Obstetrics Flashcards
what is the triad of symptoms in Pre-eclampsia?
hypertension
proteinuria
oedema
when does pre-eclampsia occur?
after 20 weeks gestation
when is a woman given aspirin as prophylaxis for pre-eclampsia?
if they have one high risk factor (e.g pre-existing hypertension, previous gestational hypertension, autoimmune conditions e.g SLE, diabetes, CKD) or two moderate risk factors (>40, BMI >35, >10 years since previous pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, first pregnancy, FH of pre-eclampsia)
what are the symptoms of complications of pre-eclampsia?
headache visual disturbance oedema reduced UO nausea and vomiting brisk reflexes upper abdo pain
what is the diagnostic criteria for pre-eclampsia?
BP > 140/90 plus one of:
- urine protein:creatinine ratio >30mg/mmol
- maternal organ dysfunction
- uteroplacental insufficiency: FGR, abnormal doppler studies
what antihypertensives are given in pregnancy?
labetolol- 1st line
nifedipine- 2nd line
methyldopa- 3rd line
IV hydralazine- used in critical care for severe pre-eclampsia
what antihypertensives are used postnatally?
enaparil- 1st line
nifedipine or amlodipine- 1st line in black African or carribean patients
labetolol or atenolol
what are the BP targets antenatally and postnatally?
antenatally- 135/85
postnatally- 140/90
what is IV magnesium sulphate used for in pre-eclampsia?
given during labour and 24 hours after for prophylaxis and treatment of eclamptic seizures
what is HELLP syndrome?
a combination of features that occur as a complication of pre-eclampsia
Haemolysis
Elevated Liver enzymes
Low Platelets
when is delivery recommended in pre-eclampsia?
if hypertension is well controlled and no complications- 37 weeks
where delivery is indicated prior to 36 weeks maternal antenatal corticosteroids should be considered
what is considered severe gestational hypertension?
160/110
patient should be admitted
what is placental growth factor (PIGF) testing used for?
used between 20 and 35 weeks to rule out pre-eclampsia
PIGF is low in pre-eclampsia
what are the foetal complications of pre-eclampsia?
intrauterine growth restriction
prematurity
when is oral glucose tolerance testing offered in pregnancy?
at booking if previous GDM at 24-28 weeks if they have: -any risk factors for GDM -large for dates fetus -polyhydramnios -glucose on urine dip
what are risk factors for GDM/
previous GDM BMI>30 previous macrocosmic baby >4.5kg black Caribbean, Middle Eastern or south asian ethnicity family history of diabetes
what are the diagnostic values for GDM on an OGTT?
fasting plasma glucose >5.6mmol/L
2 hopur plasma glucose >7.8mmol/L
how is gestational diabetes managed?
fasting glucose <7- trial of diet and exercise for 1-2 weeks followed by metformin then insulin if not controlled
fasting glucose > 7 or >6 + macrosomia- start insulin with or without metformin
what are the complications of gestational diabetes?
mother:
- macrosomia- more painful birth and increased risk of shoulder dystocia
-perinatal mortality
- incduced labour, c-section delivery
- increased risk of T2DM after pregnancy
baby:
- macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, birth injuries (nerve palsies)
-neonatal hypoglycaemia, jaundice, polycythemia (^ haemoglobin)
- ^ risk of obesity and T2DM in later life
- ^ risk of congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy
when should women with uncomplicated gestational diabetes give birth?
no later than 40+6 weeks
what is placenta praevia?
the placenta is attached in the lower part of the uterus, lower than the presenting part of the foetus and is covering the internal cervical os
what is a low lying placenta?
the placenta is within 20mm of the internal cervical os
what are the risks associated with placenta praevia?
antepartum haemorrhage emergency c-section emergency hysterectomy maternal anaemia and transfusions preterm birth and low birthweight still birth
what are the risk factors for placenta praevia?
previous C section previous placenta praevia older maternal age maternal smoking structural uterine abnormalities(e.g. fibroids) assisted reproduction (e.g. IVF)
how does placenta praevia present?
usually found on the 20 week anomaly scan
may present with painless vaginal bleeding, usually post coitally
abnormal lie and presentation
how is low lying placenta or placenta praevia managed?
if a low lying placenta is detected at the 20 week scan repeat transvaginal ultrasound scans are offered at 32 weeks and 36 weeks to check if the placenta has migrated (9 in 10 do)
corticosteroids- given between 34 and 35+6 weeks to mature fatal lungs given the risk of premature delivery
planned early C section at 37 weeks
emergency C-section if there is premature labour or antenatal bleeding
what is placental abruption?
where the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus during pregnancy. it is a significant cause of antepartum haemorrhage
what are the risk factors for placental abruption?
previous placental abruption pre-eclampsia bleeding early in pregnancy trauma (consider domestic violence) multiple pregnancy Fetal growth restriction multigravida increased maternal age smoking cocaine or amphetamine
how does placental abruption present?
sudden onset severe abdominal pain that is continuous
vaginal bleeding (antepartum haemorrhage)
shock (hypotension and tachycardia)
abnormalities on the CTG (metal distress)
characteristic ‘woody’ abdomen on palpation suggesting a large haemorrhage
how is the severity of antepartum haemorrhage quantified?
minor- less than 50ml
major- 50-1000ml
massive- >1000ml
what is a concealed abruption?
the cervical os remains closed and any bleeding that occurs remains within the uterine cavity. in this case the severity of the bleeding can be significantly underestimated
how is placental abruption managed?
it is an obstetric emergency
CTG monitoring of foetus
fluid and blood resuscitation as required
anti-d should be given to rhesus-D negative
emergency C-section if the mother is unstable or there is fetal distress
what is vasa praevia?
a condition where the metal vessels are within the metal membranes (chorioamniotic membranes) and are not contained within the umbilical cord and travel across the internal cervical os. these vessels are prone to bleeding, particularly when the membranes are ruptures during labour. it is a cause of antepartum haemorrhage
what are the types of vasa praevia?
type 1- velementous umbilical cord- the umbilical cord inserts into the chorioamniotic membranes and the fetal vessels travel unprotected through the membranes before joining the placenta
type 2- an accessory lobe of the placenta is connected by metal vessels which travel through the chorioamniotic membranes
what are the risk factors for vasa praevia?
low lying placenta
IVF pregnancy
multiple pregnancy
how does vasa praevia present?
may be diagnosed by ultrasound during pregnancy
may present with antepartum haemorrhage in the 2nd or 3rd trimester
may be detected by vaginal examination during labour- pulsating fetal vessels seen through the cervix
may be detected during labour when bleeding and fetal distress occurs following rupture of membranes. carries a high risk of fatal mortality
how is vasa praevia managed?
if vasa praevia is diagnosed early: corticosteroids to mature fetal lungs and elective C section planned for 34-36 weeks.
where antepartum haemorrhage occurs emergency C section is required to deliver the fetus before death occurs
how many antenatal clinic appointments will a nulliparous and porous woman have during an uncomplicated pregnancy?
10 for nulliparous woman
7 for porous woman
when is the booking scan and anomaly scan carried out?
booking scan- between 11+2 and 14+1 weeks
anomaly scan- between 18 and 20+6 weeks
when is the combined test carried out and what does it test for?
between 10 and 14 weeks
it involves a blood test and a nuchal thickness measurement
tests for downs syndrome, Edwards syndrome and pataus syndrome
what does the quadruple test test for and when can it be carried out?
the quadruple test is a blood test which screens for downs syndrome. can be carried out between 14 and 20 weeks