before 12 weeks of gestations
Late Spon Abortion
miscarriage between 12-20 weeks of gestation
Habitual Abortion
When a woman has 3 or more consecutive spontaneous abortions
What is estimated to make up/cause 50% of all spontaneous abortions
Chromosomal Aberrations with autosomal trisomy being most common
Threatened Abortions
The cervix is NOT dilated and the placenta is still attached to the uterine wall, but SOME bleeding occurs - so it may be vessel bleeding rather than from the cervix
It is suggested if a woman has vaginal spotting or bleeding early in pregnancy
occurs in about 20% of all diagnosed pregnancies - half abort
Inevitable Abortion
The placenta has separated from the uterine wall, the cervix has dilated and bleeding has increased more than in a threatened abortion
Occurs when the cervix has begun to dilate, uterine contractions are painful and bleeding increases
The membranes rupture as the process proceeds
Is a threatened abortion preventable
potentially
Is an inevitable abortion preventable
no (we cannot stop all of the changes that occurred)
What is the main different between a threatened and inevitable abortion?
the cervix began to dilate
Is the rupture in an inevitable abortion large?
no the pregnancy was not very large to begin with
Incomplete Abortion
The embryo or fetus has passed out of the uterus, BUT the placenta remains
Cervical dilation results in partial expulsion of the products of conception, with some of the products retained in the uterus
Excessive vaginal bleeding occurs and risk of infection increases
What has to be done with an incomplete abortion
we have to go in and evacuate the rest of the contents via dilation and curettage - dilation of the cervix and scraping of the uterine cavity to free the placenta
Complete Spon Abortion
all products of conception are entirely expelled (placenta, baby, membranes)
very few physical complications occur but emotional support is necessary as the mom will be devastated
Septic Spon Abortion
immediate termination of pregnancy by method appropriate to duration of pregnancy needed - the infection is caused by products of conception being retained and causing infection
cervical culture and sensitivity studies are done and broad spectrum antibiotic therapy is started
treatment for septic shock is done if needed
Why is it so easy for sepsis to occur in a pregnant woman?
because the area is very vascularized so it can infect very easily
Why do we start the mom of a septic abortion on both aerobic and anaerobic broad spectrum antibiotics to begin?
The vaginal vault is aerobic but the uterine cavity is anaerobic and since we do not know what the infective agent is until CS comes back we can do this
Missed Abortion
the fetus dies but continues to be retained in the uterus 8 weeks or longer
Autolysis Abortion
step 4 weeks post missed abortion where the infant dead cells will start to breakdown and release enzymes that breakdown clotting factors and lead to DIC in the mom
Why may habitual abortions happen?
when a mom gets to the 2nd trimester and the weight of the pregnancy is actually more than the cevix can hold
at 15-20 weeks the cervix will try to dilate and let the pregnancy past it
What is done to try and prevent habitual abortions
A purse string suture (Cerclage, Shirodkar, McDonald Procedure) to maintain the pregnancy
McDonald Procedure (Cerclage/Shirodkar)
a thick purse string sized suture the size of a shoelace is made around the cervix to pull it closed or near closed and a know is made to cut later through the vaginal vault
when near delivery we cut the know to allow a normal vaginal delivery
can prevent habitual abortions
What is a problem with the McDonald procedure in regard to location
should we have to abdominally rather than vaginally to the top of the cervix to make the suture (if for some reason the cervix was damaged for some reason before) then a C Section will be required and the suture is permanent to maintain all future pregnancies and is not removed or cut
Hydatidiform Mole (Molar Pregnancy)
Disorder of the placenta where it does not appropriately form or forms a malformation early on in the pregnancy
What does a molar pregnancy being a trophoblastic disease mean
there is a developmental error of placenta causing the development of cyst like clear vesicles resembling a bunch of grapes to occur
highly vascular and looks like brain tissue
2 Types of molar Pregnancy
Complete
Partial
Complete Molar Pregnancy
all vesicles and no fetus
Partial Molar Pregnancy
has vesicles and a rarely viable fetus
What happens to most fetuses during a molar pregnancy ?
most fetus are not well nourished and the size of the uterus can get so big so rapid due to the vesicle growth that pregnancy cannot make it to term due to mass and uterine intolerance
Is molar pregnancy carcinogenic?
Usually it is benign but it can be a choriocarcinoma - a rapid growing cancer form with a high rate of cure
What is the incidence of molar pregnancies like?
1 in 1000 pregnancies
Incidence increases x10 after age 45
S/S of Molar Pregnancy
apparently nL first trimester
uterine bleeding
possible anemia
SOB
uterine size often exceeds fundal heights expected for gestation
fetal activity and FHR tones absent if nonviable fetus
hyperemesis gravidarum common
preeclampsia developing before 24 weeks
very high levels of serum hCG levels
What is the most outstanding sign of molar pregnancy
uterine bleeding
Why can SOB occur in molar pregnancy
it relates to metastasis if it has become cancerous as the primary site for spread is to the lungs
Hyperemesis
hyperactive morning sickness from increased hormones from the placenta
What confirms a Hyatidiform pregnancy
ultrasound
What needs to be done once ultrasound confirms a molar pregnancy
IMMEDIATE EVACUATION of pregnancy and all products
Potential chemotherapy in follow up if the molar pregnancy was malignant
Why do we monitor serum hCG levels with an evacuated molar pregnancy
because if this number is higher than normal that means there are still placental products inside
they end up being checked every month for half a year and then every other month for the last 6 months
Why should pregnancy be avoided for a year following an evacuated molar pregnancy
to prevent hormonal tissue that survived from staying and encouraging to undergo metastasis in the next pregnancy
What is taken and compared to its pre-evacuation results?
baseline X ray of the lungs compared to pre evacuation x ray
What is a common symptoms of complete molar pregnancy
vaginal bleeding, often brownish (a characteristic “prune juice” appearance indicating older bleeding) but sometimes is red.
The hydropic vessels are passed and can come out of the uterus
How may a hydatidiform mole and a normal placenta compare when looking at them
It should look beefy on the fetal side normally but the molar pregnancy is more shiny, vesicle filled, and looks like liver tissue
Hyperemesis gravidarum
increased or prolonged N/V in pregnancy potential affecting the mother and fetus
How does hyperemesis compare to regular morning sickness
morning sickness usually lasts about 14 weeks and occurs in the morning
hyperemesis can be all day long and prolonged lasting the entire pregnancy
Etiology of Hyperemesis gravidarum
likely caused by a combination of factors:
high or rapidly increasing levels of hCG or estrogens
evidence of transient hyperthyroidism has also been noted
psychological and social factors like family conflict may also play a role (but not in all cases necessarily)
Treatment for Hyperemesis gravidarum
IV therapy to treat dehydration - adequacy of hydration addressed by measuring UO
Small frequent feedings as tolerated - high calorie tube feedings are optional (TPN)
Antiemetics often help, Zofran OD, Reglan, Phenergan, Scopolamine
Acupressure has been used successfully
Issue with the antiemetic zofran?
expensive (but can go under the tongue)
Benefit of the antiemetic Regland
they can go into the IV bag overnight
What form is the antiemetic Phenergan in
a suppository
What form is the antiemetic Scopolamine available in
patches
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Any HTN disorder in pregnancy that causes:
BP >140/90
A rise of 30 mmHg in the systolic BP over a woman’s baseline BP (ex; if was 90/60 then 120 or 130 is concerning)
MABP >105 mmHg
Pregnancy induced HTN (PIH)
Hypertension without protein urea that develops AFTER 20 weeks of pregnancy or within the first 24 hours after delivery
Occurs since blood volume for mom increases 30-50% and if we dump this much with normal vascular tone and it does not relax then it will gradually increase out to 20 weeks or after delivery
PIH can compound with…
normal preexisting HTN
PIH superimposed on previous HTN …
results in a worsening of the woman’s HTN
Preeclampsia
At least 2 out of 3 of the classic triad:
- Elevated BP (vasospasm)
- Protein urea (damage to the vessels from spas causing protein leaks)
- Edema (allowing third spacing from damage - generalized not dependent)
What usually is causing preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome
remarkable levels of vasospasms
When do Preeclampsia, Eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome begin
after 24 weeks usually
Eclampsia
HTN disorder when preeclampsia progresses to develop seizures that are life threatening, long, and recurring potentially
HELLP Syndrome
Worst case of the Preclampsia, Eclampsia, HELLP triad.
It involves:
Hemolysis
Elevated Liver enzymes
Low Platelets
this often goes along with increased BP
can be life threatening
HELLP syndrome may potentially be …
a most advanced form of preeclampsia or not
HELLP: Hemolysis
severe vasospasm and when blood goes through the small vessels the blood is damaged and bumps around
HELLP: Elevated Liver enzymes
very vascular organ so the vasospasm occurring can lead to rupture or damage
HELLP: Low Platelets
where things shear and damage the platelets attempt to help but eventually are used up trying to do micro repairs and the circulating volume of them drops
Why is HELLP Syndrome life threatening
you lose the ability to clot and can head into delivery and bleed out!
Associated Factors with Maternal Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Fetal Hydrops (autolysis disorders like rH issues)
Maternal Age >35
Nulliparity (most likely to occur in 1st pregnancy)
History of preeclampsia in self or family
Seen in women who change partners and have a baby with a new partner
Hydatidiform Mole
Multiple Pregnancy (large placenta more hormone)
Chronic HTN
Diabetes
S/S of Preeclampsia
Edema
Proteinuria
Elevated BP
HA
Nosebleeds/Epistaxis (coagulation factors depleted)
N/V
epigastric Pain
visual disturbances
hyperreflexia (CNS irritability from cerebral edema)
oliguria (from kidney infection)
What does the HA in preeclampsia come from and how does it feel
it comes from cerebral edema
it is a dull frontal HA unrelieved by tylenol
What is the epigastric pain associated with preeclampsia?
Associated when the liver is beginning to be affected
there is a high correlation with this symptom for movement to eclampsia
What is the mechanism of damage in preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome? what can it damage
SEVERE VASOSPASM
It can damage the placenta, liver, kidneys, and brain
What does HELLP stand for
Hemolysis
Elevated Liver enzymes
Low Platelets