Obstetric Anesthesia III Flashcards
What can obstetric complications affect during pregnancy?
- The mother’s health.
- The fetus’s health.
- Both mother and fetus.
Can healthy women experience complications during pregnancy?
Yes, even women who were healthy before pregnancy can experience complications.
How can early and regular prenatal care impact the risk of obstetric complications?
- Decreases risk of complications.
- Allows to diagnose, treat, or manage conditions before they become serious.
What is the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in vaginal deliveries?
- Approximately 4% of parturients.
- Incidence is increasing.
How can the development of serious PPH be prevented?
PPH= Post-partum Hemorrhage
Aggressive recognition and treatment.
What is the defined blood loss for postpartum hemorrhage in vaginal and cesarean deliveries?
- Greater than 500 mL for vaginal delivery.
- Greater than 1000 mL for cesarean delivery.
What are the common causes of postpartum hemorrhage?
- Uterine atony (70%–80% of PPH cases).
- Placental retention.
- Abnormalities of the uterus.
- Cervix or vaginal wall lacerations.
- Uterine inversion.
- Coagulation abnormalities.
What factors are associated with uterine atony?
- Multiparity.
- Prolonged infusions of oxytocin before delivery.
- Polyhydramnios.
- Multiple gestations.
Polyhydramnios: Is the buildup of increased amniotic fluid
The image below identifies a normal postpartum uterus and a Uterine atony postpartum. Identify them.
Postpartum Bleeding Algorithm
What are the initial uterotonic agents used to prevent and treat PPH?
- Oxytocin.
- Followed by methylergonovine, prostaglandins, and misoprostol if oxytocin is ineffective.
What is used when oxytocin does not adequately stimulate uterine contraction?
An ergot alkaloid, Methergine.
What is the dosage and frequency of Methergine in stimulating uterine contractions?
- IM dose of 0.2 mg.
- It can be administered every 2 to 4 hours.
When is Methergine contraindicated?
- In cases of hypertension, preeclampsia, and cardiovascular disease.
- Hypersensitivity to ergot alkaloids.
What is the next step if uterine massage and uterotonic agents are ineffective in treating PPH?
- Use of an intrauterine balloon to tamponade the bleeding.
- Follow hemorrhage protocols at your institution.
What is the next step after using oxytocin and ergot alkaloids for PPH?
- Administration of prostaglandin F2 (Carboprost or Hemabate 250 mcg) IM or directly into the uterine muscle.
Side effects of prostaglandins:
- Nausea
- Bronchospasm
- Increased pulmonary vascular resistance.
- Contraindicated in asthmatics due to bronchospasm risk.
Misoprostol dose for continuing Uterine Atony:
- 600 to 1000 mcg rectally, vaginally, or orally as a one-time dose.
- Adverse reaction: Transient hyperthermic response.
What is the role of antifibrinolytic agents like TXA in PPH?
- Strengthen fibrin clots by inhibiting enzymatic fibrinolysis.
- Show promise when used with uterotonic agents.
Where is oxytocin synthesized and stored?
- Synthesized in the paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus.
- Stored in and released from the posterior pituitary gland.
What stimulates the release of endogenous oxytocin?
Stimulation of the cervix, vagina, and breasts.
What is the synthetic equivalent of oxytocin and its indications?
- Synthetic equivalent: Pitocin.
- Indications: Induction/augmentation of labor, stimulating uterine contraction, combating uterine hypotonia and hemorrhage.
When is oxytocin administered during a cesarean section (C/S)?
After the delivery of the placenta.
What are the side effects of oxytocin?
- Water retention.
- Hyponatremia.
- Hypotension.
- Reflex tachycardia.
- Coronary vasoconstriction.