Obstetric Conditions Flashcards
Define an obstetric complication
A health problem related to pregnancy which may be affecting the mother, baby or both.
What is the threshold for haemoglobin in anaemia during pregnancy?
During 1/3 and 2/3 it is 110g/dL
During 3/3 it is 105g/dL
Outline how anaemia may occur in pregnancy.
Adult haemoglobin synthesised slower compared to foetal haemoglobin thus physiological anaemia occurs
State the common presentation of anaemia in pregnancy
- Tired
- Palpitations
- SOB
- Dizziness
- Myalgia
- Tachypnoea
- Tachycardia
- Pallor
- Peripheral Oedema
How may you investigate someone with suspected anaemia?
- FBC
- Ferritin
- Folic Acid (B9)
- Hydroxocobalamin (B12)
How do you treat someone with anaemia in pregnancy
- Iron (PO/IM)
- B12 (IM)
- B9 (PO)
How much folic acid should someone be taking during the first trimester?
400mcg
If a previous pregnancy has resulted in a neural tube defect, what dose should this woman take during her current pregnancy?
5mg
What is a UTI?
Non-specific, umbrella term for infection occurring anywhere in urinary tract, from urethra to bladder to the ureters to the kidneys. Bacterial stasis + ascending infection due to urinary stasis, compromised ureteric valves + vesicoureteric reflux
Outline the pathogenesis of a UTI in pregnancy.
- Bladder volume increases + detrusor tone decreases
* Progestogenic relaxation of ureteric smooth muscle + pressure from uterus -> ureteric dilatation (90%)
Which pathogen is the usual cause of UTIs.
E.coli
Outline the symptoms and signs which a UTI may present with.
- Dysuria
- Frequency
- Urgency
- Suprapubic pain
- Haematuria
• NONE
How would you investigate a pregnant woman with urinary symptoms?
- MSU Culture + Sensitivity
* Urinalysis
How do you treat a UTI in pregnancy?
• Supportive: fluids + paracetamol
+
• ABX: Nitrofurantoin
When should you avoid giving nitrofurantoin in pregnancy to treat a UTI?
At term, may cause neonatal haemolysis
What is acute cystitis?
infection of urinary bladder
Which organisms are a common cause of acute cystitis?
- E. coli
- S. saprophyticus
- K. pneumoniae
- P. mirabilis
State the presentation of acute cystitis.
Symptoms:
• Dysuria
• Urgency
• Frequency
Signs:
• Flank/Abdominal/Suprapubic Pain
• Fever
What is the treatment for acute cystitis?
• Supportive: fluids + paracetamol
+
• ABX: Nitrofurantoin
-> May cause neonatal haemolysis if pregnancy at term
2nd line ABX: Amoxicillin
What is pyelonephritis?
Severe infectious inflammatory disease of kidney parenchyma, calices and pelvis which can be acute, recurrent or chronic
Outline the presentation of a patient with pyelonephritis.
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnoea
- Pyrexia
- Loin pain
- Urinary symptoms: frequency, urgency, dysuria
Which investigations may you wish to run in a patient with suspected pyelonephritis?
- MSU – culture + sensitivity
- FBC
- RFT
- CRP
• USS of renal tract
How do you manage a patient with Pyelonephritis who is pregnant?
• ABX: Cephalexin
Septic
• ABX: Metronidazole + Cephalexin
Describe hyperemesis gravidarum.
= Most severe form of NVP (morning sickness), NV in morning hours, beginning in 4th-7th week following last menstrual period; 1st 1/3 and resolves by 2/3 usually. Severe NVP entails persistent vomiting, volume depletion, ketosis, electrolyte disturbances and weight loss.
When does hyperemesis gravidarum typically present?
1/3
State 3 RFs for hyperemesis gravidarum
- FHx HG
- PMHx HG
- Multiple gestation
- Increased placental mass
- Motion sickness
- Molar pregnancies
- Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD = abnormal cells or tumours in the womb from cells which develop into placenta)
What is a postulated cause of hyperemesis gravidarum?
• Rapidly rising HCG (placental)
What is the presentation of hypermesis gravidarum?
Symptoms:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
Signs: • Dizziness • Tachycardia • Hypotension • Dry mucous membranes • Ketotic breath
What investigations would you wish to conduct in a patient presenting with Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
- FBC (normal)
- Metabolic panel: variable, hyponatremia and hypochloraemia
- Urea + Creatinine: variable, elevated in HG
- Urine or Serum Ketones: positive
- Foetal Ultrasound with Nuchal Translucency: variable, may show multiple gestation; GTD; hydrops fetalis; increased nuchal translucency
- Serum analytes: variable, abnormally high or low hCG and PAPP-A
How would you treat a patient with hyperemesis gravidarum?
• IV Fluids (IV Ringer’s lactate), replacement fluid for deficit, ongoing losses and daily fluid maintenance
+
• Anti-emetic (metoclopramide/chlorpromazine (FGA) /prochlorperazine (FGA) /Promethazine (TCA))
+
• PPI (Omeprazole)
What is implantation bleeding?
Light spotting/bleeding at day 10-14 due to fertilised egg attaching to lining of uterus
State 3 causes for early bleeding and 3 for late bleeding in pregnancy.
Bleeding in Pregnancy: Early vs Late • Implantation bleeding • Ectopic pregnancy • Molar pregnancy • Chorionic Haematoma • Miscarriage • Cervical causes – ectropian/polyp/cancer
- Placental abruption
- Placenta praevia
- Vasa praevia
- Uterine rupture
- Post-partum haemorrhage
Describe a miscarriage
involuntary, spontaneous loss of pregnancy prior to 24 weeks associated with unprovoked vaginal bleeding +/- suprapubic pain
What type of miscarriage is this, ‘miscarriage symptoms but pregnancy in situ and os closed’?
Threatened
What type of miscarriage is this, ‘pregnancy in situ with no heart beat’?
Early foetal demise
What type of miscarriage is this, ‘pregnancy still in situ however os is open and PoC can be sighted’?
Inevitable
What type of miscarriage is this, ‘products of conception passed (PoC) + Os is closed’?
Complete
What type of miscarriage is this, ‘cant identify products of conception (PoC)’?
Incomplete
What type of miscarriage is this, ‘3≤ consecutive miscarriages’?
Recurrent
State 3 RFs for a miscarriage.
- Older age
- Embryological abnormalities e.g. chromosomal causes.
- Immunological causes such as antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Infections- rubella, CMV, toxoplasmosis, listeria.
- Severe emotional upset
- Iatrogenic post chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
- Associated with smoking, alcohol, cocaine
Outline the postulated pathophysiology of a miscarriage.
• Bleeding from placental bed (chorion) causes hypoxia and placental dysfunction leading to embryonic demise.
How may a miscarriage present?
- Bleeding/ Recent post-coital bleed: may pass products
- Suprapubic pain
- Cramping
- LBP
• Positive pregnancy test
Which investigations may you wish to conduct in a patient you suspect with a miscarriage?
- TVUS: consider miscarriage when gestational sac > 25 mm diameter with no visible yolk sac/foetal pole OR embryo measures 7mm or more with no obvious heart activity
- Serum ß-hCG: Falling titres (< 50% in 24 hours) suggest failing pregnancy
- Rhesus Blood Group: Identify Rh-negative blood group in mother
How do you manage a patient who has recently had a miscarriage?
• Supportive: Emotional support/ Haemodynamic stability/ USS/ Histology/ ßhCG/ Anti-D (for future pregnancies)
+
Medical
• Mifepristone (antiprogestogenic steroid, sensitising myometrium to PG-induced contractions)
+
• Misoprostol (Synthetic PGE1 loosening foetal tissue + uterine contractions + cervical dilatation)
Surgical evacuation
• Suction aspiration (vacuum removes uterine contents through cervix)
OR
• Dilation and Curettage (D+C) (physical dilatation of cervix and curette removing uterine tissue)
How does mifepristone work?
antiprogestogenic steroid, sensitising myometrium to PG-induced contractions)
How does misoprostrol work?
Synthetic PGE1 loosening foetal tissue + uterine contractions + cervical dilatation
How may you reduce the risk of miscarriages?
- Smoking cessation
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid drugs
- Treat/control chronic morbidities (DM, HTN, SLE etc..)
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
Implantation of fertilised ovum (blastocyst) outside uterine endometrial cavity, most commonly fallopian tube, which may lead to maternal death if undiagnosed due to rupture and intraperitoneal haemorrhage.
What is the commonest site of implantation in an ectopic pregnancy?
Fallopian tube
What are the types of ectopic pregnancy?
Tubal Ovarian Cervical Interstitial (peritoneum) Abdominal (liver etc) Hysterotomy scar pregnancy (previous surgical incision site)
State 3 RFs for an ectopic pregnancy.
- Smoking
- PMHx Ectopic
- IUD use (if pregnancy occurs with IUD in situ; lowers absolute risk of ectopic cf non-contraceptive-using population)
- PMHx genital infections
- Chronic salpingitis
- Salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN)
- Multiple sexual partners
How may an ectopic pregnancy present?
Symptoms:
• Dizziness
• Abdominal pain: unilateral/localised
• Shoulder tip pain (extreme cases due to diaphragmatic irritation)
• Amenorrhea (4-8 weeks prior to presentation)
• Vaginal bleeding/brown watery discharge
• Dysuria (painful wee)/Dyschezia (painful poo)
Signs:
• Abdominal tenderness: voluntary guarding
Involuntary guarding; rebound; acute abdomen findings ≈ rupture signs
• Adnexal tenderness/mass
• Blood in vaginal vault
• Pallor
• Haemodynamic instability
Which investigations may you wish to conduct in a patient presenting with suspected ectopic pregnancy?
- Urine/Serum pregnancy test: Positive
- TVUS: No IU pregnancy detected/ectopic pregnancy visualised (doughnut sign = heterogenous adnexal mass separate from two ovaries)
How would you manage an ectopic pregnancy?
• Medical management: Methotrexate (if stable, low ßhCG levels and ectopic small and unruptured)
OR
• Surgical: laparoscopic salpingectomy
What is a chorionic haematoma?
A pooling of blood between the embryo and the endometrium.
How may a chorionic haematoma present?
- Bleeding
- Cramping
- Threatened Miscarriage
- Symptoms follow severity, more blood= worse symptoms
How do you treat a chorionic haematoma?
• Supportive: Reassurance; Surveillance
What is an antepartum haemorrhage?
Umbrella term for bleeding from genital tract after 22nd week of pregnancy
State the common causes for an antepartum haemorrhage.
- Placental abruption
- Placenta praevia
- Cervicitis
- Trauma
- Vulvo-vaginal varicosities
- Genital tumours
- Infection
What is placenta praevia?
Placenta overlying cervical os which may be complete (grade 4), partial (grade 3), marginal (grade 2) or low-lying (grade 1).
State 5 RFs for placenta praevia.
- Scarred uterus/ Previous C-section
- Advanced maternal age
- Smoking
- PMHx multiple pregnancies
- Miscarriages
- Prior PP
- Infertility treatment
- Illicit drug use
How does placenta praevia present?
- Painless vaginal bleeding: severity in bleeding
* No pain
What investigations should you do in a suspected placenta praevia?
- FBC: Hb decreases <100g/dL
- ßhCG
- UUS + Doppler analysis: Position of placenta identified
How do you manage a patient with placenta praevia with bleeding currently and a grade 4 PP.
• Resuscitation and stabilisation: Antifibrinolytic, monitor foetal heart, IV fluids
-> Not stabilised, emergency caesarean section
+/- Anti-D Ig: 300mcg IM
• Urgent USS
How do you manage a patient with placenta praevia with no bleeding and a grade 3 PP.
• Supportive: Monitoring and pelvic rest \+ Corticosteroids (< 34 weeks) ± Anti-D immunoglobulin
How do you manage a patient with low-lying placenta praevia (grade 1) at term?
• Await spontaneous labour OR • C-Section ± Anti-D Ig
What is a placental abruption?
Premature separation of placenta from uterine wall occurring before delivery of foetus which can be revealed (blood escapes through vagina) or concealed (bleeding occurs behind placenta without PV bleeding) and can be partial (part of placenta) or total (entire placenta)
What are the two categories of placental abruption?
Partial (part of placenta)
Total (entire placenta)
State 5 RFs for placental abruption.
- HTN
- Pre-eclampsia
- Smoking
- Cocaine use
- Trauma
- Chorioamnionitis
- Uterine malformations
- Placental abruption
- Oligohydramnios
How may placental abruption present?
- Vaginal bleeding*
- Abdominal pain: occurs in 2/3
- Uterine contractions
- Uterine tenderness
What investigations do you wish to conduct in a patient you suspect has a placental abruption?
- Foetal monitoring – Cardiotocography (CTG), abnormalities in tracing e.g. late decelerations, loss of variability, variable decelerations, sinusoidal foetal heart tracing, foetal bradycardia (< 110bpm)
- Hb and Hct: Normal or low
- Kleihauer-Betke Test: Positive or Negative
- USS: Retroplacental haematoma (hyperechoic, isoechoic, hypoechoic), pre-placental haematoma (jiggling appearance with shimmering effect of chorionic plate with foetal movement); increased placental thickness and echogenicity
How does a Kliehaeur-Betke test work? What is its purpose?
Estimation of foetal cells in maternal circulation thus useful in foetal maternal haemorrhage
How do you manage a patient with a placental abruption in a foetus which is 32 weeks old?
Stabilise patient: keep Hb > 100g/dL, urine output > 30mL/hour, reduce bleeding, Anti-D Ig
Consider if < 34 weeks Corticosteroid \+ Tocolytic \+ Consider delivery by 37-38 weeks
OR
• Urgent CSD \+ Blood coagulation products \+ Post-placental delivery utero-tonic agent: Oxytocin (10IU IM) OR misoprostrol (800-100 mcg PV)
How do you manage a patient with a placental abruption in a foetus which is 36 weeks old?
• Conservative management: foetal heart rate monitoring, sonograms, biophysical profile; Keep Hb above 100g/dL, urine output ≥ 30mL/hour, reduce bleeding (anti-fibrinolytics given early prior to 3 hours), FFP if signs of DIC (replace clotting factors)
+
• Vaginal delivery
+
Oxytocin induction (0.5-1mU/minute then 1-2mU/minute increment PRN every 15-60 minutes; maximum 10mU/minute)
+
Blood coagulation products
+
Post-placental delivery utero-tonic agent: Oxytocin (10IU IM) OR misoprostrol (800-100 mcg PV)
+
Post-delivery haemostatic interventions: Surgical ligation (1st) OR Embolisation (2nd) OR Hysterectomy (3rd)
What is placenta accreta?
Condition whereby the chorionic villi attach to the myometrium.
If the placenta invades the myometrium, what is this called?
Placenta increta
If the placenta invades the the uterus, what is this called?
Placenta percreta
How do you manage a patient with placenta accreta?
- Prophylactic insertion of internal iliac balloon
- Caesarean hysterectomy
- Blood loss >3L expected
- Conservative management + methotrexate
What is a uterine rupture?
A full thickness opening of the uterus (including serosa. If serosa is intact termed dehiscence).
What are the risk factors for a uterine rupture?
- Previous C section/uterine surgery (myomectomy)
- Multiparity
- Use of prostaglandins/syntocin increase risk
- Obstructed labour
What is the presentation of a uterine rupture?
- Severe abdominal pain- even with epidural may be sore
- Shoulder tip pain- due to diaphragmatic irritation
- Maternal collapse
Signs of uterine rupture: • Intrapartum loss of contractions • Acute abdomen • Peritonism • Fetal distress/IUD
How do you manage a patient with a uterine rupture?
- Urgent resus- major haemorrhage protocol, IV fluids, transfuse etc
- Anti-D if rhesus negative.
What is a vasa praevia?
Unprotected fetal vessels transverse the membranes below the presenting part over the internal os. Will rupture during labour or at amniotomy. Causes include ectropion, polyp, carcinoma.
State 3 RFs for vasa praevia.
- Placental anomalies e.g. bilobed
- Low lying placenta
- Multiple pregnancy
- IVF
How do you diagnose a vasa praevia?
made at US- transabdominal and transvaginal.
How do you manage a patient with vasa praevia?
- Antenatal diagnosis
- Steroids from 32 weeks
- Deliver by elective C section at 32-34 weeks.
- If antepartum haemorrhage emergency C section
What is obstetric cholestasis?
Intrahepatic cholestasis or pregnancy (ICP) is a condition caused by bile flow stasis resulting in deposition in the skin and placenta causing a pruritic condition as the result of hormonal, genetic and environmental factors.
How may obstetric cholestasis present?
- Pruritus (sparing the face)
- Excoriation without rash
- Mild jaundice
How may you investigate a potential obstetric cholestasis?
- LFTs: elevation of transaminases up to 300u/L
- Coagulation profile: PT prolonged if vitamin K depleted
- Bile acids: elevated > 11micromol/L
- Fasting serum cholesterol: Elevated
- Hepatitis C virology: Positive in hepatitis C infection
How do you manage a patient with symptomatic mild obstetric cholestasis?
• Conservative: Foetal surveillance/ fluids/Antihistamines (diphenhydramine)
+
• Colestyramine (4-16g/day PO in 2-4 doses) + Vitamin K (phytomenadione 10mg PO/IM single dose)
± (adjunct)
• Ursodeoxycholic acid (competes with cytotoxic bile acids and improves pruritus and liver function)
±
• Corticosteroids: IM betamethasone (12mg IM every 24 hours for 2 doses = accelerate foetal lung maturity and improve neonatal outcomes)
± ≥ 37 weeks
• Surgery: Caesarean section
What are the potential complications of obstetric cholestasis?
- Meconium passage
- Small risk of stillbirth
- Premature birth (iatrogenic)
What is abnormal labour?
Umbrella term for a labour which may be premature, late, painful, fail to progress, involve foetal distress or require intervention.
Outline the stages of labour.
Normal Labour: Stage 1: Latent (irregular uterine contractions, cervical effacement) -> Stage 1: Active (regular uterine contractions, regular contractions, 1-2cm per hour until 10cm dilation; full cervical effacement) -> Stage 2: full dilation = 2 hours (nulliparous), 1 hour (multiparous) ± 1 if anaesthetic -> Expulsion of placenta and membranes = 10 minutes.
How is foetal progression described?
described in terms of abdominal 5ths. How much of the babies head is above the pubic symphysis. 5/5 is the head is completely mobile above.
What is the term used for amniotic fluid released?
Liqour
When may the membranes rupture?
Can rupture at any point- could be preterm, prelabour, in the 1st stage, 2nd stage or could be born in caul.
State 3 signs that the placenta has been expelled.
- Uterus contracts, hardens and rises
- Umbilical cord lengthens permanently
- Gush of blood (variable amount)
How much blood is usually lost in labour?
500mL
How much EBL is considered abnormal?
≥ 500mL
What is considered a significant EBL in labour?
≥ 1500mL
Outline the physiological way by which the uterus achieves haemostasis.
Clotting pathways
Tonic contraction of uterine muscle with lattice arrangement of muscle fibres to strangulate leaky vessels
What is the puerperium?
A period of recovery and repair of tissues to a non-pregnant state in 6 weeks. Patients will suffer from lochia, which is vaginal discharge containing blood, mucus and endometrial castings. Can be characterised as rubra (fresh red), serosa (brownish red, watery) or alba (yellow). This lasts for 10-14 days following birth.
Give the three characterisations of iochia?
Rubra
Serosa
Alba
Describe uterine involution.
the uterus essentially gets smaller. It reduces its weight from 1000gms to 50-100gms. Fundal height is within pelvis within 2 weeks. The endometrium regenerates within a week. The cervix, vagina and perineum regress but never return to pre-pregnancy state. Physiological diuresis occurs 2-3 days postnatally.
Describe lactation.
Initiated by placental expulsion, due to a decrease in oestrogen and progesterone. Prolactin is maintained. Colostrum (first milk) is rich in immunoglobulins.
Outline how long the second stage of pregnancy usually takes?
Primiparous - 2 hour (3 if anaesthesia)
Multiparous - 1 hour (2 if anaesthesia)
What is the aetiology of failure to progress?
- Power- inadequate contraction
- Passages- short stature, trauma, pelvic shape
- Passenger- big baby, malposition
What is the definition of failure to progress?
In the first stage of labour:
• Nulliparous women- <2cm dilation in 4 hours
• Parous women - <2cm dilation in 4 hours or failure to progress
Second stage
Primiparous - 2 hour (3 if anaesthesia)
Multiparous - 1 hour (2 if anaesthesia)
How may you assess labour progression?
Partogram
What is foetal distress?
Stress inflicted on the baby
How may you conduct an intra-partum foetal assessment?
• Doppler Auscultation of the fetal heart.
Stage 1- before and after contraction. Every 15 mins
Stage 2- at least every 5 minutes during and after a contraction for at least 1 minute. Check maternal pulse every 15 mins.
• Cardiocotography
• Colour of amniotic fluid
State 5 RFs for foetal hypoxia.
Risk Factors for fetal hypoxia: • Small fetus • Preterm/postdates • Antepartum haemorrhage • Hypertension/pre-eclampsia • Diabetes • Meconium • Epidural analgesia • Premature rupture of membranes >24 hours • Sepsis • Induction/augmentation of labour • Vaginal birth after c section (VBAC)
How do you manage foetal distress?
- Change the maternal position
- Iv fluids
- Stop syntocinon (oxytocin)- contractions may be too long or too strong affecting the fetal heart rate.
- Scalp stimulation
- Consider tocolysis- terbulatine 250 micrograms. These are used to suppress premature labour.
- Maternal assessment
- Fetal blood sampling- looks at the scalp pH.
• Operative delivery
What is the threshold for foetal scalp pH regarding action?
≥ 7.25 = normal
7.25-7.20 = borderline, check in 30 minutes
≤ 7.20 = abnormal thus deliver
Describe pre-term labour.
Preterm birth occurs at 24-37 weeks gestation with 66% preterm labours being iatrogenic and 33% presenting with threatened premature labour (TPTL) progressing to actual labour and delivery.
State 3 RFs for pre-term labour.
- Infection and inflammation
- Cervical trauma
- Short cervical length
- Low maternal weight
- Multiple pregnancies
- Polyhydramnios
- PPROM (spontaneous rupture of membranes before 37 weeks of gestation in absence of regular painful uterine contractions)
- Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia
- IUGR
How may a premature labour present?
- Uterine contractions
- Advanced cervical dilation
• PV Bleed
Which investigations may you wish to conduct in the presence of a pre-term labour.
- CTG
- Tocography: > 1 contraction per 10 minutes
- TVUS of cervix: positive if <2cm
- FBC: Decreased Hb with antenatal haemorrhage and raised WBC
- CRP: Elevated if infection
- Urine dipstick: Positive if infection
- MSU culture + sensitivity: positive growth in presence of infection
- Kleihauer-Betke test: Positive with foetal-maternal haemorrhage
How may you manage a patient with pre-term premature rupture of membranes?
• Maternal evaluation and assessment of foetal viability
+
• ABX: Erythromycin (250mg PO QDS) OR phenoxymethylpenicillin (250mg PO QDS) for 10 days
+
Corticosteroids: Betamethasone sodium phosphate (12g IM every 24 hours for 2 doses)
±
Gestation > 34 weeks or chorioamnionitis
• Consider induced labour
How may you manage a threatened premature labour?
- Maternal evaluation and assessment of foetal viability (continuous CTG + review al data concerning gestational age)
- Tocolytics: terbutaline OR nifedipine
- Steroids (foetal lung maturation)
- Magnesium sulphate (neuro protection)
Why may hypertension occur in pregnancy?
Largest CV Stress occurs in first 12 weeks of pregnancy:
• Blood volume increases
• Plasma volume increases
• Stroke volume increases
• Heart rate increases
• Cardiac output increases
• Peripheral vascular resistance increases
What are the three categories of hypertension in pregnancy?
- Pre-existing hypertension (diagnosed before pregnancy). This is more likely if hypertensive in early pregnancy. Risk of this include IUGR, abruption PET)
- Pregnancy induced (comes on with pregnancy however no pre-eclampsia symptoms). Second half of pregnancy. Resolves within 6 weeks of delivery. No proteinuria or other features of pre-eclampsia. 15% progress to pre-eclampsia.
- Pre-eclampsia- hypertension, proteinuria, oedema.
When does hypertension in pregnancy usually occur?
2nd trimester
Describe pre-eclampsia.
Multisystem disorder of pregnancy which occurs in a triad of new-onset hypertension and proteinuria either before 34 weeks (early pre-eclampsia) or after 34 weeks (late onset pre-eclampsia).
Which form of pre-eclampsia is more severe and why?
Early pre-eclampsia is uncommon. It is associated with extensive villus and vascular lesions of the placenta. Higher risk for both maternal and fetal complications than late pre-eclampsia.
State 5 RFs for pre-eclampsia.
- Primiparity
- PMHx pre-eclampsia/eclampsia
- FMHx pre-eclampsia/eclampsia
- BMI > 30
- Multiple gestation
- Diabetes Mellitus
- HTN
- Kidney disease prior to pregnancy
- SLE
- Antiphospholipid syndrome (autoimmune disorder to phospholipids)
How may pre-eclampsia present?
- Headache
- Visual disturbance
- Epigastric/RUQ pain (if there is liver involvement)
- Nausea/vomiting
- Rapidly progressing oedema
- Hypertension
- Proteinuria
- Oedema
- Abdominal tenderness
- Disorientation
- SGA
- IUD
- Hyper-reflexia/involuntary movements/clonus
Describe the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.
• Cytotrophoblasts fail to infiltrate thus spiral arteries are incorrectly formed leading to abnormal placentation causing a reduction in placental perfusion and resultant placental ischaemia. The placenta releases factors which induces pre-eclampsia (anti-angiogenic state). High resistance, low flow network leads to maternal blood pressure increased to increase perfusion to placenta.
How may you manage pre-eclampsia?
• Supportive: Hospital admission + monitoring: BP monitored QDS with risk-prediction PREP-S useful for decisions about admission and thresholds for intervention; Decide on delivery mode
+
Corticosteroid: Betamethasone (12mg IM ever 24 for 2 doses)
- If severe hypertension (> 160/110mmHg)
±
Labetalol (20mg IV then 40mg if BP still exceeded, then 80mg then hydralazine, then consult specialist)
Describe eclampsia
Eclampsia is the presence of tonic clonic (grand mal) seizures occurring in the presence of hypertension and proteinuria caused by cerebral vasospasm/ischaemia.
How do you manage eclampsia?
Before delivery
• Supportive: Hospital admission + monitoring: BP monitored QDS with risk-prediction PREP-S useful for decisions about admission and thresholds for intervention; Decide on delivery mode
+
Corticosteroid: Betamethasone (12mg IM ever 24 for 2 doses)
- If severe hypertension (> 160/110mmHg)
±
Labetalol (20mg IV then 40mg if BP still exceeded, then 80mg then hydralazine, then consult specialist) - If Seizures
±
Magnesium sulfate
Describe some of the complications pre-eclampsia can result in.
CNS • Eclampsia • Hypertensive encephalopathy • Intracranial haemorrhage • Cerebral oedema • Cortical blindness • Cranial nerve palsy
Renal • Decrease in GFR • Proteinuria • Increase in uric acid • Increase in creatinine, potassium, urea • Oligouria/anuria • Acute renal failure
Liver Disease • Epigastric/RUQ pain • Abnormal liver enzymes • Hepatic capsule rupture • HELLP syndrome- haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets.
Haematological Disease • Decreased plasma volume causes haemoconcentration • Thrombocytopenia • Haemolysis • Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Cardiac/pulmonary disease
• Pulmonary oedema causes ARDS.
• Pulmonary emboli
Placental Disease
• Fetal growth restriction
• Placental abruption
• IUD
Describe gestational diabetes mellitus.
Glucose intolerance resulting in hyperglycaemia which is precipitated in pregnancy.
Outline the pathophysiology of GDM.
• Placenta secretes TNF-a, hCS causing reduced insulin and insulin resistance -> overgrowth of insulin tissues and macrosomia -> foetal metabolic reprogramming results in long-term risk of obesity, IR and diabetes.
What is the presentation of GDM.
- Polyuria
- Polydipsia
- Foetal macrosomia
Which investigations would you conduct in a patient with GDM?
- FPG: > 7mmol/L
- RPG: > 11.1mmol/L
- OGTT: > 8.5mmol/L after 2 hours
When do you conduct a OGTT in a patient who is G3 P2+1 with PMHx of GDM?
1st trimester
What is the target BM for a patient with GDM.
- FPG <5.3mmol/L
- 2-hour Post-prandial: <7.8mmol/L
- HbA1c: 48mmol/L
How do you manage a patient with GDM?
• Supportive: Diet; Weight control; Exercise; BM monitoring; Growth scan
± Uncontrolled or marked initial hyperglycaemia (RPG > 11.1mmol/L)
• Insulin: Insulin NPH + Insulin lispro
Give an example of an intermediate acting insulin and a short-acting insulin.
Insulin: Insulin NPH + Insulin lispro
State 3 potential complications which may arise due to GDM.
- Pre-eclampsia
- Polyhydramnios
- Macrosomia
- Microsomia
- Shoulder dystocia
- Neonatal hypoglycaemia
Describe what SGA means.
An infant with a birthweight that is less than the 10th centile for gestation when corrected for maternal height, weight, fetal sex and birth order.
Describe what IUGR means.
Reduced size of foetus as a result of disease which is classified as symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical meaning the whole body is small, whereas asymmetrical meaning one part of the body is normal and the other is smaller.
Poor growth could be due to maternal cause, fetal causes or placental causes.
State 3 RFs which may cause IUGR.
Maternal factors: • Lifestyle- smoking, alcohol, drugs • Height and weight • Age • Maternal disease e.g. hypertension
Fetal Factors:
• Infection e.g. rubella, CMV, toxoplasma
• Congenital anomalies e.g. absent kidneys
• Chromosomal abnormalities e.g. Downs syndrome
Placental Factors
• Infarcts
• Abruption
• Often secondary to hypertension
How may you clinically diagnose poor growth on history and examination?
- Predisposing factors
- Fundus height less than expected
- Reduced liquor
- Reduced fetal movements- a baby struggling for oxygen will lie still.
What is foetal macrosomia?
Large baby > 4.5kg or > 90th centile compared to gestational age and population based charts
State 2 risks associated with foetal macrosomia.
Risks associated with fetal macrosomia: • Maternal anxiety • Labour dystocia • Shoulder dystocia • Post-partum haemorrhage
How do you manage foetal macrosomia?
- Exclude diabetes
- Reassure
- Delivery methods depend on cases, could vaginal, could c section
What is polyhydramnios?
Excess amniotic fluid with an AFI > 95th percentile
What are the causes of polyhydramnios?
- Maternal diabetes
- Fetal anomaly
- Monochorionic twin pregnancy
- Hydrops fetalis
- Idiopathic
How may a polyhydramnios present?
- Abdominal discomfort
- Prelabour rupture of membranes
- Preterm labour
- Cord prolapse
How do you diagnose polyhydramnios?
• Ultrasound scan will confirm:
Amniotic fluid index (AFI) > 25
Deepest vertical pocket (DVP) >8cm
Fetal survery- lips, stomach
• Serology- to look for toxoplasmosis, CMV, parvovirus
• Antibody screen
• Oral glucose tolerance test- look for diabetes
How do you manage a polyhydramnios?
- Patient education/information on complications
- Serial USS- for growth, LV, presentation
- Induction of labour by 40 weeks
What are the risks of polyhydramnios?
- Cord prolapse
- Preterm labour
- PPH
What are the RF for multiple pregnancies?
- Assisted conception
- Race- African
- FHx
- Increased maternal age
- Increased parity
- Tall women > short women
What does chronicity depend on in monozygotic twins?
When cleavage takes place. 0-3 days after fertilisation is dichorionic diamniotic. Whereas 4-7 days after fertilisation is monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA). If cleavage takes place 8-14 days after fertilisation it will be Monochorionic mono amniotic (MCMA)
What is a MCDA pregnancy?
How is this determined?
1 placenta, 2 amnions
Cleavage taking place 4-7 days
What is a MCMA pregnancy? How is this determined?
1 placenta, 1 amnion
Cleavage taking place 8-14 days
What is a DCDA pregnancy?
How is this determined?
2 placenta, 2 amnions
Cleavage takes place within 0-3 days
Or dizygotic twins
How may multiple pregnancies present?
Exagerrated pregnancy symptoms
high amniotic fluid index
Large for dates uterus
Multiple fetal poles