Obstetrics Flashcards
What is eclampsia?
It is defined as the occurence of more than or equal to 1 convulsion in a pre eclamptic woman
What are the clinical features of eclampsia?
Tonic clonic seizure lasting 60-75 seconds with a variable lasting post ictal phase
Headache
Hyperreflexia
Epigastric/RUQ Pain
Oedema
Visual disturbance
N+V
Jaundice
Convulsions may cause foetal distress andbradycardia
What investigations would you do for eclampsia?
FBC- low HB, low platelets U and Es- raised urea, creatinine, urate LFTs- raised ALT, AST and bilirubin Blood glucose Clotting studies
US- ? Placental abruption
CTG- foetal distress and bradycardia
CT/MRI head - if querying seizures
What is the management of eclampsia?
Resucitation:
A to E assessment
Lie patients in a left lateral positon with a secured airway and oxygen therapy
Seizure cessation with magnesium sulfate once decision to deliver is made
IV bolus of 4g over 5-10mins then 1g/hr and treat further fits with a 2g bolus
Blood pressure control- IV labetalol/hydralazine aiming for BP <120mmHg
Delivery once mother is stable (c section)
What ate the complications of Eclampsia?
For mother- HELLP syndrome, DIC, cerebrovascular haemorrhage, AKI, ARDS
Foetal- IUGR, prematurity, RDS, placental abruption, intra uterine death
What are the risk factors for shoulder dystocia?
Pre labour: Previous shoulder dystochia Macrosomia Maternal diabetes Maernal BMI>30 and IOL
Intrapartum: prolonged labour, oxytocin, assisted vaginal delivery
How would you manage shoulder dystocia?
Advise mum to stop pushing
Apply axial traction
Consider epiostomy
What are the manouevers used for shoulder dystocia?
Mcroberts manoeuvre (hyperflex and abduct the maternal hips and tell the mum to stop pushing) Suprapubic pressure
If this doesnt work then posterior arm removal or internal rotation
What are the complications of shoulder dystocia?
For mother- PPH, tears, pelvic floor weakness, temporary nerve damage
For foetus- humerus/clavicle fracture, brachial plexus injury, hypoxic brain injury (umbilical cord compressed in pelvic inlet)
What is a umbilical cord prolapse?
This is where the umbilical cord descends through the cervix with/before the presenting part of the foetus
There are a few types; occult, ovet, and cord presentation
What are the risk factors for chord prolapse?
Breech Unstable lie Artificial ROM with foetal staton Polyhydramnios Prematurity Multiple pregnancy
How should you manage someone with cord prolapsion?
Keep cord warm and moist and avoid handling
Manually elevate the presenting part off the cord by DV exam
Re position the mother to relieve the pressure on cord from presenting part…
- knee position on all fours
- left lateral lie
Consider tocolysis (this relaxes the uterus and stops comtractions and therefore relieves pressure of the cord)
Delivery is by emergency c section and instrumental delivery if the cervix is fully dilated and presenting part is low
What are the causes for foetal asphyxia in cord prolapse?
Occlusion by presenting part of foetus pressing on the umbilical cord
Arterial vasospasm- exposure of the umbilical cord to the cold atmosphere results in umbilical arterial vasospasm, reducing blood flow to the foetus
What is PPPH defined as?
PV blood loss within 24 hours of delivery
Minor PPH: 500-1000ml blood loss
Major PPH: >1L blood loss
What causes PPPH?
Tone- uterine atony (most common) where the uterus fails to contract adequately
Tissue- retention of placental tissue
Trauma- damage sustained during delivery
Thrombin- coagulopaghies and vascular abnormalities
What are the risk factors for PPPH?
Mother: >40, BMI >25, asian, previous PPH
Uterine overdistension: multiple pregnancy, polyhydramnios, macrosomia
Placental problems- placenta praevia, placenta accreta, placental abruption, pre eclampsia
Labour- IOL, prolonged >12 hours
Delivery- precipitate delivery, shoulder dystocia, instrumental, episiotomy, C section
What are investigations and management needed for PPPH?
FBC G+S and X match 4-6 units of blood Coagulation progile U and Es LFTs Examine placenta
Immediate management; 15L 100% O2 via. NRBM Insert two 14G cannulas Give cross matched blood Until then give 2L warmed crystalloid, 1-2L warmed colloid, O negative blood or uncross matched group specific blood
Catheterise
What is the definitive management of PPPH?
Stopping PPH: Uterine massage Bimanual compression Tranexamic acid Massive obstetric haemorrhage call
Fluds and blood
Crystallid- up to 2L hartmanns
Colloid- up to 1.5L until blood arrives
Blood should he given when available, O neg, group specific or cross matched depending on urgency
Fresh frozen plasma: 4 units FFP to every 4 units blood or if clotting prolonged
Platelets are given if PLT <75 and bleeding is ongoing
Cryoprecipitate if fibrinogen <2
Give two examples of uretotonic drugs?
Oxytocin
Misoprostol
What is secondary PPH associated with?
Endometritis
Or retained products of conception
Mothers may need abx +/- surgical evacuation of retained products
What investigations would you want for SPPH?
Bloods- FBC, G+S, X match, coagulation (may need FFP), u and Es, cultures
Pelvic USS- can diagnose retained placental tissue
What is the treatment of secondary PPH?
Abx- ampicillin and metronidazole
Gentamicin added if endometritis or overt sepsis
Uterotonics- oxytocin, sytrometrine, carboprost, misoprostal)
Intrauterine balloon tamponade if excessive bleeding
Massive SPPh may be managed the same as PPPH
What is an amniotic fluid embolism caused by?
Either strong contractions (IOL)
Polyhydramnios (more amniotic fluid to move)
Disruption of the vessels supplying the uterus
What are the clinical features of amniotic fluid embolism?
Dyspnoea Tachycardia Hypotension Hypoxia Cyanosis Seizures Arrythmias Cardiac arrest
What happens to people who experience an amniotic fluid embolism?
If they survive, 30 minutes later they may develop DIC and then ARDs
What are the differentials for Amniotic fluid embolism?
PE Anaphylaxis Sepsis Eclampsia MI
What investigations and management is used for amniotic fluid embolism?
There are no diagnostic tests but can do…
Bloods- FBC, UEs, ABG, vlotting studies, calcium and magnesium
ECG (ischaemic changes)
CXR (pulmonary oedema)
How do you treat amniotic fluid embolism?
Resucitate via A to E approach
Treat DIC
If the mother is stable then continous goetal monitoring with a view to delivery imminently
What are the three types of breech?
Complete breech
Frank breech
Footling breech
What are the risk factors for breech?
Uterine- multiparity, uterine malformations, fibroids, placenta praevia
Foetal- prematurity, macrosomia, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnos, multiple pregnancies
How should you treat breech?
External cephalic version
Casarean section
Vaginal breech birth
When can external cephalic version be offered?
ECV should be offered from 36 weeks in nulliparous women and 37 weeks in multiparous women
It involes manipulation of the foetus to a cephalic presentation through the maternal abdomen to enable a vaginal delivery
When is ECV contraindicated and what should you do instead?
APH within last 7 days Abnormal CTG Major uterine anomaly Ruptured membranes Multiple pregnancy Placenta praevia
C sectoon!
Foetal abnormalities
Pre eclampsia
Hypertension
What are the contraindications to vaginal breech birth.
Footling or kneeling breech
Large or small foetus
Previous c section
Hyper extended foetal neck
What is oligohydramnios?
Amniotic fluid which is below the 5th centile for the gestational age
Amniotic flis increases steadily intil 33 weeks, then plateus at 33-38 and then declines
Amniotic fluid at term is 500ml
What is PPROM?
A pregnancy complication where the sac (amniotic membrane) surrounding the baby breaks (ruptures) before week 37 of pregnancy
What causes oligohydramnios?
PPROM
Placental insufficiency (blood flow is redistributed to the brain rather than abdo and kidneys- causing poor urine output)
Renal agenesis (potters syndrome- a complete absence of one or both kidneys)
Non functioning foetal kidneys
Obstructive uropathy
Gentic/ chrosomal abnormalities
Viral infections (may also cause polyhydramnios)
What are the Ix for amniotic fluid volume?
USS to either measure max pool depth or amniotic fluid index
Once oligohydramnios is diagnosed it is essential to identify the cause…
Symphysis- fundal height to look for IUGR
Speculum to look for PPROM
USS to look for structural abnormalities
What is the prognosis of a foetus with oligohydramnios?
It is associated with prematurity
Also amniotic fluid allows the foetus to move limbs in utero and therefore without it the foetus can develop severe muscle contractures leading to disability