Obs&Gynae Flashcards
Name 4 risk factors for ovarian cancer
Age >60
Family history (BRCA1 or BRCA2)
Increased number of ovulations:
Early menarche
Late menopause
Nulliparity - as pregnancy stops ovulation
Link with recurrent use of clomifene (stimulates ovaries to ovulate - used for subfertility)
Name 3 protective factors for ovarian cancer
Inhibition of ovulation
Combined contraceptive pill
Breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Most common type and subtype of ovarian cancer
Epithelial cell tumours (90%)
- serous tumours most common subtype (70-80%)
Presentation of ovarian cancer (4)
Non-specific symptoms (causes poor prognosis)
Abdominal bloating
Loss of appetite
Pelvic pain
Urinary symptoms e.g. urgency
Weight loss
Abdominal or pelvic mass
Ascites
Hip or groin pain - from obturator nerve being pressed by mass
Initial investigations for ovarian cancer
CA125 blood test (not very specific) - if raised, urgent abdomen and pelvic ultrasound
Management of ovarian cancer
Combination of surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy
Prognosis of ovarian cancer
80% of women have advanced disease at presentation
All stage 5 year survival is 46%
Fibroids definition
Benign smooth muscle tumours of the uterus
Also known as uterine leiomyomas
In which ethnic group are fibroids more common
Afro Caribbean women
Presentation of fibroids
May be asymptomatic
Most frequent presenting symptom = Menorrhagia - may result in iron-deficiency anaemia
Bulk-related Sx - cramping pains during menstruation, bloating, urinary Sx e.g. frequency
Sub-fertility
Palpable mass (firm, non-tender)
Diagnostic Ix of fibroids
TV ultrasound
Surgical options for larger fibroids (>3 cm)
Myomectomy (only effective treatment for fibroids causing fertility problems)
Other:
Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation
Hysterectomy
Uterine artery embolisation
4 medical management options for fibroids <3cm / menorrhagia secondary to fibroids
1st line Symptomatic management/trying to conceive: NSAIDs + tranexamic acid or mefanamic acid
If not trying to conceive:
1st line: Mirena coil (levonorgestrel intrauterine system)
2nd line: Combined oral contraceptive
Cyclical oral progestogens
When are GnRH agonists e.g. goserelin typically used in the treatment of fibroids + why are they only used short term?
Before surgery to reduce size of fibroid
only used short term due to side effect profile: menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, vaginal dryness), loss of bone mineral density
Major complication of fibroids during pregnancy
Red degeneration of fibroids
ischaemia, infarction and necrosis of the fibroid due to disrupted blood supply (oestrogen makes the fibroids grow with demand beyond supply)
more likely to occur in larger fibroids during the second/third trimester
How does red degeneration of fibroids present
Severe abdominal pain
Low grade fever
Tachycardia
Vomiting
managed conservatively with rest and analgesia
Early miscarriage definition
Before 12 weeks gestation
Late miscarriage definition
Between 12 and 24 weeks
Missed miscarriage definition
gestational sac contains dead foetus before 24 weeks without symptoms of expulsion / cervix closed
Threatened miscarriage definition
vaginal bleeding typically 6-9 weeks but closed cervix os + foetus alive
Inevitable miscarriage definition
vaginal bleeding with clots and pain + open cervix os
Incomplete miscarriage definition
foetus no longer alive but retained products of conception remain + cervical os is open
Investigation of choice for diagnosing miscarriage + findings in sequential order
TV ultrasound:
Mean gestational sac diameter
Fetal pole and crown-rump length
Fetal heartbeat
Anembryonic pregnancy
When the gestational sac is >25 m and no embryonic/fetal part can be seen
3 types of management for miscarriage
Expectant (do nothing + await spontaneous miscarriage for 1-2 weeks) 1st line for women with no risk factors
Medical (misoprostol)
Surgical
Misoprostol definiton + use in miscarriage
Prostaglandin analogue: PGE1: softens the cervix and stimulates uterine contractions leading to expulsion of tissue
Given as vaginal suppository + as pain relief
3 reasons to use medical or surgical management of miscarriage instead of expectant
Increased risk of haemorrhage
Previous adverse/traumatic experience associated with pregnancy
Evidence of infection
Two main surgical management options for miscarriage
Manual vacuum aspiration under local anaesthetic as an outpatient (<10 weeks gestation)
Electric vacuum aspiration under general anaesthetic in theatre
Pelvic inflammatory disease most common causative organism
Chlamydia trachomatis
Mild PID management
Start antibiotics immediately before swab results
1st line:
CEFTRIAXONE singular IM dose
followed by 14 days of: oral DOXYCYCLINE PLUS oral METRONIDAZOLE twice daily
Leave in a recently inserted coil - if no response to Abx after 72 hours, remove coil and prescribe emergency contraceptives
Presentation of PID
Lower abdo pain
Cervical excitation
Fever
Deep dyspareunia
Dysuria and menstrual irregularities
Vaginal discharge
PID investigations
Pregnancy test to exclude ectopic pregnancy
High vaginal swab - these are often NEGATIVE (difficult to diagnose)
Screen for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
fever > 38 = severe infection = admit to hospital
4 complications of PID
Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh Curtis syndrome) - 10% of cases, RUQ pain, radiation to shoulder
Infertility - 10-20% after single episode
Chronic pelvic pain
Ectopic pregnancy
Causes of raised CA125 (4)
Ovarian cancer
Breast cancer
Adenomyosis
Ascites
Endometriosis
Menstruation
Ovarian torsion
Endometrial cancer
Liver disease
Placental abruption definition
Separation of a normally sited placenta from the uterine wall, resulting in maternal haemorrhage into the intervening space
Occurs in approx 1/200 pregnancies
Name 5 risk factors for placental abruption
Previous PA
Hypertension (proteinuric)
IUGR
Cocaine use
Multiparty
Maternal trauma (consider DV)
Increasing maternal age
Smoking
Presentation of placental abruption
PAIN: Continuous, sudden onset, severe abdominal pain
BLEEDING: Vaginal bleeding (antepartum haemorrhage)
SHOCK: (hypotension and tachycardia) out of keeping with visible blood loss
TENDERNESS: Tender, tense uterus - abdomen “woody” abdomen on palpation
FETUS: Abnormalities on the CTG indicating fetal distress, lie normal + engaged
4 severity scales of antepartum haemorrhage
Spotting
Minor haemorrhage - less than 50ml
Major haemorrhage - 50 - 1000ml
Massive haemorrhage - more than 1000ml or signs of shock
Maternal complications of placental abruption
Shock
DIC
Renal failure
PPH
Fetal complications of placental abruption
IUGR
Hypoxia
Death - responsible for 15% of perinatal deaths
1st line Management of placental abruption < 36 weeks
Fetal distress: Immediate caesarean section
No fetal distress: IV dexamethasone and monitoring
1st line Management of placental abruption fetus alive and > 36 weeks
Fetal distress: immediate caesarean
No fetal distress: deliver vaginally
Three causes of antepartum haemorrhage
Placenta praevia
Placental abruption
Vasa praevia
Placenta praevia definition
A placenta lying wholly or partly in the lower uterine segment, lower than the fetus + over the internal cervical os
- Praevia = Going before *
Risks of placenta praevia
Maternal (4):
Antepartum haemorrhage
Emergency c-section
Emergency hysterectomy
Maternal anaemia and transfusions
Fetal (2):
Preterm birth and low birth weight
Stillbirth
Risk factors associated with placenta praevia
Multiparty
Multiple pregnancy
Previous c-section (due to embryo implanting on scar tissue)
Previous PP
Older maternal age
Maternal smoking
Assisted reproduction e.g. IVF
Presentation of placenta praevia (differential from placental abruption)
PAIN: no pain
SHOCK: in proportion to visible loss of blood
BLEEDING: red and often profuse (often history of small APHs)
TENDERNESS: Uterus not tender
FETUS: lie abnormal/head high, heart rate usually normal
In suspected placenta praevia, what investigation should not be performed before an ultrasound?
Digital vaginal examination as it may provoke a severe haemorrhage
Investigation of choice for suspected placenta praevia
TV ultrasound
Next step if low lying placenta found at 20 week scan
Rescan at 32 weeks to assess
Grading of placenta praevia
I - reaches lower segment but not internal os
II - reaches internal os but doesn’t cover it
III - placenta covers internal os before dilation but not when dilated
IV / major - placenta completely covers the internal os
Management of woman with grade III/IV placenta praevia at final ultrasound at the 36-37 weeks
Offer elective Caesarian section between 37-38 weeks
Management: woman with known placenta praevia goes into labour (with or without bleeding) prior to elective Caesarian section
Emergency Caesarian section - due to risk of PPH (major cause of death in women with placenta praevia)
Which medication is given between 34 and 35+6 weeks to mature the fetal lungs if there is a risk of preterm delivery in PP
Corticosteroids
3 measurements on ultrasound used to assess fetal size
Head circumference
Abdominal circumference
Femur length
Low birth weight definition
< 2500g at any gestational age
Fetal/intrauterine growth restriction (FGR/IUGR) definition
Small fetus due to PATHOLOGY:
1. placenta mediated (reduced amounts of nutrients and oxygen being delivered to the fetus through the placenta)
2. non-placenta mediated (e.g. genetic abnormality)
Constitutionally small definition
Size matching the mothers and others in the family and growing appropriately on the growth chart
4 causes of placenta mediated FGR
Pre-eclampsia
Maternal smoking
Maternal alcohol
Malnutrition
Definition of large for gestational age
Weight of new born = > 4.5kg / pregnancy = above 90th centile
(also known as macrosomia)
Major cause of macrosomia
Gestational diabetes
Major risk of macrosomia during birth
Shoulder dystocia
3 antibiotics commonly considered safe in pregnancy
PeniCillins
Cephalosporins
Clindamycin
Avoid the Ts and keep the Cs
Important risk of developing a UTI in pregnancy
Preterm delivery
Only category of patients tested for asymptomatic bacteriuria
Pregnant women
x 2 urine cultures needed to confirm
Two most common organisms found in pregnancy UTI
E.coli
Klebsiella pneumoniae
management of UTI in pregnancy
Urine culture should be sent in all symptomatic cases and at the first antenatal visit to test for asymptomatic bacteriuria
Symptomatic/Asyptomatic - 7 days of:
Nitrofurantoin (avoid in third trimester due to risk of neonatal haemolysis)
OR
Amoxicillin (only after sensitivities are known)
OR
Cefalexin
Why is Trimethoprim use avoided in pregnancy
Folate antagonist (congenital malformations particularly neural tube defects e.g. spina bifida)
Risk factors for urinary incontinence
Advancing age
Previous pregnancy and childbirth
Postmenopause
High BMI
Hysterectomy
Family history
Types of urinary incontinence with definitions
Urge incontinence: overactivity of the detrusor muscle i.e. overactive bladder - struggle to get to the toilet on time once you need it (urgency)
Stress incontinence: weakness of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles - urine leaks out at times of increased pressure e.g. laughing, coughing, surprises
Mixed: urge + stress
Overflow incontinence: bladder outlet obstruction e.g. prostate enlargement
Functional incontinence: comorbid physical conditions e.g. dementia
Urinary incontinence investigations
Bladder diary for minimum of 3 days
Urinalysis to rule out UTI or DM and cultures if infection is present^
Post-void residual bladder volume using bladder scan
Vaginal examination to exclude pelvic organ prolapse
Urodynamic testing
^In patients > 65 urinalysis is not performed to assess for UTIs as asymptomatic bacteriuria is common
Urge incontinence management
1st line: bladder retraining (6 weeks, gradually increase intervals between voiding)
2nd line: bladder stabilising drugs - antimuscarinics are 1st line (oxybutinin, tolterodine or darifenacin), mirabegron can be used in frail elderly patients where anticholinergic SE are a concern i.e. confusion
Stress incontinence management
1st line: pelvic floor muscle training (at least 8 contractions 3 times per day for 3 months)
2nd line: surgery - retropubic mid-urethral tape procedures
3rd line if surgery is declined: Medication - Duloxetine (SNRI) acts on pudendal nerve to cause contraction
Clinical features of endometriosis
Chronic pelvic pain (over 6 months) - cyclical or continuous
Secondary dysmenorrhea (pain often starts days before bleeding)
Deep dyspareunia
Subfertility
Non-gynaecological: urinary symptoms (dysuria, urgency, haematuria), dyschezia (painful bowel movements)
O/E pelvis: reduced organ mobility, tender nodulatirty
Endometriosis gold standard investigation
Laparoscopy
Management of endometriosis
1st line for symptomatic relief: NSAIDs/paracetamol
2nd line: Hormonal treatments e.g. 1st line COC, 2nd line progestogens e.g. IUD, pill, injection, implant ?
3rd line: GnRH analogues (induce pseudomenopause)
Trying to conceive: surgery
- laparoscopic excision or ablation of endometriosis plus adhesiolysis
- ovarian cystectomy for endometriomas
Types of ovarian cyst (4)
Functional cysts i.e. follicular/corpus luteum
Benign germ cell tumours
Benign epithelial tumours
Benign sex cord stromal tumours
Management of complex (I.E. multi-loculated) ovarian cysts
Biopsy to exclude malignancy
Types of physiological/functional cyst
Follicular cysts:
- commonest type of ovarian cyst
- non-rupture of the developing follicle
- commonly regress after several menstrual cycles
Corpus luteum cysts:
- corpus luteum doesn’t break down (e.g. early pregnancy) and fills with fluid
Type of benign germ cell tumour usually lined with epithelial tissue and may contain skin appendages, hair and teeth
Dermoid cyst
- most common benign ovarian tumour in woman under the age of 30 years
Clinical presentation of ovarian cyst where further investigations would NOT be needed
Premenopausal woman with a simple ovarian cyst less than 5cm on ultrasound
Ovarian torsion involving fallopian tube name
Adnexal torsion
Risk factors for ovarian torsion
Ovarian mass (present in 90%)
Reproductive age
Pregnancy
Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome
Clinical presentation of ovarian torsion
Sudden onset of deep seated colicky abdominal pain (DDx: appendicitis unlikely to be of sudden onset)
Associated with vomiting and distress
Vaginal examination may reveal adnexial tenderness
DDx with appendicitis: leucocytosis in appendicitis
Diagnostic investigation/1st line treatment for ovarian torsion
Laparoscopy / surgical detorsion
4 signs of labour
Regular and painful uterine contractions
A show (shedding of mucous plug)
Rupture of the membranes (not always)
Shortening and dilation of the cervix
3 stages of labour
Stage 1: from the onset of true labour to when the cervix is fully dilated (10cm)
Stage 2: from full dilation to birth of the fetus
Stage 3: from birth of fetus to when the placenta and membranes have been completely delivered
Monitoring in labour (with timings)
FHR every 15 min (or continuously via CTG)
Contractions every 30 min
Maternal pulse rate every hour
Every 4 hours:
Maternal BP + temp
VE should be offered to check progression
Maternal urine (for ketones + proteins)
2 phases of Stage 1 labour
Latent phase = 0-3cm dilation (normally takes 6 hours)
Active phase = 3-10cm dilation (normally 1cm/hr)
Indications for induction of labour (4)
- Prolonged pregnancy e.g. 1-2 weeks after the estimated date of delivery
- Prelabour premature rupture of the membranes, where labour does not start
- Maternal medical problems (diabetic mother > 38 wks, pre-eclampsia, obstetric cholestasis)
- Intrauterine fetal death
Bishop score factors
C-SPED (cervix changes in labour)
Cervical Consistency
Fetal Station
Cervical Position
Cervical Effacement/Ripening (thinning)
Cervical Dilation
Interpretation of the bishop score
< 5 = labour is unlikely to start without induction
> 8 = cervix is ripe/favourable and there is a high chance of spontaneous labour or response to interventions to induce labour
Preferred method of induction if Bishop score is < 6
Vaginal prostaglandins or oral misoprostol
If there is a high risk of hyper stimulation/previous C section:
Mechanical methods such as balloon catheter
Preferred method of induction if Bishop score is >6
Amniotomy and an IV oxytocin infusion
Possible methods of labour induction
Membrane sweep (adjunct)
Vaginal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) - dinoprostone
Oral prostaglandin E1 - misoprostol
Maternal oxytocin infusion
Amniotomy (breaking of waters)
Cervical ripening balloon
Main complication of induction of labour
Uterine hyperstimulation
- prolonged and frequent uterine contractions (tachysystole)
- interruption of blood flow to the intervillous space over time may result in fetal hypoxemia and academia
Management of uterine hyperstimulation
Remove the vaginal prostaglandins if possible and stop the oxytocin infusion
Consider tocolysis
Clinical presentation ectopic pregnancy
Lower abdominal/iliac fossa pain (constant/unilateral)
Vaginal bleeding
History of recent amenorrhoea (typically 6-8 weeks from start of last period)
Peritoneal bleeding can cause shoulder tip pain and pain of defecation
Examination findings ectopic pregnancy
Pain and abdominal tenderness
Pelvic tenderness
Cervical excitation (cervical motion tenderness)
Investigation of choice for ectopic pregnancy
Transvaginal ultrasound (adnexal mass moving separately to ovary)
Criteria for performing expectant management of ectopic pregnancy (monitoring over 48 hours before intervening)
Size <35 mm
Unruptured embryo
Asymptomatic
No fetal heartbeat
HCG < 1000
Management option of ectopic pregnancy
hCG level <1500, unruptured, symptomatic (but not significant pain), size <35mm
IM methotrexate
Ectopic pregnancy >35 mm in size or B-hCG >5000 or presence of foetal heartbeat
Surgical management (laparoscopic salpingectomy or salpingotomy)
Salpingectomy vs salpingotomy for management of ectopic pregnancy
SalpingECTOMY (removal): 1st line for women with no other risk factors for fertility
SalpingOTOMY (incision): consider for women with risk factors for infertility such as contralateral tube damage
NB: 1 in 5 women who undergo salpingotomy require further treatment (methotrexate or salpingectomy)
Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy (8)
DAISIE
Damage to tubes i.e. PID, surgery
Age > 35
IVF (3%)
Smoking
IUCD / Progesterone only pill
Endometriosis / previous Ectopic
Where is the most dangerous location for an ectopic to localise
Isthmus
Most common site of ectopic pregnancy
Ampulla of fallopian tube
Primary amenorrhoea definition
Failure to establish menstruation by 16 years with normal secondary sexual characteristics (e.g. breast development) or by 14 years with no secondary sexual characteristics
Secondary amenorrhoea definition
Cessation of menstruation for at least 6 months in women with previous normal and regular menses, or 12 months in women with previous oligomenorrhoea
Causes of primary amenorrhoea
Normal secondary sexual characteristics
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome (testicular feminisation)
- Imperforate hymen (consider if painful cycles with no bleeding)
No secondary sexual characteristics
Hypogonadrotropic hypogonadism (low FSH and LH)
- Functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (e.g. secondary to anorexia)
Hypergonadotropic (high FSH and LH)
- Gonadal dysgenesis (e.g. Turner’s syndrome) - MOST COMMON CAUSE OF PRIMARY AMENORRHOEA
Heterosexual development:
5. CAH
Causes of secondary amenorrhoea (after excluding pregnancy)
Hypothalamic amenorrhoea (e.g. secondary stress, excessive exercise)
Hyperprolactinaemia, hypopituitarism
Sheehan’s syndrome
Thyrotoxicosis
PCOS
Premature ovarian failure
Asherman’s syndrome (intrauterine adhesions)
Think: endocrine organs
Investigations for amenorrhoea
Exclude pregnancy with urine or serum bHCG
FBC, U+E, coeliac screen, TFT
Gonadotropins (low levels = hypothalamic, raised levels = ovarian / gonadal dysgenesis (e.g. Turners))
Prolactin
Androgen levels (PCOS)
Oestradiol
Androgen insensitivity syndrome key points (3)
- X-linked recessive condition
- 46 XY
- end-organ resistance to testosterone causing genotypically male children to have a female phenotype
What to exclude when diagnosing secondary amenorrhoea
Exclude pregnancy, lactation, and menopause (in women 40+)
Features of androgen insensitivity syndrome
Primary amenorrhoea
Little or no axillary and pubic hair
Undescended testes causing groin swellings
Breast development may occur as a result of the conversion of testosterone to oestradiol
Diagnosis of androgen insensitivity syndrome
Buccal smear or chromosomal analysis to reveal 46XY genotype
After puberty, testosterone concentrations are in the high-normal to slightly elevated reference range for postpubertal boys
Management of androgen insensitivity syndrome
Counselling - raise the child as female
Bilateral orchidectomy
Oestrogen therapy
Pathology of androgen insensitivity syndrome
XY without androgen influence
No stimulation from androgens during embryogenesis = Wolffian ducts aren’t maintained = no male internal or external genitalia
SRY gene on the Y chromosome = obliteration of Müllerian ducts / testes remain
UKMEC 3 conditions for COC
> 35 years old and smoking < 15 cigarettes/day (UKMEC 4 = >35 + > 15)
BMI > 35
carrier of BRCA1/BRCA2
family history of thromboembolic disease in first degree relatives < 45 years
controlled hypertension
immobility e.g. wheel chair use
most epilepsy medication
current gallbladder disease
UKMEC 4 conditions for COC
> 35 years old and smoking > 15 cigarettes/day
breast feeding < 6 weeks post-partum
current breast cancer
migraine with aura
uncontrolled hypertension
history of thromboembolic disease, stroke or ischaemic heart disease
major surgery with prolonged immobilisation
Most effective method of emergency contraception
Copper coil
99% effective regardless of where it is used in the cycle
Should be offered unless contraindicated
3 options for emergency contraception after UPSI:
72 hours
120 hours
5 days
72 hours = Levonorgestrel
120 hours = Ulipristal (C/I in severe asthma)
5 days = IUD/copper coil (5 days after UPSI or within 5 days of ovulation)
NB: levonorgestrel and ulipristal work by inhibiting ovulation so will be less effective after ovulation
Downs syndrome combined test (11 to 13+6 weeks)
Ultrasound: Nuchal translucency measurement (thickened)
Maternal blood test:
1. Serum B-HCG (high)
2 Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) (low)
Also screens for Edwards + Patau’s
Downs syndrome triple/quadruple blood test (for women 15-20 weeks)
alpha-fetoprotein
unconjugated oestriol
human chorionic gonadotrophin
triple
+ inhibin A
quadruple
Fetal anomolies DDx Down Syndrome vs Edward syndrome (trisomy 18) / Patau syndrome (trisomy 13)
hCG tends to be high in down syndrome
Management of higher chance combined/quad test
1st: Non-invasive prenatal screening test (NIPT) high sensitivity + specificity so preferred choice
Diagnostic tests also offered:
Amniocentesis
Chorionic villus sampling
Conditions which all pregnant women should be offered screening
Anaemia
Bacteriuria
Blood group, Rhesus status and anti-red cell antibodies
Down’s syndrome
Fetal anomalies
Hepatitis B
HIV
Syphilis
Neural tube defects
Risk factors for pre-eclampsia
Antenatal care: 8-12 weeks (ideally under 10 weeks)
Booking visit
- General information
- BP, urine dipstick, check BMI
Booking bloods/urine
FBC (inc. anaemia), blood group, rhesus status, red cell alloantibodies, haemoglobinopathies, hepatitis B, syphilis, HIV
When is Down’s syndrome screened for
11 - 13+6
Antenatal care: 18-20+6 weeks
Anomaly scan
Antenatal care: 28 weeks
Routine care: BP, urine dipstick, SFH
Second screen for anaemia and atypical red cell antibodies If Hb < 10.5 g/dl consider iron
First dose of anti-D prophylaxis to rhesus negative women
when is anti-D given in Rh-negative women
28 and 34 weeks
diagnostic thresholds for gestational diabetes
fasting glucose is >= 5.6 mmol/L
2-hour glucose is >= 7.8 mmol/L
5678
RF for gestational diabetes (7)
- Previous gestational diabetes
- First degree relative with DM
- Previous macrosomic baby (>4.5kg)
- Obesity (BMI > 30)
- Family origin with a high prevalence of diabetes (South Asian, black Caribbean and Middle Eastern)
- PCOS
- Maternal age >40
Screening for gestational diabetes
OGTT is gold standard
Previous GD: ASAP after booking (13-14 weeks) and 24-28 weeks if normal
Risk factors for GD e.g. 1st degree relative with diabetes: OGTT at 24-28 weeks
Management of a women with >1 high risk factor or >2 moderate factors for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
aspirin 75-150mg daily from 12 weeks gestation until the birth
Initial management after assessment of pre-eclampsia
arrange emergency secondary care assessment for any woman in whom pre-eclampsia is suspected
1st line medication pre-eclampsia/hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
Oral labetalol
Asthmatic, HF, heart block: Nifedipine
pre-eclampsia definition
new-onset blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg after 20 weeks of pregnancy, AND 1 or more of the following:
- proteinuria
- other organ involvement e.g. renal insufficiency (creatinine ≥ 90 umol/L), liver, neurological, haematological, uteroplacental dysfunction
Risk factors for endometrial cancer (4)
- excess oestrogen (nulliparity, early menarche, late menopause, unopposed oestrogen e.g. HRT w/o progestogen)
- metabolic syndrome (obesity, diabetes mellitus, pcos)
- tamoxifen
- hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma
Protective factors of endometrial cancer (3)
multiparity
COC
smoking
Classic symptom of endometrial cancer
postmenopausal bleeding
All women >= 55 years who present with postmenopausal bleeding should be referred using the suspected cancer pathway
1st line investigation endometrial cancer
1st line: TV ultrasound
Diagnostic: hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy
Basic investigations for infertility
semen analysis
serum progesterone 7 days prior to expected next period. For a typical 28 day cycle, this is done on day 21: >30 indicates ovulation
4 key counselling points for infertility
folic acid
aim for BMI 20-25
advise regular sexual intercourse every 2 to 3 days
smoking/drinking advice
3 types of urogenital prolapse
Uterine descent
Cystocele
Rectocele
Presentation of urogenital prolapse
sensation of pressure, heaviness, ‘bearing-down’
urinary symptoms: incontinence, frequency, urgency
4 risk factors for urogenital prolapse
increasing age
multiparity, vaginal deliveries
obesity
spina bifida
80% of vulval cancers type
squamous cell carcinomas
Typical of onset vulval cancer
Over 65
2 features of vulval cancer
lump or ulcer on the labia majora
inguinal lymphadenopathy
age with highest incidence of cervical cancer in UK
25-29
Most common type of cervical cancer
squamous cell cancer (80%)
adenocarcinoma (20%)
Features cervical cancer
Postcoital, intermenstrual or postmenopausal bleeding
Purulent discharge
Red brown discharge
may be detected during routine cervical cancer screening
Major cause of cervical cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly serotypes 16,18 & 33
risk factors for cervical cancer
smoking
human immunodeficiency virus
early first intercourse, many sexual partners
high parity
lower socioeconomic status
combined oral contraceptive pill
aged 45-49
Levels of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia/dysplasia (CIN) found during colposcopy + biopsy
CIN 1: mild dysplasia, affecting 1/3 the thickness of the epithelial layer, likely to return to normal without treatment
CIN 2: moderate dysplasia, affecting 2/3 the thickness of the epithelial layer, likely to progress to cancer if untreated
CIN 3: severe dysplasia, very likely to progress to cancer if untreated
Treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 and 3
Large loop excision of transformation zone (LLETZ)
Screen done at 6 months as a test of cure
cervical screening post pregnancy
usually delayed until 3 months post partum
risks associated with monoamniotic monozygotic twin pregnancies
spontaneous miscarriage, perinatal mortality
malformations, IUGR, prematurity
twin-to-twin transfusions
predisposing factors for dizygotic twins
previous twins
family history
increasing maternal age
multigravida
induced ovulation and in-vitro fertilisation
race e.g. Afro-Caribbean
Antenatal complications of multiple pregnancy (4)
- polyhydramnios
- pregnancy induced hypertension
- anaemia
- antepartum haemorrhage
Labour complications of multiple pregnancy
PPH increased (*2)
malpresentation
cord prolapse, entanglement
Vasa praevia emergency presentation
Rupture of membranes followed immediately by painless vaginal bleeding
Followed by foetal compromise (fetal bradycardia is classically seen)
Membrane rupture leads to major fetal haemorrhage (mortality 60%)
screening tool for post partum depression
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
6 important hormones in labour
Oxytocin (uterine contraction)
Prolactin (begins milk production)
Oestrogen (inhibits progesterone to prepare smooth muscles)
Prostaglandins (cervical ripening)
B-endorphins (pain relief)
Adrenaline (energy)
Mechanisms of labour
Descent
Engagement
Flexion
Internal rotation
Crowning
Extension of presenting part
Restitution
External rotation
Delivery
2 membranes of the placenta
Amnion (around the baby)
Chorion (around the placenta)
Antepartum haemorrhage definition
Bleeding from anywhere within the genital tract after the 24th week of pregnancy
Eclampsia
Onset of seizures in a woman with pre-eclampsia
Seizures in a pregnant woman are always eclampsiauntil proven otherwise
Management of eclampsia
Stabilise mum first, then deliver baby
-
IV magnesium sulphate
Treatment should continue 24 hours after delivery or 24 hours after last seizure
Monitor reflexes + resp rate - Treat hypertension(labetalol , nifedipine, hydralazine)
Risk factors for sepsis in pregnancy
Obesity
Diabetes
Impaired immunity / immunosuppressantmeds
Anaemia
History of group B Strepinfection
Amniocentesis and otherinvasive procedures
Cord prolapse
Occurs when cord is presenting(first cord, thenbaby)
After rupturing membrane
Exposure of the cord leads to vasospasm
Can causesignificant riskoffetalmorbidityandmortality from hypoxia
Cord prolapse risk factors
Premature rupture membranes
Polyhydramnios
Long umbilical cord
Fetalmalpresentation
Multiparity
Multiple pregnancy
Assessing the 4 causes of PPH
The four ‘T’s
-Tissue: ensure placenta complete(MROP)
-Tone: ensure uterus contracted(uterotonics)
-Trauma: look for tears(repair)
-Thrombin: check clotting(transfusion RPC/ CP/FFP)
Sulfonamides in 3rd trimester associated risk
Associated with kernicterus
When should nitrofurantoin be avoided in pregnancy
3rd trimester due to risk of haemolytic anaemia in neonate with G6PD deficiency
Investigation for pregnancy of unknown location
Serum bHCG baseline and repeated after 48 hours
- Intrauterine = bHCG doubles
- Ectopic = rises but doesn’t double
- Miscarriage = falls by half or more
Management option for ovarian torsion if the ovary is non-viable, involvement of fallopian tube, malignancy
Salpingo-oophorectomy
Risk factors for IUGR
Maternal age of <16 or >35
Low BMI/Pre-pregnancy weight of >75kg
Pre-eclampsia
Trisomy 18
Low inter pregnancy interval (<6 months) or high (>120 months)
Premature preterm rupture of membranes investigation
Presence of pool of fluid in the vagina at sterile speculum examination
No pooling of fluid: test the fluid for PAMG-1 or IGF-1
Ultrasound may show oligohydramnios
Management of preterm premature rupture of the membranes
oral erythromycin for 10 days (or until the woman is in established labour) to prevent chorioamnionitis
antenatal corticosteroids to reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome e.g. IM betamethasone
delivery should be considered at 34 weeks gestation
When does premature prelabour rupture of the membranes occur before
36 + 6 weeks
associated with preterm birth
5 differential factors to remember placental abruption vs placenta praevia
SHOCK
PAIN
BLEEDING
TENDERNESS
FETUS
uterine rupture (complete)
Rupture of the muscle layer of the uterus (myometrium)
Complete rupture = contents of the uterus are released into the peritoneal cavity
This leads to significant bleeding and high morbidity and mortality for baby and mother
Major risk factor for uterine rupture
Previous caesarean section
scar on the uterus becomes susceptible to rupture with excessive pressure e.g. excessive stimulation by oxytocin
key presenting feature of uterine rupture
ceasing of uterine contractions
management of uterine rupture
emergency C section
management of pregnant woman with previous VTE
prophylactic low molecular weight heparin throughout antenatal period and 6 weeks postnatal
Risk factors pregnancy VTE
Previous VTE
Age > 35
BMI > 30
Parity > 3
Smoker
Pre-eclampsia
Multiple pregnancy
Thrombophilia (Factor V Leiden deficiency)
Which medications should be avoided in management of VTE in pregnancy
DOACs e.g. apixaban + warfarin
use LMWH e.g. dalteparin
Non-viable pregnancy definition
crown rump length (CRL) measures 7mm or more with no heartbeat