Obs and Gynae Flashcards
What investigations would you do in a woman presenting with menorrhagia?
FBC in ALL women
pelvic exam?
TVS - if symptoms (IMB, PCB, pelvic pain, pressure)
How would you manage menorrhagia?
Depends upon if needing contraception No contraception required - mefenamic acid (particularly in dysmenorrhoea) - tranexamic acid Start both on day 1 of cycle If require contraception - IUS (1st line) - COCP - long-acting progestogens
What is a short-term treatment for menorrhagia?
Northisterone 5mg TDS to rapidly stop menstrual bleeding
What is screened for antenatally?
Sickle cell, alpha and beta thalassaemia Infections Down's Edward's Patau's syndromes Foetal anomaly scan Diabetic eye screening
When is sickle cell and thalassaemia screening offered and to whom? When would you test the father too?
All pregnant women at 8-10 weeks
Test father: If woman is genetic carrier OR if woman too late to get screening test
What questionnaire should be done with sickle cell and thalassaemia screening antenatally?
Family Origin Questionnaire
When are chorionic villous sampling and amniocentesis done?
CVS at 10-12 weeks
Amnio at 15-20 weeks (don’t do amnio before 15 weeks as risk of talipes)
What should be done if prenatal diagnosis shows baby has sickle cell or thalassaemia?
Offer termination OR
refer to paediatric haematologist
When are infections disease antenatal screening offered and what diseases are screened for?
Offered to all pregnant in early pregnancy and to all unbooked women in labour
Re-offer at 20 weeks if declined in early pregnancy
HIV, Hep B, syphilis
How are babies managed whose mothers are screened positive for HepB? Why is it important to screen for Hep B in pregnancy?
Hep B vaccine 24hrs after birth
Then at 4,8,12,16 weeks then 12 months
If baby contracts HepB perinatally, 90% risk of chronic Hep B, but if gets later as a child, risk is much lower.
Can be transmitted vertically, during delivery or during breastfeeding
Increases risk cirrhosis and liver cancer
What are the risks of maternal syphilis in pregnancy?
Can cross placenta and cause stillbirth, miscarriage, preterm labour or congenital syphilis
What tests can be offered to all women to check for Down’s, Edward’s or Patau’s syndromes?
Combined teset
Quadruple test
When is the combined test and what should be offered if miss it?
Combined test = 11-14 weeks (T21/13/18) If missed/no result after 2 attempts: Quadruple test at 14-20 weeks for T21 And 18-21 week scan for T13 and 18 Combined and quadruple offered in twin pregnancies
What is assessed as part of the combined test?
Risk of T21 and risk of T13/18
- Maternal age
- serum biochemical markers: PAPP-A, free bHCG
- USS: Nuchal translucency, crown rump length
What results are given in combined test? What is the cut off for prenatal diagnostic testing?
Results: 2 results, 1 for T21, 1 for T13/18
Individual results in DC twins
Cut off for PND = 1 in 150
What are the purposes of the early pregnancy scan?
Confirm viability EDD - gestational age using CRL CRL and nuchal translucency as part of combined test Multiple or single pregnancy Major structural anomalies
When is the early pregnancy scan and how is it done?
8-14 weeks
Transabdominal USS
When is the quadruple test offered? What does it involve?
Offered to late bookers, or not able to do combined test or obtain NT 14-20 weeks - tests for T21 ONLY, bloods only - alpha feto protein - total bHCG - oestriol - inhibin A Diagnostic testing cut off = 1 in 150 Can't do individual results in DC twins
What occurs in a positive screening test for T21, T13 or T18?
Mother contacted within 3 working days+ offered appointment
Options:
- await anomaly scan at 20 weeks
- Non-invasive prenatal testing (private)
- invasive testing (CVS or ACS) - 0.5-1% miscarriage risk
What is non-invasive prenatal testing?
Private sector but coming into NHS soon
Analyses foetal DNA from maternal blood from 10 wks
For: T21, 18, 13 and gender
99% sensitive - small risk confined placental mosaicism
When is the foetal anomaly scan? What happens if it is not completed?
18+0 to 20+6 weeks
Offer again at 23 weeks if not completed
What occurs if abnormal results of foetal anomaly scan at 20 wks occurs?
Referred to foetal medicine within 3 working days
Report to National Congenital Anomalies and Rare Diseases Register (NCARDR)
Refer to neonatologists, paediatrics etc.
Who is offered diabetic eye screening and when is it offered?
Women who are diabetic and become pregnant offered within 6 weeks of notification of pregnancy
- have early booking appointment and scan
- Diabetic midwives refer to DES
- Maternity diabetic team can access results
What is the puerperium?
Time from delivery of placenta until 6 weeks post-partum
What hormonal changes occur post partum?
Decrease in placental hormones
- oestrogen, progesterone, hPL, HCG
And increase in prolactin
What occurs in convolution of uterus and genital tract?
Muscle - ischemia, autolysis, phagocytosis
Decidua - shed as lochia rubra, series then alba
Why is breastfeeding sometimes partially or fully contraceptive?
Prolactin inhibits ovulation
What is primary PPH?
Blood loss >500ml after birth of baby
What is a major PPH vs minor PPH?
Major = >1500ml loss or signs of shock Minor = <1500ml loss and no signs of shock
What is secondary PPH?
Abnormal or excessive PV bleeding 24hrs to 2weeks after birth
What are some causes of secondary PPH?
Endometritis Retained products of conception Subinvolution of placental invasion Pseudoaneurysms Aterio-venous malformations
What investigations would you do for secondary PPH?
Assess blood loss/haemodynamic state
High vaginal swab
Pelvic ultrasound in some cases
When is VTE risk highest in pregnancy?
Increases massively post-partum, is 22x higher at 3 weeks pospartum
Risk persists until 6 weeks post partum
What groups are high risk for VTE? What treatment do they get?
High risk = 6 weeks LMWH post-partum
- previous VTE
- antenatal LMWH
- high risk thrombophilia
- low risk thrombophilia and FH
What is given for intermediate risk VTE post-partum? What VTE score gives this?
Score of 2 or more = intermediate
Tx: 10 days LMWH postnatally
Risks: CS, BMI>40, readmission or prolonged admission in puerperium, surgical procedure in puerperium, medical comorbidities
If 3 or more or persisting - lengthen treatment
What is done for VTE risk score of less than 2?
Early mobilisation and hydration
How do post-dural headaches present?
Headache, worse on sitting or standing
Starts within week of epidural/spinal
Neck stiffness
Photophobia
How are post-dural headaches managed?
Lying flat
Simple analgesia
Fluids and caffeine
Epidural blood patch
What is defined as urinary retention?
Requiring catheter >12hr after birth
Or
not spontaneously micturating within 6 hrs post vaginal delivery
What are the risk factors for urinary retention?
Epidural analgesia Prolonged 2nd stage of labour Forceps or ventouse delivery Extensive perineal lacerations Poor labour bladder care
What are the “baby blues”?
Emotional and tearful 3-10 days after giving birth
Give the red flags for post-partum mental health disorder
- significant change in mental state/new symptoms
- persistent feeling of incompetency or estrangement from infant
- suicidal/self-harm persisting thoughts
What dose of aspirin is commonly given during pregnancy and what is it to prevent?
150mg (low dose aspirin) to prevent pre-eclampsia and subsequent premature birth or SGA
What risk factors on their own indicate need for low dose aspirin?
- hypertension in previous pregnancy
- CKD
- Autoimmune
- T1 or T2DM
- Chronic HTN
- Previous SGA
What risk factors do you need 2 of to require low dose aspirin?
- family history of pre-eclampsia
- BMI>35
- Age>40
- Primiparity
- more than 10 years since last pregnancy
- Multiple pregnancy
When can heart disease be worst in regards to pregnancy?
Afterwards - as blood pressure rises post-partum
What Hb levels indicate anaemia in pregnancy?
1st trimester = <110
2nd trimester = <105
3rd trimester = <105
Post-delivery = <100
How does iron deficiency anaemia increase risk of PPH?
Decreased oxygenation to uterus myometrium - more likely to have atony and prolonged bleeding
What does macrocytic anaemia in pregnancy suggest deficiency of?
Folate or B12, ferritin
Treat with folic acid 5mg (high dose) OD and check Hb level in 4 wks
What may happen with asthmatic women in labour?
1/3 get worse - increases risk of IUFGR, premature birth, CS, neonatal hypoxia
Can treat with usual medications
Oral steroids weight up risks as can lead to cleft palate
What is the leading cause of maternal death?
Cardiac disease - ischaemic heart disease
Especially after delivery with increased afterload
What might you screen for regarding cardiac disease in pregnant women?
- usual RFs: obesity, smoking, alcohol, HTN, diabetes
Also rheumatic fever as a child?
Monitor foetal growth with regular growth scans
How is obstetric cholestasis diagnosed?
By exclusion
Check LFTs and bile acids for other causes, possibly liver scan
Raised bile acids and raised LFTs in OC
What are the features of obstetric cholestasis?
What are its risks?
Itching but no rash
Risks: premature birth, still birth
How is obstetric cholestasis managed?
Tx: ursodeoxycolic acid
Why might hyperthyroidism become a problem in pregnancy?
HCG can mimic TSH on thyroid TSH receptors - so worse in 1st trimester but then improves as HCG acts less on thyroid
Can lead to maternal thyrotoxicosis and cardiac failure
If TSH-Abs, can cross placenta and cause foetal thyrotoxicosis
How is hyperthyroidism managed in pregnancy?
Propylthiouracil or carbimazole Both risks PTU - maternal liver failure Carbimazole - foetal anomalies Monitor foetal growth with growth scans - restricts
What can maternal hypothyroidism lead to in pregnancy?
Poor neurodevelopment, learning difficulties or early foetal loss
How is hypothyroidism managed in pregnancy?
Thyroxine - increase by 25mcg especially in 1st trimester - start asap
How is diabetes (chronic or gestational) managed in pregnancy?
Diabetic eye screening offered week6 and check renal function
Stop ACE-inhibitors and statins
Regular appointments to monitor BM chart, blood pressure and urinalysis
BM chart - aim for <5.3 fasting and <7.8 after meal
Treat with: metformin, insulin or glibenclamide
Monitor after pregnancy annually as at increased risk of T2DM with GDM
Folic acid 5mg- increased risk neural tube defects
Foetal growth scans - risk of macrosomia and polyhydramnios
What are the maternal and neonatal risks of GDM?
Maternal: progressive retinopathy, hypoglycaemia, DKA, pre-eclampsia, premature labour
Neonate: IUFGR, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, foetal anomaly, stillbirth, miscarriage, neonatal hypoglycaemia distress
What are the risks of renal disease in pregnancy?
Maternal: pre-eclampsia, severe HTN, CS due to this
Neonate: IUFGR, stillbirths, anomalies due to medication e.g. ACE-I
How is renal disease in pregnancy managed?
Risk assessment pre-pregnancy
Monitor blood pressure, urinalysis for proteins
Creatinine monitoring - if goes up then is bad as should be low in pregnancy
Foetal growth scans
What neurological conditions are common in pregnancy?
Epilepsy and migraines
What may occur with epilepsy in pregnant women?
Can get worse - increased seizure frequency or sudden expected death if poorly controlled
Counsel medication - don’t take valproate!
Risk of foetal anomalies - medication or epilepsy itself, foetal hypoxia risk, spina bifida
Risk of seizures during labour - exhaustion + pain
How is epilepsy managed in pregnancy?
Counsel on medication
Folic acid 5mg
Monitor for foetal anomalies
Plan for delivery + analgesia (avoid pethidine)
Postpartum support - advice in caring for baby
What should you do if you suspect VTE?
DVT - Dopper ultrasound
PE - VQ scan and CTPA
Therapeutic dose LMWH
What are the characteristics of gestational hypertension?
No hypertension prior to pregnancy
New hypertension after 20th week (>140/90)
Very little proteinuria
What are the characteristics of pre-eclampsia?
New hypertension after 20th wk
With proteinuria
What is chronic hypertension?
Hypertension diagnosed before pregnancy, or before 20th week or during pregnancy that is not resolved post-partum
What is pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension?
HTN and no proteinuria <20 weeks but new onset proteinuria after 20 weeks
Hypertension and proteinuria <20 weeks but sudden increase in proteinuria, BP, thrombocytopenia, abnormal liver enzymes
What is the diagnostic criteria for pre-eclampsia?
BP: Systolic >140, diastolic >90
Proteinuria >0.3g protein/24hr or +2 urine dip
What classifies mild, moderate or severe pre-eclampsia?
Mild = 140-140/90-99 Mod = 150-159/100-109 Sev = 160/110+ + haematological impairment
What classifies pre-eclampsia as early or late?
Early = <34 weeks
Late > 34 weeks
What features may you get in severe pre-eclampsia?
>160/110, 5mg proteinuria or 3+ Oliguria <400ml/24hrs Visual changes, headache, scotomata, mental status change Pulmonary oedema Epigastric or RUQ pain Impaired LFTs Thrombocytopenia IUFGR Oligohydramnios Rapid weight gain - fluid retention Retinal vasospasm/oedema
What neurological findings may you have on examination if imminent eclampsia?
Brisk reflexes
Sustained ankle clonus
Neuromuscular irritability
What lab findings may you get in imminent eclampsia?
Low platelets, LFTs raised
Raised serum uric acid
How should you manage mild pre-eclampsia <37 wks?
If new onset, hospitalise to check
Then can be managed at home with HBPM and maternal and foetal evaluation twice a week
How should you manage pre-eclampsia with persistent proteinuria, high BP, restricted foetal growth and abnormal lab results <37 weeks?
Hospitalise
How would you manage mild pre-eclampsia >37 weeks, stable condition and unfavourable cervix?
Deliver at 40 weeks
How would you manage mild pre-eclampsia >37 weeks, with favourable cervix, foetal jeopardy, persistent headaches and visual disturbances?
Give MgSO4
Delivery
How would you manage mild gestational hypertension without proteinuria (not pre-eclampsia)?
Manage at home with HBPM
How would you manage acute severe HTN?
Parenteral hydrazaline and labetalol
(avoid labetalol in asthmatics or CF)
Oral nifedipine - use with caution
What are the indications for delivery in pre-eclampsia?
Gestational age >37wks
Platelet count < 100 000
Progressive decline LFTs, renal function
Suspected placental abruption
Persistent symptoms e.g. headache, visual, RUQ
Foetal growth restriction, oligohydramnios
How would delivery be done in pre-eclampsia?
Vaginal preferable with epidural
Induced within 24 hrs
Give hydralazine and labetalol prior to labour
What is classed as low birth weight?
<2.5kg
What might be some spontaneous causes of preterm birth?
Preterm labour
Premature rupture of membranes
Cervical weakness
Amnionitis
What are non-recurrent risk factors for pre-term birth?
Vaginal bleeding
Antepartum haemorrhage
Multiple pregnancy
What are recurrent risk factors for pre-term birth?
Race, previous birth history Genital infection cervical weakness Socioeconomic factors Smoking
What infections may predispose to preterm birth?
Genital - bacterial vaginosis
Non-genital - UTI, pyelonephritis, appendicitis
How is bacterial vaginosis treated?
Metronidazole and erythromycin
What are primary prevention methods for spontaneous pre-term birth?
Smoking cessation STD prevention Prevention of multiple pregnancy Planned pregnancy Variable work shifts Physical and sexual activity advice Cervical assessment 20-26 weeks
What is tertiary prevention of preterm birth?
Prompt diagnosis and referral
Tocolytics, antibiotics
Corticosteroids
What is diagnosis of preterm labour?
Persistent uterine contractions AND change in cervical dilatation or effacement
What is secondary prevention of pre-term labour?
Screening through
- TVS
- Qualitative foetal Fibronectin test
Offered to women who are high risk for preterm birth or are threatening e.g. cervix <3cm
What is done in the TVS screening for preterm birth?
TVS measures length of cervix - should be more than 20cm unshortened
What is fibronectin test?
Fibronectin = exctracellular matrix protein at choriodecidual interface
If present on vaginal swab after 20 weeks - may mean membrane detachment
10 min procedure with ELISA monoclonal antibody on swab
Gives risk of delivering pre-term
What can cause false fibronectin results?
False positive: Sexual intercourse, Vaginal bleeding, Cervix manipulation
Lubricants - false negative
What hormone may be given to reduce risk of preterm birth?
Progesterone - IM or pessary
For past history of PTB or short cervix
What indicates a cervical cerclage?
Cervical incompetency
Or previous PTB or short cervix
Would you do a cervical examination if membranes are ruptured?
No, as can introduce infection
What do growth scans measure?
Foetal growth - HC, AC, FL, weight
Liquor volume
Umbilical artery dopplers
Scans every 3-4 weeks
What parameters on growth scans are good?
Foetal growth between 10th and 90th centile and not moving across centiles - staying on trajectory
End-diastolic artery flow - absent or reverse is bad!
What does asymmetrical IUFGR mean?
Small body with normal head size - more common restriction of growth
Usually due to placenta insufficiency - smoking, diabetes, HTN, pre-eclampsia
What does symmetrical IUFGR mean?
Small head and body in proportion to one another
Intrinsic factors - infection eg TORCH, global growth restriction, neurological sequalae
What are the complications of IUFGR?
Premature birth, still birth, low birth weight - increased risk of SIDS
How is intermittent auscultation during labour done?
For low risk mothers
After contraction, listen with Pinard stethoscope or hand-held Doppler for 1 minute
Repeat at least every 15 mins
What is a CTG and what is it used for?
Used for continuous foetal heart monitoring in higher risk mothers. Uses Dopper USS to:
measure foetal heart rate, mother’s heart rate and uterine contractions
Hospital-based, restricts maternal movement,
What is the risk of ultrasound on foetus?
Can convert energy into heat - but very low risks
What is the mneumonic for interpreting CTGs?
Dr - Define risk C - contractions Bra - baseline rate V - variability A - acceleration D - deceleration O - overall impression
What counts as an acceleration or deceleration?
Rises/falls more than 15 beats for more than 15s
What are you looking for in CTG variability?
Early, late or variable accelerations or decelerations in relation to time of contraction
LATE IS BAD! - possible cord compression
Normal range = 5-25bpm from baseline
What should baseline rate be on a CTG?
Baseline = 110-160 bpm
What decelerations are concerning?
Late! >90 mins variable or early decelerations Acute bradycardia >3 mins Decelerations lasting >60s Reduced variability within deceleration Biphasic deceleration shape Tachysystole (more than 5 contractions/10mins)
What counts as a pathological CTG?
2 or more non-reassuring features OR 1 abnormal feature
1 non-reassuring = suspicious
What is the gold standard for foetal heart rate monitoring and what circumstances is it done in?
Scalp ECG (STAN) At least 2cm dilated and ruptured membranes
When would foetal scalp blood sampling be done?
If CTG pathological and sufficiently dilated to perform
To check foetal oxygenation
Small incision on scalp, capillary tube to collect blood
What is checked on foetal scalp blood sampling?
Mostly looking at pH
>7.25 is normal, less than this is abnormal - delivery
If borderline, repeat in 30 mins, keep checking CTG
If normal, but CTG abnormal, repeat blood sample
Give some examples of non-pharmacological obstetric anaesthesia
Trained support Acupuncture Hypnotherapy Massage TENS Hydrotherapy Aromatherapy Homeotherapy
What pharmacological analgesia may be given in obstetrics?
Entono, paracetamol, codeine
Opioids - Single shot or PCA
Regional techniques - epidural or spinal, combined
What are side effects of morphine?
Nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, pruritis, drowsiness
What opioids are given single shot and what are given PCA/IV?
Single shot - morphine, diamorphine, pethidine
PCA/IV - Renifentanol - short-acting, more able to match peaks and less side effects
Which opioid should not be given in 2nd stage of labour?
Diamorphine - eliminated quickly through placenta
Which opioid increases seizure risk?
Pethidine
Where does epidural go and what are the risks?
L3/4 through spinous ligaments but not through dura.
Large needle as places catheter into extradural space - risk of puncturing dura and causing post-dural headache
- bupivacaine or fentanyl
Where is spinal done and what are the risks?
L3/L4 through spinous ligaments and through dura into CSF
Smaller needle with ongoing catheter - single dose which can last about 1hr
Bupivacaine used
What are absolute and relative contraindications to regional analgesia?
Absolute - maternal refusal, local infection, allergy
Relative: Coagulopathy, systemic infection, Hypovolaemia, Abnormal anatomy/scoliosis, fixed cardiac output
What are side effects of regional analgesia?
Vasodilatation, drop in BP, Analgesia, motor blockade, fever
Post-dural headache, neurological problems
In CS, numbed up to T3/T4 - risk of resp depression
When are spinals preferred?
For caesarean sections
When might general anaesthetic be used in CS?
Imminent threat to mother or foetus
Contraindication to regional
Maternal preference
Failed regional
What are the risks with GA in CS?
Aspiration - give antacids preoperatively
Foetal Respiratory distress - adequate oxygenation pre-op
Failed intubation - extubate when awake
Lack of awareness
Give analgesia afterwards
When should a woman be sutured before?
16 weeks, then removed in last month of pregnancy
What defines an APH?
Bleeding from anywhere in genital tract >50ml after 24th week
(if less than 50ml it is called a PV bleed)
What are obstetric causes of APH?
Placenta praevia Placenta accreta Vasa praevia Abruption Infection Also think: domestic violence, drug, cancer
What is placenta praevia and how may it be classified?
= low-lying placenta within 2cm of internal os
Major means completely covering os
Minor means partially covering os
When is placenta praevia identified and what is monitored after this?
Identified usually at 20 week USS
Further USS to monitor if moves up uterus as uterus expands
Bleeding may be due to placenta praevia as vessel invasion of cervix
What is placenta accreta?
Placenta has invaded myometrium of uterus with no cleavage between placenta and uterus - very serious
What is vasa praevia?
Foetal vessels run in membrane across cervical os - small amount of blood loss will cause foetal distress
What infections may cause APH?
Cervical or PID
Will get irritation and bleeding
How is placenta praevia diagnosed?
Diagnosed at 20 week anomaly scan - high presenting part, abnormal lie
If anterior placenta and previous CS, may be invasive disease