Obs & Gynae Cards Flashcards
what is the normal change in blood pressure during pregnancy
falls by about 30/15mmHg in second trimester (both nohmal and chronically hypertensive women experience this)
by term it will have risen to pre-pregnant levels
urine protein excretion in pregnancy should stay below what
0.3g/24hrs
in what percentage of pregnancies does pre-eclampsia occur
6%
draw the flow diagram of HTN in pregnancy
what is the definition of pre-eclampsia
this is HTN >140/90mmHg AND proteinuria 0.3g/24hrs
when does pre-eclampsia occur
- early onset pre-eclampsia
- occurs before 34 weeks
- typically foetus is growth restricted
- late onset pre-eclampsia
- occurs after 34 weeks
- not associated with growth restriction
- fetal death may still occur
what is the pathophys of pre-eclampsia
- first step in early onset
- oxidative stress caused by poor perfusion of the placenta due to incompletely formed spiral arteries
- first stage in late onset
- apparently normal placenta outgrows its blood supply and poor perfusion also causes oxidative stress
- second step
- oxidative stress makes placenta secrete proteins that regulate angiogenesis
- sFlt-1 INCREASES
- PlGF DECREASES
- these factors lead to
- vasoconstriction
- widespread endothelial cell damage
- clotting dysfunction
- oxidative stress makes placenta secrete proteins that regulate angiogenesis
pre-eclampsia is severe if
- HTN > 160/110mmHg
- there are symptoms
what is regarded as significant proteinuria
>30mg/nmol protein:creatinine ratio
>0.3g/24hr collection
when to give aspirin in early pregnancy
- any of the following
- hypertensive disease during previous pregnancy
- CKD
- SLE
- antiphospholipid syndrome
- TIDM or TIIDM
- chronic hypertension
- any two of the following
- nulliparous
- age >40
- pregnancy interval >10yrs
- BMI >35
- family history of pre-eclampsia
- multiple pregnancy
management of pregnant women with HTN
- if no proteinuria and HTN is <160/110mmHg they’re managed as outpatients
- regular BP and urinalysis
- USS every 2-4 weeks
- admission if
- HTN>160/110
- OR
- Proteinuria >0.3g/24hrs or PCR 30mg/nmol
clinical features of pre-eclampsia
usually asymptomativc
oedema
headaches
visual disturbances
drowsiness
hypertension usually the first sign
epigastric tenderness would suggest impending consequences
what would be an indication for delivery in pre-eclampsia REGARDLESS of gestation
- eclampsia
- i.e. the presence of grand mal seizures
- cerebrovascular haemorrhage
- HELLP syndrome
- DIC
- renal failure
- pulmonary oedema
what is HELLP syndrome
fetal complications of pre-eclampsia
abruption
IUGR (early onset)
increased risk of mortality and morbidity
Ix for admitted woman with pre-eclampsia
24hr urine collection
urea creatinine ratio
FBC (rapid drop in platelets indicative of HELLP)
LFT (for HELLP)
U&E (raised creatinine indicative of renal failure)
USS (to check for foetal growth)
umbilical artery doppler (for foetal wellbeing)
SflT-1:PlGF ratio (increases with risk)
drugs in pre-eclampsia
- if they have HTN they should already be on labetalol
- more antihypertensives given if BP reaches over 150/110
- 1st line is oral nifedipine
- 2nd line is IV labetalol
- these do not change course of disease but they increase safety for mum
- magnesium sulphate prevents eclampsia
- increases cerebral perfusion
- toxicity severe so surveillance important
- if mag sulf is indicated then so is delivery
- steroids to promote pulmonary maturity of baby if delivery is indicated
timing of delivery in hypertensive pregnancies
pre-eclampsia should be delivered by 36 weeks
as a general rule complications will ensue within two weeks of onset of proteinuria
gestational HTN is delivered by 40 weeks as usual
mode of delivery in pre-eclampsia
- c-section
- if before 34 weeks
- if there is severe growth restriction
- induction with prostaglandins
- if after 34 weeks
- maternal pushing should be discouraged if BP reaches 160/110mmHg in 2nd stage
- oxytocin should be used rather than ergometrin for 3rd stage as latter can raise blood pressure
post natal care of patient with pre-eclampsia
- LFTs, platelets and renal function monitored closely
- BP maintained below 140/90 with
- 1st line: labetalol
- 2nd line: nifedipine
which blood pressure meds are teratogenic and shouldn’t be used in pregnancy
ACE inhibitors
what is the definiton of gestational diabetes
carbohydrate intolerance that is diagnosed in preganancy and may not resolve after pregnancy
how often does gestational diabetes occur
16% of pregnancies
how do you diagnose gestational diabetes
- fasting glucose >5.6mmol/L
- glucose tolerance test:
- >7.8mmol/L 2hrs after a 75g glucose load
what are the fetal complications from diabetes
- congenital abnormalities
- cardiac and neural tube increases with poor glucose control
- preterm labour
- fetal lung immaturity at any gestation
- high birthweight
- birth trauma
- shoulder dystocia
- polyhydramnios
- fetal compromise
- sudden fetal death
maternal complications of gestational diabetes
- UTI
- wound/endometrial infection more common following birth
- pre-eclampsia is more common
- c-section of instrumental delivery is more common
- diabetic nephropathy could lead to massive proteinuria and decline in renal function
management of pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy
- consultant lead
- precise glucose control
- monthly HbA1c
- metformin and insulin
- hypoglycaemic drugs are stopped
- statins are stopped
- folic acid given
- aspirin daily from 12 weeks
what should glucose levels be in pregnancy
- fasted in the morning
- <5.3mmol/L
- 1hr after meals
- <7.8mmol/L
mode and timing of delivery in gestational diabetes
delivery between 37 and 39 weeks
elective c section is often the choice if foetal weight exceeds 4kg
the puerperium in gestational diabetes
- neonate may develop hypoglycaemia
- neonatal blood sugar should be checked within 4hrs of birth
- breastfeeding is strongly advised
- mother’s dose of insulin needs to be rapidly changed
risk factors for gestational diabetes
BMI >30
previous baby >4.5kg
previous unexplained stillbirth
first degree relative with diabetes
being south asian, carribean or middle eastern
when would you screen women with a glucose tolerance test
if they have risk factors screen at 24-28 weeks
where there is polyhydramnios or persistent plycosuria (remember there can be glycosuria at normal blood surgar levels during pregnancy)
if there is a previous history of gestational diabetes screen at 18 weeks
what are the 6 main considerations of infection in pregnancy
name an example for each
- maternal illness could be worse - e.g. varicella
- maternal complications could occur - e.g. HIV = high risk for pre-eclampsia
- pre-term labour is associated with infection - e.g. BV
- vertical transmission of otherwise mild infections could cause miscarriage or be teratogenic - e.g. rubella
- neurological damage is more common with infection
- abx limited in pregnancy
what percentage of women develop cytomegalovirus subclinically in pregnancy
1%
what is the rate of vertical transmission of CMV
neonatal effects of cytomegalovirus
- vertical transmission occurs in 40% of infections
- NEONATAL EFFECTS
- IUGR
- pneuomonia
- thrombocytopenia
- deafness
- learning disability
- death
what happens if maternal CMV infection is confirmed
amniocentesis 6 weeks following confirmation of infection will confirm or refute vertical transmission
management of CMV in pregnancy
amniocentesis 6 weeks following confirmed maternal infection
because most maternal infections do not result in neonatal sequalae and amniocentesis involves risk, routine screening is not advised
there is no treatment, screening or vaccination
what is the organism for toxoplasmosis
toxoplasmosis gondii - protozoa
what is the treatment for proven infetion with toxoplasmosis
spiramycin
what are the serious sequalae of maternal toxoplasmosis infection
learning disability
convulsions
spasticity
visual impairment
what percentage of women carry group B strep
25%
what is the other name for group B strep
strep agalactiae
what is the neonatal effect of group B strep
foetus usually infected during labour
can cause sepsis and has high mortality
what are the risk factors for group B strep infection of newborn
maternal fever in labour
prolonged labour (rom >18hrs)
if preterm
positive urine culture for GBS
previous affected neonate
management of group B strep
- vertical transmisson can be prevented with high dose IV abx during labour
treatment of maternal chickenpox
oral acyclovir
foetal abnormalities caused by rubella
deafness
cardiac disease
eye problems
mental retardation
probability of malformation decreases with progression of pregnancy
how does parvovirus affect pregnancy
- maternal slapped cheek appearance
- suppresses foetal erythropoiesusm causing anaemia
- thrombocytopenia
- foetal death may also occur
- may cause hydrops from cardiac failure due to anaemia
investigation and management of parvovirus infection in pregnancy
- anaemia detectable on ultrasound as increased blood flow velocity in MCA
- IgM testing will confirm diagnosis
- where hydrops is detected it’s treated with in utero transfusion
- spontaneous resolution of anaemia and hydrops will occur in about 50%
effect of hepatitis B on foetus
management as well
- vertical transmission occurs at delivery
- 90% of infected neonates become chronic carriers compared with just 10% of infected adults
- maternal sceening is routine in the UK
- neonatal immunisation reduces risk of infection in >90% and is given to all positive women
what is the worldwide incidence of hepatitis C
3%
what percentage of people infected with Hep C get chronic infection
80%
how does HIV affect pregnancy?
pregnancy does not hasten progression to AIDS
pre-eclampsia is more common in HIV affected individuals
neonatal effects of HIV
- increased risk of stillbirth
- increased risk of pre-eclampsia
- growth restriction
- prematurity
- vertical transmission
how common is vertical transmission of HIV
with no preventave measures it’s 15%
vertical transmission is most common with low CD4 count and high viral load i.e. very early and very late disease
management of HIV in pregnancy
- maternal HAART
- neonatal HAART 6/52
- elective C-section
- avoidance of breast feeding
what is the increase in cardiac output during normal pregnancy
40%
what is the blood volume increase in normal pregnancy
40%
what is the change in vascular resistance during normal pregnancy
50% reduced vascular resistance
murmers in pregnancy
increased blood flow causes an ejection systolic murmur in 90% of pregnant women
what is the leading cause of maternal death in the UK
cardiac disease
what are the principles of management of cardiac disease in pregnancy
warfarin and ACE inhibitors are contraindicated
existing thromboprophylaxis should be continued usually with aspirin and LMWH
Regular checks for anaemia
what is the dose of aspirin for pre-eclampsia prophylaxis
75mg OD
what is antiphospholipid syndrome
- this is when lupus anti-coagulant and/or anticardiolipin antibodies occur in association with adverse pregnancy complications or thrombotic events
- placental thrombosis causes
- IUGR
- Recurrent miscarriage
- early pre-eclampsia
- placental thrombosis causes
management of antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy
the antibodies are found in many pregnant women but treatment should be reserved for those with the syndrome
treatment is aspirin and LMWH
How much is the incidence of VTE increased in pregnancy
6x
symptoms of PE
chest pain
dyspnoea
tachycardia
raised JVP
raised respiritory rate
what is the diagnosis of PE in pregnancy
- as for a non-pregnant woman it is
- CTPA
- chest x ray
- ABG
management of VTE in pregnancy
- weight based dose of LMWH
- NO WARFARIN
- both lmwh and warfarin are safe for breastfeeding women
maternal risks associated with obesity in pregnancy (8 things)
- VTE
- pre-eclampsia
- diabetes
- C section
- wound infection
- surgical difficulty
- PPH
- maternal death
foetal risks associated with obesity of mother
congenital abnormalities such as NTDs
diabetes
pre-eclampsia
managment of obesity in pregnancy
pre-conceptual weight advice
weightloss during pregnancy is not advised
folic acid and vitamin D supplementation
epilepsy treatment in pregnancy
- treatment should be continued as epilepsy is a significant cause of maternal death but there is a risk of congenital abnormalities
- generally neural tube defects
- risks are dose and drug dependent
- newborns have 3% risk of epilepsy
- carbamazepine and lamotrigine are the safest drugs
- supplementation with folic acid
hyperthyroidism in pregnancy
- anti-thyroid antibodies cross the placenta and this can cause neonatal thyrotoxicosis and goitry
- carbimaxole is substituted for propylthiouracil
- the lowest possible dose is used and thyroid function is tested monthly
how common is postpartum thyroiditis
5-10% of women
it is permanent in 20% of these
what is postpartum thyroiditis
it is a usually transient subclinical hyperthyroidism about 3 months postpartum this is usually followed by about 4 months of hypothyroidism
what is the clinical picture of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
otherwise unexplained pruritis
abnormal LFTs
what is the cause of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
abnormal sensitivity to cholestatic effects of oestrogens
how common is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
0.7% of women in the west
what are the risks of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
- increased risk of
- sudden stillbirth (1% risk)
- meconium passage
- postpartum haemorrhage
management of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
- ursodeoxycholic acid relieces itching and reduces obstetric risks
- vit K from 36 weeks
- induction by 38 weeks if bile levels high
common and rare causes of antepartum haemorrhage
- common
- undetermined origin
- placenta praevia
- plcental abruption
- rarer
- uterine rupture
- vasa praevia
risk factors for placenta praevia
- multiple pregnancy
- previous C section - implants in scar
- more common with increasing age
*
management of placenta praevia
- C section by 39 weeks unless it is very marginal
- haemorrhage common as lower segment of uterus does not contract well
how common is placental abruption
1% of pregnancies
what is the clinical picture of placental abruption
- may be small amount of bleeding - dark in colour
- pain
- may be shocked
- severe tenderness of uterus and may be contracting
- uterus may be hard and woody
- US may be normal
- foetal distress and death may follow
- there may be tachycardia which could suggest profound blood loss
risk factors for placental abruption
management of placental abruption
- if less than 37 weeks and there’s foetal distress
- C-section
- If less than 37 weeks and there’s not foetal distress
- conservative management
- If more than 37 weeks
- induction by amniotomy
investigations for antepartum haemorrhage (5 things)
- CTG
- FBC
- Clotting
- Group and save
- USS
management of antepartum haemorrhage
- admit
- fluid resus
- steroids if <34 weeks
- Anti-D (if Rh-ve)
- C-section if <37 weeks and foetal distress
- induction by amniotomy if >37 weeks
- conservative management if <37 weeks and no foetal distress
tell me about ruptured vasa praevia
brisk, painless bleeding at ROM
1/5000 pregnancies
Massive foetal bleeding follows
C-section often not quick enough to save foetus
risk factors for ruptured uterus and see what happens
- sudden stop in contractions and foetal distress
- it’s very rare
- risk factors
- uterine scars or congenitally abnormal uterus
what is the inheritance pattern of sickle cell
autosomal recessive
maternal complications of sickle cell
acute painful crises
pre-eclampsia
thrombosis
foetal complications of sickle cell
miscarriage
IUGR
preterm labour
management of sickle cell in pregnancy
hydroxycarbamide is teratogenic and stopped
penicillin is continued
high dose folic acid is given
aspirin and LMWH are often indicated
what is the definition of FGM
partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons
what are the names (just the names) of the 4 classifications of FGM
- Type 1: clitoridectomy
- Type 2: excision
- Type 3: infibulation
- Type 4: other
what is type 1 FGM
- clitoridectomy – partial or total removal of the clitoris
what is type 2 FGM
- excision – partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora +/- the labia majora
what is type 3 FGM
- infibulation – narrowing of the vaginal opening by cutting and repositioning the labia, with or without removal of the clitoris
how common is shoulder dystocia
1/200 pregnancies
risk factors for shoulder dystocia
large baby
previous shoulder dystocia
obesity
will excessive traction work in shoulder dystocia and why
no
obstruction is at the pelvic inlet
excessive traction will cause erb’s palsy
what is erb’s palsy
palsy caused by excessive traction
“waiter’s tip”
this is permanent in 10%
steps for shoudler dystocia
- mcroberts manouvre and suprapubic pressure
- episiotomy to allow hand to enter vagina
- wood’s screw manouvre
- posterior arm is grasped, flexed at the elbow and brought down, narrowing the obstructed diameter by the width of the arm
- as last resort pysmphysiotomy - but by this time foetal damage is usually irreversible
untreated, what will happen to a cord prolapse
cord becomes compressed and/or will go into spasm and the baby will rapidly become hypoxic
how common is cord prolapse
1/500 pregnancies
more than half happen at artificial amniotomy
what are the risk factors for cord prolapse?
management of cord prolapse
- presenting part pushed back in to stop compression
- tocolytics given e.g. terbutaline
- patient goes on all fours while preparation for C section is made
what is an amniotic fluid embolism
this is when the liquor enters maternal circulation
this causes anaphylaxis
there is sudden dyspnoea, hypotension and hypoxia
seizures cardiac arrest
DIC
very rare
what is the neonatal mortality in uterine rupture
10%
how common is uterine rupture
1/1500
what is the definition of primary amenorrhoea
no menarche by 16
what is delayed puberty
this is when there is no secondary sex characteristics in a girl by the age of 14
if there are secondary sex characteristics but no menstruation then what is the likely problem
outflow problem
what is secondary amenorrhoea
this is where previously normal menstruation ceases for 3 months or more
what is oligomenorrhoea
this is where menstruation occurs every 35 days to 6 months
physiological amenorrhoea examples
pregnancy, after the menopause and during lactation
locations of pathology in amenorrhoea
- hypothalamus
- pituitary
- thyroid
- ovary
- uterus
- outflow tract
two drugs that can cause amenorrhoea
progestogens and antipsychotics
what are the three most common causes of secondary amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea
premature menopause
PCOS
hyperprolactinaemia
what can cause hypothalamic hypogonadism
- psychological stresses
- anorexia/low weight
- excessive exercise
- tumours are a rare cause
what are the GnRH, FSH, LH and oestradiol levels in hypothalamic hypogonadism
GnRH levels are reduced
therefore LH, FSH and oestradiol levels are reduced
what is the aetiology of pituitary amenorrhoea
hyperprolactinaemia
this is usually due to pituitary hyperplasia or benign adenomas
most common congenital cause of ovarian cause of amenorrhoea
turners
what is turners
one X chromosome is absent
45XO is the karyotype
short stature
poorly formed secondary sexual characteristics
normal intelligence
what are the acquired causes of ovarian amenorrhoea
PCOS
premature menopause
rare virilising tumours of the ovary
how common is premature menopause
1/100
name some outflow tract problems of amenorrhoea and how they might present
when is a couple subfertile
when they have not conceived after a year of regular unprotected menopause
what is primary infertility
the female has never conceived before
what is secondary infertility
the female has previously conceived
what are the conditions for pregnancy
and how often does subfertility lie in each of these categories being faulty
- an egg must be released (30% cases are anovulation)
- adequate sperm must be released (male factor is 25%)
- sperm must reach the egg (tubal problems are 25%)
- but this also includes coital problems and cervical
- fertilized egg must implant (this is unknown but could account for the 30% of subfertility cases that are unknown)
investigating ovulation as a cause of subfertility
if ovulation has happened they should have elevated serum progesterone 7 dayse before the first day of menstruation
AKA day 21 progesterone
what is PCO
- PCO describes a TVU appearance of 12 or more small (2-8mm) follicles in an enlarged ovary
- this is found in abotu 20% of all women - the majority of whom are regular and fertile
what proportion of anovulatory subfertility is caused by PCO
80%
what percentage of all women are affected by PCOS
5%
what is the diagnostic criteria for PCOS
hirsuitism (clinical or biochemical)
PCO on US
irregular periods >5 weeks apart
what investigations would you use to exclude other causes for the symptoms of PCOS
- FSH
- raised in premature menopause
- low in hypothalamic hypogonadism
- normal in PCOS
- AMH
- high in PCOS
- low in premature menopause
- Prolactin
- to exclude prolactinoma
- TSH
- to exclude thyroid pathology
complications of PCOS
- 50% of women with PCOS develop T2DM later in life]
- 30% develop gestational diabetes
- endometrial cancer is more common
- no increased mortality
management of PCOS if fertility is not required
- weight normalisation - improves symptoms and helps with insulin regulation
- OCP regulates menstruation and treats hirsuitism
management of PCOS for fertility
- clomifene if BMI >30
- metformin if BMI <30
- second line is them both combined
- gonadotrophins can also be used
how does clomifene work
blocks oestrogen receptors on the hypothalamus and pituitary
hypothalamus and pituitary think there’s low oestrogen
pituitary releases FSH and LH
it is taken between day 2-6 of cycle
side effects of artificial ovulation induction
- multiple pregnancy is more common with every treatment except for metformin
- ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- gonadotrophin therapy overstimulates the follicles which become very large and painful
what is prolactinoma and what is the investigation and how do you treat it
- excess prolactin secretion
- reduces GnRH release
- usually caused by benign tumours of hyperplasia
- associated with PCOS
- patient may have headaches +/- bitemporal hemianopia
- CT is indicated
- treatment is with dopamine agonist called bromocriptine
what is azoospermia
no sperm present
what is oligospermia
<15million sperm /ml
what is severe oligospermia
<5million sperm /ml
what is asthenospermia
poor sperm mobility
what are the common causes of abnormal semen analysis
smoking
alcohol
drugs
inadequate local cooling (truck drivers)
genetic factors
anti-sperm antibodies
what are the causes of disorders of fertilisation
- it’s almost always tubal
- infection is the main cause (PID due to chlamydia or gonorrhoea)
- this causes adhesions
- infection is the main cause (PID due to chlamydia or gonorrhoea)
- can also be
- endometriosis
- previous surgery/sterilisation
- sexual problems
diagnosis of tubal problems
management of ectopic pregnancy
- 3 approaches
- expectant
- monitor for 48hrs
- medical
- methotrexate
- surgical
- salpingectomy or salpingotomy
- expectant
when would you manage an ectopic expectantly
<30mm
unruptured
asymptomatic
no-foetal heartbeat