Obstetrics Flashcards
Which antihypertensive is used in pregnancy? What if the first line is CI?
Labetalol
If BB is contraindicated (e.g. Asthma) -> Nifedipine / Methyldopa
Which anti-epileptics are safe for use in pregnancy?
Lamotrigine
Carbamazepine
Which rheumatoid drugs are safe for use in pregnancy?
Hydroxychloroquine
Sulfasalazine
What are the antenatal combined test results for Down Syndrome? How does this differ for Edwards and Patau’s?
Raised HCG
Low PAPP-A
Thickened nuchal translucency
Edwards and Patau’s = lower PAPP-A
When should fetal movements be felt by?
24 weeks
Which anticoagulants are safe for use in pregnancy?
Low molecular weight heparin
Aspirin (Antiplatelet)
(DOAC + Warfarin = CI)
What is the normal dose and higher dose of folic acid?
Normal dose = 400 micrograms
High dose = 5mg
Who needs the higher dose of folic acid?
MORE
Metabolic disease (diabetes, coeliac)
Obesity
Relative/personal history of neural tube defects
Epilepsy
Also- sickle cell, thalassaemia
When should a woman be induced with intrahepatic cholestasis?
37-38 weeks
When should a woman with gestational diabetes be induced?
37-38 week
How is long-standing hypothyroidism treated in a woman who has become pregnant?
Increase levothyroxine by 25mcg
Are ACEi and ARBs safe in pregnancy?
No
Are calcium channel blockers safe in pregnancy?
Yes
How long does methotrexate need to be stopped prior to trying for a baby?
6 months in both men and women
Which diabetic drugs are safe for use in pregnancy?
Only insulin and Metformin
How does congenital rubella syndrome present?
Congenital sensorineural deafness
Congenital heart disease
Congenital cataracts
Blueberry muffin rash
Congenital hydrocephalus
How do you treat a pregnant woman who has been in contact with chickenpox who has not had chickenpox before?
If less than 20 weeks - give varicella zoster immunoglobulins (up to 10 days post exposure)
If more than 20 weeks - oral Aciclovir within 24 hours, or give VZIG or Aciclovir between day 7 and day 14
How do you treat a pregnant woman who has been diagnosed with chicken pox?
Oral Aciclovir
What can happen if a woman has chickenpox during pregnancy?
Can cause fetal varicella syndrome - skin scarring, eye defects, limb hypoplasia, microcephaly
Which infection during pregnancy can cause hydrops fetalis (severe fetal heart failure)?
Parvovirus B19
What intrapartum prophylaxis is given for Group B strep and which women need it?
IV Benzylpenicillin
- Women who have had GBS in a previous pregnancy
- Women with a previous baby with GBS
- Women with pyrexia in labour
- Women in preterm labour
When do Anti-D injections need to be given?
28 weeks
34 weeks
Birth if baby is confirmed +ve
Any sensitisation events (within 72 hrs)
What are sensitisation events?
Antepartum haemorrhage
Amniocentesis
Abdominal trauma
Ectopic pregnancy
Miscarriage after 12 weeks
Any bleeding after 12 weeks
Any heavy or painful bleeding before 12 weeks
Termination
Any abdominal trauma (even if no apparent bleeding)
How soon after a sensitisation event does Anti-D need to be given?
Within 72 hours
What additional test needs conducting if a sensitisation event occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy?
Kleihauer test
To check if any more anti-D is needed
What is a small for gestational age baby?
Below 10th centile for gestational age
What are causes of a baby being small for gestational age?
Constitutionally small
Placenta-mediated -> pre-eclampsia, maternal smoking/alcohol, anaemia, malnutrition
Non-placenta mediated -> genetic abnormalities, structural abnormalities, fetal infection, errors of metabolism
What are maternal risk factors for a baby being small for gestational age?
Previous SGA baby
Obesity
Diabetes
HTN
Pre-Eclampsia
Mother > 35
Multiple pregnancy
Antiphospholipid syndrome
What is large for gestational age?
Above the 90th percentile or born more than 4.5 kg
What are causes of a baby being born for large for gestational age?
Constitutional
Maternal diabetes
Maternal obesity
Overdue
What are complications of a baby being born large for gestational age?
Shoulder dystopia
Failure to progress
Perineal tears
Postpartum haemorrhage
What are causes of polyhydramnios?
Impaired swallowing (oesophageal atresia)
Fetal anaemia, maternal diabetes (increased urination)
What are causes of oligohydramnios?
Decreased urination (renal agenesis)
Pre-eclampsia
HTN
Where should the fundus be palpable?
From 20 weeks - at the umbilicus
From 36 weeks - at the xiphisternum
What causes raised alpha-fetoprotein in pregnancy?
Meningocele
Omphacele
Multiple pregnancy
What causes low alpha-fetoprotein in pregnancy?
Down syndrome
Edwards syndrome
Maternal diabetes
What is the management of choice for UTI in pregnancy?
Nitrofurantoin (not in 3rd trimester)
How is VTE risk treated in pregnancy?
Low molecular weight heparin
If 3 risk factors - from 28 weeks to 6 weeks postpartum
If 4 or more risk factors - from 1st trimester to 6 weeks postpartum
What are risk factors for VTE in pregnancy?
Smoking
Parity of 3 or more
Age over 35
BMI over 30
Reduced mobility
Multiple pregnancy
Pre-eclampsia
Varicose veins
Family history
Thrombophilia
IVF
How can you differ between gestational hypertension and pre-existing hypertension
Gestational = occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy
What is pre-eclampsia? How does it present?
New hypertension in pregnancy
Proteinuria
Oedema
End organ dysfunction (e.g. raised creatinine)
Headache
Nausea
Abdominal pain
What is eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia with the addition of seizures
How is eclampsia managed?
IV Magnesium sulphate
How is pre-eclampsia risk managed?
Aspirin daily from 12 weeks
If 1 high risk factor or 2 moderate factors
How is diagnose pre-eclampsia treated?
Oral Labetalol
Planned induction
What are high risk factors for pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia in a prior pregnancy
Pre-existing hypertension
Diabetes
Renal disease
What are moderate risk factors for pre-eclampsia?
Nulliparity
Obesity
Mother or sister who had pre-eclampsia
Mother aged 40 years or older
Multiple pregnancy
What is HELLP syndrome?
Haemolysis (high LDH)
Elevated liver enzymes
Low platelet count
How does HELLP syndrome present?
Nausea and vomiting
Right upper quadrant pain
Lethargy
Headache
Bleeding
Changes in vision
Oedema
SOB
Chest pain
How is HELLP syndrome managed?
Delivery
What is gestational diabetes?
Diabetes triggered by reduced insulin sensitivity in pregnancy
What are the main complications of gestational diabetes?
Large for gestational age neonate
Macrosomia
Polyhydramnios
How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?
Oral glucose tolerance test
Fasting glucose >5.6
2 hour glucose >7.8
How is gestational diabetes treated?
If fasting glucose >7 = insulin (short acting only)
Or if there are any complications such as macrosomia or polyhydramnios = insulin
If fasting glucose <7 and no complications = Metformin
How is pre-existing diabetes treated in pregnancy?
Stop all medication other than Metformin and insulin
Start daily folic acid 5mg
Retinopathy screening at booking and at 28 weeks
Delivery between 37 and 39 weeks
What are the treatment targets in gestational diabetes?
Fasting = 5.3
2 hour = 6.4
What is obstetric cholestasis and how does it present?
Pruritus particularly in hands and feet
Due to reduced outflow of bile from liver
Also may be fatigue, dark urine, pale stools, jaundice
What are complications of obstetric cholestasis?
Increased risk of stillbirth and preterm birth
Which liver marker is normal to rise in pregnancy?
Alkaline phosphatase
How is obstetric cholestasis managed?
Ursodeoxycholic acid
Induction at 37-38 weeks due to increased risk of stillbirth
Rash in pregnancy: rash on the abdomen which spares the umbilicus?
Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy
Managed with emollients and topical steroids
Rash in pregnancy: red lump often on fingers, can be on gum?
Pyogenic granuloma
Resolves after delivery
Rash in pregnancy: fluid filled blisters around the umbilicus?
Pemphigoid gestatationitis
What is placenta praevia?
When the placenta is lying too low in the uterus and covering the internal cervical os
Can cause antepartum haemorrhage
What are the two main causes of antepartum haemorrhage?
Placenta praevia
Placental abruption