Obstetrics Flashcards
How would a threatened miscarriage present?
painless vaginal bleeding occurring before 24 weeks, but typically occurs at 6 - 9 weeks
the bleeding is often less than menstruation
cervical os is closed
complicates up to 25% of all pregnancies
How would a incomplete miscarriage present?
not all products of conception have been expelled
pain and vaginal bleeding
cervical os is open
How would a missed (delayed) miscarriage present?
a gestational sac which contains a dead fetus before 20 weeks without the symptoms of expulsion
mother may have light vaginal bleeding / discharge and the symptoms of pregnancy which disappear. Pain is not usually a feature
cervical os is closed
when the gestational sac is > 25 mm and no embryonic/fetal part can be seen it is sometimes described as a ‘blighted ovum’ or ‘anembryonic pregnancy’
How would an inevitable miscarriage present?
heavy bleeding with clots and pain
cervical os is open
What 3 features are the pre-eclampsia triad?
new-onset hypertension
proteinuria
oedema
What is the first line tx for pregnancy induced hypertension?
Oral labetalol
What is the first line tx for pregnancy induced hypertension if they are asthmatic?
Oral nifedipine
What is the first line tx for moderate to severe depression in pregnancy (1st time ocurrence)?
1) CBT
2) Antidepressants
What are the threshold blood pressure measurements for mild, moderate and severe gestational hypertension?
Hypertension Systolic Diastolic
Mild 140-149 mmHg 90-99 mmHg
Moderate 150-159 mmHg 100-109 mmHg
Severe >160 mmHg >110 mmHg
What are the anti-depressants of choice for post natal depression if the mother is breastfeeding?
Sertraline or paroxetine are the SSRIs of choice in breastfeeding women
How would septic miscarriage present?
Offensive vaginal loss, tender uterus +/- fever. If there is a pelvic infection you will also get abdominal pain and peritonism.
What are the examinations for suspected miscarriage?
Abdominal examination - palpation for tenderness of the uterus, if septic miscarriage then signs of peritonitis - rebound tenderness, guarding, rigid abdomen.
Speculum exam
*make sure you ask if conception was assisted = heterotropic pregnancy*
What are the investigations for suspected miscarriage?
Bedside: Obs and MEWS
Bloods: Serum hCG level. Decline in hCG of greater than 50% suggests non-viable pregnancy
FBC
Rhesus group
G&S
Imaging: Transvaginal US
What is the management for miscarriage?
In threatened miscarriage, cervical os is closed and 75% pregnancies will not end - safety net and discharge.
Admit if ectopic suspected, profuse bleeding or woman is symptomatic.
Resus if pain, bleeding, vasovagal shock. IM ergometrine can reduce bleeding - only used if fetus non-viable - do TVUS before and speculum exam. Fever = swabs and IV Abx.
Expectant - If woman willing and no signs of infection. Successful within 2-6 weeks. Large intact sac less successful. Safety net the woman and partner, discharge with info. Give direct access to 24hr emergency gynae service for advice/tx.
Medical - Vaginal or oral prostaglandin - Misoprostol. Confirmatory pregnancy test after 4 weeks. Give direct access to 24hr emergency gynae service for advice/tx. Anti D Ig.
Surgical - Surgical management/’evacuation’. Under anaesthetic using vacuum aspiration - used for woman’s wishes/heavy bleeding/signs of infection. Histological tissue examination to exclude molar pregnancy. Anti D Ig.
+ Counselling - Reassure, empathise, refer to support group - www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk.
Define recurrent miscarriage
>=3 miscarriages in succession. Affects 1% of couples.
What are the complications of miscarriage and their management?
Vaginal bleeding
Infection -> systemic -> sepsis
Asherman’s syndrome
Perforated uterus
What are the investigations for recurrent miscarriage?
Bedside: Obs and MEWS
Bloods: Antiphospholipid antibody screen, TFTs
Imaging: Pelvic ultrasound, MRI, hysterosalpingogram
Other: Speculum exam and endocervical and high vaginal swabs; karyotyping of fetal miscarriage tissue
What are the investigations for hyperemesis gravidarum?
Bedside: Obs and MEWS, check urine output, urine dipstick and MCS
Bloods: Serum hCG, U&Es, creatinine, eGFR, blood gas
Imaging: Transvaginal US (rule out multiple pregnancy and gestational trophoblastic disease)
What is the management for hyperemesis gravidarum?
Admit
A
B
C - large bore cannula, IV rehydration + antiemetics - metaclopramide/cyclizine/ondansetron + thiamine (prevent Wernicke’s encephalopathy - vitamin B1 depletion)
D - food may need to be given parenterally or via ng tube etc, psychological support needed
E
Steroids in severe places
What are the investigations for gestational trophoblastic disease?
Bedside: Obs and MEWS, check urine output, urine dipstick and MCS
Bloods: Serum hCG (elevated greatly), FBC, U&Es, creatinine, eGFR, blood gas, G&S
Imaging: Transvaginal US (rule out multiple pregnancy ) - sign on US is a ‘snowstorm’ appearance of the swollen villi with complete moles - may need histological biopsy to confirm.
How is gestational trophoblastic disease managed?
Admit, NBM, consent, FBC, G&S
1) Suction curettage (ERPC) + histological diagnosis confirmation
2) Serial blood/urine hCG levels - persistent/rising will indicate malignancy
3) Register with a supraregional centre for ongoing management and follow up
4) Oral contraception - avoid pregnancy till after surveillance period is finished
What are clinical signs of a trophoblastic malignancy?
Elevated hCG
*********Persistent vaginal bleeding********
Blood-borne metastasis to lung
How is trophoblastic malignancy managed?
Low risk: methotrexate + folic acid
High risk: combi chemotherapy
Aside from trophoblastic malignancy what other complication arises from gestational trophoblastic disease?
Recurrence of molar pregnancy
What are the different types of gestational trophoblastic disease?
Hydatidiform mole - complete (one sperm fertilises empty oocyte) and partial (2 sperm enter an oocyte)
Malignant - Invasive mole (local invasion to uterus only), Choriocarcinoma (metastasis), placental site trophoblastic tumour (presents 3.4 years after the original pregnancy; uncommon)
What are the examinations for ectopic pregancy?
Abdominal exam - tenderness on palpation and rebound tenderness
Speculum exam + bimanual exam - cervical excitation, tender adnexa, closed cervical os, small uterus
Cardiac examination - reflex tachycardia, hypotension