obstetrics Flashcards
placenta accreta
placenta attaches to the myometrium
placenta increta
placenta invades into the myometrium
placenta percreta
placenta percolates through the perimetrium
what is the cut off for iron supplementation in the first trimester
<110g/L
what is the cut off for iron supplementation in the second/third trimester
<105g/L
what is the cut off for iron supplementation post partum
<100g/L
when are preg women screened for anaemia
the booking visit (often done at 8-10 weeks)
28 weeks
formal definition of pre-eclampsia
new-onset blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg after 20 weeks of pregnancy, AND 1 or more of the following:
- proteinuria
- other organ involvement: e.g. renal insufficiency (creatinine ≥ 90 umol/L), liver, neurological, haematological, uteroplacental dysfunction
high RFs for pre-eclampsia
- hypertensive disease in a previous pregnancy
- chronic kidney disease
- autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome
- type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- chronic hypertension
moderate RFs for pre-eclampsia
- first pregnancy
- age 40 years or older
- pregnancy interval of more than 10 years
- body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m² or more at first visit
- family history of pre-eclampsia
- multiple pregnancy
what to do it 1+ high Rfs or 2+ mod Rfs for pre-eclampsia
take aspirin 75-150mg (low dose) daily from 12 weeks gestation until the birth
first line for pre-eclampsia
oral labetalol
nifedipine if asthma
delivery is definitive
who to admit for pre-eclampsia
≥ 160/110 mmHg
causes of PPH
Tone (uterine atony): the vast majority of cases
Trauma (e.g. perineal tear)
Tissue (retained placenta)
Thrombin (e.g. clotting/bleeding disorder)
RFs primary PPH
previous PPH
prolonged labour
pre-eclampsia
increased maternal age
polyhydramnios
emergency Caesarean section
placenta praevia, placenta accreta
macrosomia
the effect of parity on the risk of PPH is complicated. It was previously thought multiparity was a risk factor but more modern studies suggest nulliparity is actually a risk factor
mx PPH
ABC approach
- two peripheral cannulae, 14 gauge
- lie the woman flat
- bloods including group and save
- commence warmed crystalloid infusion
mechanical
- palpate the uterine fundus and rub it to stimulate contractions (‘rubbing up the fundus’)
- catheterisation to prevent bladder distension and monitor urine output
medical
- IV oxytocin: slow IV injection followed by an IV infusion
- ergometrine slow IV or IM (unless there is a history of hypertension)
- carboprost IM (unless there is a history of asthma)
- misoprostol sublingual
- there is also interest in the role tranexamic acid may play in PPH
surgical:
- intrauterine balloon tamponade
- B-Lynch suture, ligation of the uterine arteries or internal iliac arteries
if severe, uncontrolled haemorrhage then a hysterectomy is sometimes performed as a life-saving procedure
when is a baby dx w foetal macrosomia
birth weight >4kg
PPH def
blood loss of > 500 ml after a vaginal delivery and may be primary (within 24 hrs) or secondary.
erb’s palsy arm position
adduction and internal rotation of the arm, with pronation of the forearm.
RFs of shoulder dystocia
fetal macrosomia (hence association with maternal diabetes mellitus)
high maternal body mass index
diabetes mellitus
prolonged labour
mx shoulder dystocia
McRoberts’ manoeuvre (mums knees to abdo)- providing a posterior pelvic tilt
Pressure to anterior shoulder
Episiotomy
Rubins manoeuvre
Wood’s screw manoeuvre
Zavanelli manoeuvre
RFs for gestational diabetes
BMI of > 30 kg/m²
previous macrosomic baby weighing 4.5 kg or above
previous gestational diabetes
first-degree relative with diabetes
family origin with a high prevalence of diabetes (South Asian, black Caribbean and Middle Eastern)
how to screen for gestational diabetes
OGTT
if had it previously: OGTT asap after booking + at 24-28 wks if 1st test is normal
any other RFs: OGTT at 24-28 wks
diagnostic thresholds for gestational diabetes
fasting glucose is >= 5.6 mmol/L
2-hour glucose is >= 7.8 mmol/L
gest diabetes if the fasting plasma glucose level is < 7 mmol/l
trial of diet and exercise
if glucose targets are not met within 1-2 weeks of altering diet/exercise metformin should be started
if glucose targets are still not met insulin should be added to diet/exercise/metformin
gestational diabetes is treated with short-acting, not long-acting, insulin
gest diabetes mx if the fasting glucose level is >= 7 mmol/l
start insulin
how to induce labour if bishop score </= 6
vaginal prostaglandins or oral misoprostol
how to induce labour if bishop score > 6
amniotomy and an intravenous oxytocin infusion
main comp of induction of labour
Uterine hyperstimulation
first-line treatment for magnesium sulphate induced respiratory depression
Calcium gluconate
what vaccines is a woman offered at 16-32 wks preg
pertussis and influenza
1st degree tear
limited to the superficial perineal skin or vaginal mucosa only
2nd degree tear
extends to perineal MUSCLES + fascia, but anal sphincter is in tact
3rd degree tear (a)
<50% thickness of EXTERNAL ANAL sphincter is torn
3rd degree tear (b)
> 50% thickness of EXTERNAL ANAL sphincter is torn
3rd degree tear (c)
external + INTERNAL anal sphincters are torn
4th degree tear
perineal skin, muscle, anal sphincter + ANAL MUCOSA are torn
tx of vaginal tear
assess extent of the trauma
1. if minimal blood loss may not need anything
2. suture - experienced midwife
3 + 4. surgical repair by experienced clinician, sld take place in operating theatre under regional / general anaesthetic
Broad spec abx + laxatives
what is lochia
passing vaginal discharge containing blood, mucus + uterine tissue which can continue for 6 weeks after childbirth
chickenpox exposure in pregnancy
check for varicella antibodies if doubt about prev infection
<20 wks + not immune = varicella immunoglobulin asap
> 20 wks + not immune = VXIG/antivirals given 7-14 days after exposure
mx of chickenpox in preg
> 20 wks + rash within 24 hrs presentation = oral aciclovir 800mg 5x/day 7 days
risk to fetus if mum gets chickenpox in preg
Fetal varicella syndrome (FVS)
- skin scarring, eye defects (microphthalmia), limb hypoplasia, microcephaly and learning disabilities
Shingles in infancy
Severe neonatal varicella
what does the mum have greater risk of if she gets chickenpox in preg
5 times greater risk of pneumonitis
normal BP variations in preg
blood pressure usually falls in the first trimester (particularly the diastolic), and continues to fall until 20-24 weeks
after this time the blood pressure usually increases to pre-pregnancy levels by term
what is HTN in preg defined as
systolic > 140 mmHg or diastolic > 90 mmHg
or an increase above booking readings of > 30 mmHg systolic or > 15 mmHg diastolic
gestational HTN
Hypertension occurring in the second half of pregnancy (i.e. after 20 weeks)
No proteinuria, no oedema
Occurs in around 5-7% of pregnancies
Resolves after birth
mx gestational HTN /pre-existing in preg
1 = oral labetalol
oral nifedipine (e.g. if asthmatic) and hydralazine
RFs for breech
uterine malformations, fibroids
placenta praevia
polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios
fetal abnormality (e.g. CNS malformation, chromosomal disorders)
prematurity (due to increased incidence earlier in gestation)
what is more common in breech
cord prolapse
mx breech
if < 36 weeks: many fetuses will turn spontaneously
if still breech at 36 weeks = external cephalic version (ECV). Success rate = 60%. Offer from 36 weeks in nulliparous women and from 37 weeks in multiparous women
Still breech = c sec?
absolute CIs to ECV
where caesarean delivery is required
antepartum haemorrhage within the last 7 days
abnormal cardiotocography
major uterine anomaly
ruptured membranes
multiple pregnancy
CIs to VBAC
previous uterine rupture or classical caesarean scar (vertical)
- offered a caesarean section at 37 weeks or more
Cat 1 c sec
an immediate threat to the life of the mother or baby
delivery of the baby should occur within 30 minutes of making the decision
Cat 2 c sec
maternal or fetal compromise which is not immediately life-threatening
delivery of the baby should occur within 75 minutes of making the decision
Cat 3 c sec
delivery is required, but mother and baby are stable
Cat 4 c sec
elective
some causes of folic acid deficiency
phenytoin
methotrexate
pregnancy
alcohol excess
Consequences of folic acid deficiency
macrocytic, megaloblastic anaemia
neural tube defects
how to take folic acid in preg
all women should take 400mcg of folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy
women at higher risk should take 5mg of folic acid from before conception until the 12th week of pregnancy
- either partner has a NTD, they have had a previous pregnancy affected by a NTD, or they have a FHx of a NTD
- antiepileptic drugs, has coeliac disease, diabetes, or thalassaemia trait.
- BMI > 30
what is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy / Obstetric Cholestasis
reduced outflow of bile acids from the liver
occurs in 1% of pregnant women
usually dev after 28 wks, the result of increased oestrogen and progesterone levels
more common in women of South Asian ethnicity
increased risk of stillbirth
intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy / Obstetric Cholestasis presentation
3rd trim
Itching (pruritis) - particularly affecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Fatigue
Dark urine
Pale, greasy stools
Jaundice
No rash
intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy / Obstetric Cholestasis ix
Abnormal LFTs - mainly ALT, AST and GGT
Raised bile acids
(It is normal for ALP to increase in pregnancy as it is produced by the placenta)
intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy / Obstetric Cholestasis mx
Ursodeoxycholic acid
Water-soluble vitamin K can be given if clotting (prothrombin time) is deranged
Monitor of LFTs is required during pregnancy (weekly) and after delivery (after at least ten days)
Planned delivery after 37 weeks
screening for down’s syndrome
the combined test
when
results
done between 11-13+6 wks
↑ HCG
↓ PAPP-A
thickened nuchal translucency
screening for down’s syndrome
the quadrapule test
when
results
offered between 15 - 20 weeks
↓ AFP
↓ oestriol
↑ hCG
↑ Inhibin A
quadrapule test in Edward’s syndrome
↓ AFP
↓ oestriol
↓ hCG
↔ Inhibin A
quadrapule test for neural tube defects
↑ AFP
↔ oestriol
↔ hCG
↔ Inhibin A
Results of combined or quadruple tests
Both the combined and quadruple tests return either a ‘lower chance’ or ‘higher chance’ result
‘lower chance’: 1 in 150 chance or more e.g. 1 in 300
‘higher chance’: 1 in 150 chance or less e.g. 1 in 100
what to do when a woman has higher chance of down syndrome results
offered a second screening test (Non-invasive prenatal screening test-NIPT, high sensitivity + specificity) or a diagnostic test (e.g. amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
Causes of an increased nuchal translucency
Down’s syndrome
congenital heart defects
abdominal wall defects
RFs for GBS infection
prematurity
prolonged rupture of the membranes
previous sibling GBS infection
maternal pyrexia e.g. secondary to chorioamnionitis