Obstetrics Flashcards
What is done at a booking visit?
Identify high risk women who need additional care
General information = diet, alcohol, smoking, folic acid, vitamin D, antenatal classes, pregnancy care pathway, maternity benefits, how baby develops
BP, urine dipstick, check BMI
Bloods = FBC, blood group, rhesus status, red cell alloantibodies, haemoglobinopathies
Screening = Hep B, syphilis, HIV
Urine culture = asymptomatic bacteriuria
When is the first scan done
10-13+6 wks
When is OGTT offered to those at high risk of GDM
24-28 wks
o Fasting >5.6mmol/l
o 2hrs >7.8mmol/l
When is anti-D prophylaxis given to rhesus neg
1st 28 wks
2nd 34 wks
Conditions which are screened for in pregnancy
Anaemia
Bacteriuria
Blood group, Rhesus status and anti-red cell antibodies
Down’s syndrome
Fetal anomalies
Hepatitis B
HIV
Neural tube defects
Risk factors for pre-eclampsia
Syphilis
Down’s syndrome results on quad testing
Low alpha-fetoprotein
Low unconjugated oestriol
High Human chorionic gonadotrophin
High Inhibin A
Edward’s syndrome results on quad testing
Low AFP
Low unconjugated oestriol
Low HCG
Normal Inhibin A
Neural tube defects results on quad testing
High AFP
Normal unconjugated oestriol
Normal HCG
Normal Inhibin A
Findings on fetal anomaly scan
- Anencephaly
- Spina bifida
- Gastroschisis
- Exomphalos
- Trisomies
- Cleft lip
- Bilateral renal agenesis
- Diaphragmatic hernia
- Serious cardiac abnormalities
- Lethal skeletal dysplasia
Investigations for anaemia during pregnancy
- Screening at booking clinic and 28 weeks gestation
- Haemoglobinopathy screening for thalassaemia and sickle cell disease
- Ferritin, B12, folate
Indications for oral iron therapy in pregnancy
o First trimester <110g/l
o Second/third trimester <105g/l
o Postpartum <100g/L
Management of anaemia in pregnancy
- Iron deficiency Ferrous sulphate 200mg 3xday
- B12 deficiency
o Test for pernicious anaemia = intrinsic factor antibodies
o IM hydroxocobalamin injections
o Oral cyanocobalamin tablets - Folate deficiency Folic acid 5mg daily
- Thalassaemia and sickle cell
o Management with specialist haematologist
o Folic acid 5mg
o Close monitoring
o Transfusions
Causes of folic acid deficiency in pregnancy
- Phenytoin
- Methotrexate
- Pregnancy
- Alcohol excess
High risk groups for folate deficiency
- Either partner has NTD
- Previous pregnancy affected by NTD
- Family history of NTD
- Woman taking antiepileptic drugs
- Maternal coeliac disease
- Maternal diabetes
- Maternal thalassaemia
- Obesity
Prevention of folic acid deficiency
- All women take 400mcg until 12th week of pregnancy
- Women at higher risk of conceiving child with NTD take 5mg folic acid from before conception until 12th week of pregnancy
Complications of folic acid deficiency
- Macrocytic, megaloblastic anaemia
- Neural tube defects
Risk factors for gestational diabetes
- Previous gestational diabetes
- Previous macrosomic baby (>/= 4.5kg)
- BMI >30
- Ethnic origin = black Caribbean, Middle Eastern and South Asian
- FHx of diabetes
Presentation of gestational diabetes
- Large for dates fetus
- Polyhydramnios (increased amniotic fluid)
- Glucose on urine dipstick
Management of gestational diabetes
- Taught about self-monitoring of blood glucose
- 4 weekly USS to measure fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume from 28-36 wks
- If fasting glucose <7mmol/l
o Diet and exercise 1-2 weeks
o Then metformin then short-acting insulin - If fasting glucose >7mmol/l Start insulin
- Target glucose levels
o Fasting 5.3
o 1 hr after meals 7.8
o 2 hrs after meals 6.4 - OGTT 6 wks postpartum to ensure returned to normal
- Medications stopped after delivery
Management of pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy
- Weight loss for women BMI >27
- Stop oral hypoglycaemic agents (apart from metformin and commence insulin)
- Folic acid 5mg/day from pre-conception to 12wks
- Detailed anomaly scan at 20 wks
- Tight glycaemic control
- Treat retinopathy
Complications for gestational diabetes
- Large for dates fetus and macrosomia
- Shoulder dystocia = McRoberts position
- Type 2 DM after pregnancy
- Neonatal hypoglycaemia
What is gestational hypertension
- Pregnancy induced hypertension developing after 20 weeks gestation
- BP returns to normal within 6 wks of delivery
Risk factors for gestational hypertension
- Primigravidity
- Young female (x3 risk)
- Black (x2 risk)
- Multifetal pregnancies
- Hypertension
- Renal disease
- Collagen vascular disease
Management of gestational hypertension
- Mild = 140/90-159/109
o Check BP and proteinuria once or twice weekly
o Start labetalol
o Blood tests at presentation and weekly - Severe >160/110
o Admit to hospital
o Start labetalol
o Measure BP every 15-30 mins until <160/110
o Check for proteinuria daily
o Discharge when BP <140/90
Management of pre-existing hypertension in pregnancy
- Review medications in women with pre-existing HTN
- ACEi and ARBs teratogenic
o Switch to labetalol (CI in asthma)
o 2nd line = nifedipine
o 3rd methyldopa (CI. In depression) - Regular checking for proteinuria If 1+ proteinuria arrange for 24hr urine collection
- Placental growth factor-based testing between 20-35 wks
- US 28-30 wks and 32-34 wks Fetal growth, Amniotic fluid volume, Umbilical artery doppler
- 2-4 weekly appointments if well controlled
- Weekly if poorly controlled
What is pre-eclampsia
Gestational hypertension and organ damage after 20 weeks gestation
Risk factors for pre-eclampsia
- High risk
o Pre-existing hypertension
o Previous gestational hypertension/pre-eclampsia
o Existing condition = CKD, SLE, DM - Moderate risk
o First pregnancy
o Older than 40
o More than 10 years since previous pregnancy
o BMI >35
o Family history of pre-eclampsia
o Multiple pregnancy
Presentation of pre-eclampsia
- Usually asymptomatic
- Severe pre-eclampsia
o Visual disturbances or blurriness
o Headache
o Papilloedema
o RUQ/epigastric pain
o N+V
o Hyperreflexia/ankle clonus
o Platelets <100, abnormal liver enzymes, HELLP syndrome
o Oedema
Diagnostic criteria for pre-eclampsia
- New onset Hypertension (>140/90 after 20wks pregnancy)
- Proteinuria >/= 0.3g /24hr
Investigations for pre-eclampsia
- Scoring systems (fullPIERS or PREP-S)
- Urinalysis to exclude differentials and confirm diagnosis
- At diagnosis and every 2 wks
o CTG
o Foetal monitoring with US = fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume
o Uterine artery doppler - Monitoring for organ dysfunction
o Low Hb, low platelets
o High urea, creatinine, urate, low urine output
o Raised ALT and AST
o Clotting
Prevention of pre-eclampsia
Aspirin prophylaxis if 1 high-risk factor or more than one moderate-risk factor from 12 wks gestation
Management of pre-eclampsia
- Initial assessment
o Arrange emergency secondary care assessment for ALL woman with suspected pre-eclampsia
o BP >160/110 are likely to be admitted and observed - Anti-hypertensives
1. Oral Labetolol
2. Nifedipine - Palliate maternal condition to allow fetal maturation and cervical ripening
- Only cure is delivery of baby
o Mild = delivery by 37 wks
o Moderate/severe = delivery at 34-36 wks with steroids given
o IV magnesium sulphate = given during labour and 24 hours after to prevent seizures
o Fluid restriction during labour
Indications for delivery in pre-eclampsia
- Maternal
o Gestational age 38 wks
o Platelet count >100 000 cells/mm3
o Progressive deterioration in liver and renal function
o Suspected abruptio placentae
o Persistent severe headaches, visual changes, nausea, epigastric pain or vomiting - Fetal
o Severe fetal growth restriction
o Non-reassuring fetal testing results
o Oligohydramnios
Maternal complications of pre-eclampsia
o Eclampsia = generalised tonic clonic seizures, altered mental status, blindness, stroke, clonus, severe headaches, persistent visual scotomata
o Cerebrovascular accident
o Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP syndrome)
o Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
o Liver failure
o Renal failure
o Pulmonary oedema
Fetal complications of pre-eclampsia
o Intrauterine growth restriction
o Preterm birth
o Placental abruption
o Hypoxia
Maternal risk of obesity in pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- VTE
- Gestational diabetes
- Pre-eclampsia
- Dysfunctional labour, induced labour
- PPH
- Wound infections
- C-section
Fetal risks of obesity in pregnancy
- Congenital anomaly
- Prematurity
- Macrosomia
- Stillbirth
- Increased risk of developing obesity and metabolic disorder in childhood
- Neonatal death
Management of obesity in pregnancy
- Obese women should take 5mg folic acid rather than 400mcg
- Do not advise to diet during pregnancy
- Screened for gestational diabetes with OGTT at 24-28 wks
- If BMI >35 = consultant-led obstetric unit
- If BMI >40 = antenatal consultation with obstetric anaesthetist and plan made
Management of UTI in pregnancy
- 7 days Abx
o Nitrofurantoin (avoid in 3rd trimester neonatal haemolysis)
o Amoxicillin
o Cefalexin - Avoid trimethoprim in 1st trimester folate antagonist
Complications of UTI in pregnancy
- Increase risk of preterm delivery
- Low birth weight
- Pre-eclampsia
Risk factors for VTE in pregnancy
- Smoking
- Parity >/= 3
- Age >35
- BMI >30
- Reduced mobility
- Multiple pregnancy
- Pre-eclampsia
- Gross varicose veins
- Immobility
- Family history of VTE
- Thrombophilia
- IVF pregnancy
Prophylaxis of VTE in pregnancy
- LMWH = enoxaparin, dalteparin, tinzaparin
o Prophylaxis at 28 wks in 3 RF
o Prophylaxis from 12wks if 4+ RF - Intermittent pneumatic compressor
- Anti-embolic compression stockings
- Avoid DOACs and warfarin
Postpartum management of VTE
- LMWH for 6 wks if previous VTE, Anyone who had antenatal LMWH, High risk thrombophilia, Low risk thrombophilia and FHx
- LMWH at least 10 days if
o C-section
o BMI >40
o Readmission/prolonged admission (>3 days)
o Any surgical procedure
o Medical comorbidities (cancer, HF, SLE, OBD, SCD)
Management of VTE in pregnancy
- Suspected DVT Compression duplex US undertaken where clinical suspicion of DVT
- Suspected PE
o ECG and CXR
o Also with Sx of DVT, compression duplex US
o Confirmed DVT = treat with LMWH first
What is hyperemesis gravidarum
Extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy caused by raised bHCG levels
Associations of hyperemesis gravidarum
- Multiple pregnancies
- Trophoblastic disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Nulliparity
- Obesity
Protective factor for hyperemesis gravidarum
Smoking
Presentation of hyperemesis gravidarum
- Most common between 8-12 wks and may persist up to 20wks
- N+V
- Dizziness
- Low BP (Hypovolaemia)
Diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum
- 5% pre-pregnancy weight loss + dehydration + electrolyte imbalance
- Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis score (severity)
Referral criteria for hyperemesis gravidarum
- Continued N+V and unable to keep down liquids or oral antiemetics
- Continued N+V with ketonuria and/or weight loss (>5% body weight) despite treatment with oral antiemetics
- Confirmed/suspected comorbidity (unable to tolerate oral Abx for UTI)
- Low threshold for admission if co-existing condition that may adversely affected by N+V
Management of hyperemesis gravidarum
- Eat small and often
- 1st line = antihistamines
o Oral cyclizine or oral promethazine
o Oral prochlorperazine (alternative) - 2nd line = ondansetron and metoclopramide
o Metoclopramide only for 5 days (extrapyramidal S/E)
o Ondansetron in 1st trimester increases risk of cleft lip/palate - Admission may be needed for IV hydration
o If not tolerating oral fluids
o >5% weight loss
o Ketones on urine dip
Complications of hyperemesis gravidarum
- Wernicke’s encephalopathy
- Mallory-Weiss tear
- Central pontine myelinolysis
- Acute tubular necrosis
- Fetal: SGA, pre-term birth
What is large for gestational age
- EFW >90th centile
- Severe LGA >97th centile
- Birthweight more than 4.5kg
Causes of LGA
- Constitutional
- Maternal diabetes
- Previous macrosomia
- Maternal obesity or rapid weight gain
- Overdue
- Male baby
Investigations of LGA
- USS = EFW and exclude polyhydramnios
- OGTT = GDM
Management of LGA
- Most women with LGA baby have successful vaginal delivery
- No need to induce labour based on purely macrosomia
- Reduce risk of shoulder dystocia
o Consultant led unit
o Experienced midwife or obstetrician delivery
o Access to obs and theatre if required
o Active management of 3rd stage
o Early decision for c-section
o Paed at birth
Maternal complications of LGA
o Shoulder dystocia = shoulder fails to deliver after head
o Failure to progress
o 3rd degree Perineal tears
o Instrumental delivery or caesarean
o PPH
o Uterine rupture
Fetal complications of LGA
o Birth injury = Erbs palsy (C5/6), clavicular fracture, fetal distress, hypoxia
o Neonatal hypoglycaemia
o Obesity in childhood and later life
o Type 2 diabetes in adulthood
What is small for gestational age
- Infant with birth weight <10th centile for its gestational age
- Severe = <3rd centile
- Low birth weight <2500g
Major risk factors for SGA
o Maternal age >40
o Smoker >/11 day
o Previous SGA baby
o Maternal/paternal SGA
o Previous stillbirth
o Cocaine use
o Daily vigorous exercise
o Maternal disease
o Heavy bleeding
o Low pregnancy associated plasma protein
Minor risk factors for SGA
o Maternal age >=35
o Smoker 1-10/day
o Nulliparity
o BMI <20 or 25-34.9
o IVF singleton
o Previous pre-eclampsia
o Pregnancy interval <6 or >/= 60 months
o Low fruit intake pre-pregnancy
- Autoimmune disease
- Renal disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic hypertension
Presentation of SGA
- Reduced amniotic fluid volume
- Symmetrically small = constitutionally small
- Asymmetrically small = placental insufficiency
Investigations of SGA
- USS including HC and AC USS biometrics (EFW and AC) plotted on customised centile chart
- Ratio of head circumference and AC
o Symmetrically small = constitutional cause
o Asymmetrically small = placental insufficiency - Detailed fetal anatomical survey
- Uterine artery doppler
- Karyotyping
- Screening for infections (congenital CMV, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, malaria)
Prevention of SGA
- Modifiable RF managed = smoking cessation, optimising maternal disease
- High risk pre-eclampsia = 75mg aspirin 16 weeks gestation until delivery
Management of SGA
- Surveillance
o UAD repeat every 14 days
o If abnormal repeat more frequently or consider delivery
o Symphysis fundal height
o Middle cerebral artery doppler
o Ductus venosus Doppler
o CTG
o Amniotic fluid volume - Delivery
o <37 weeks if absent/reverse end-diastolic flow on doppler = C-section
o By 37 weeks if abnormal UAD/MCA doppler = induction
o At 37 weeks if normal UAD = induction
o Give single course antenatal steroids if before 37 weeks
o Continuous fetal heart monitoring required from onset of contractions
Antenatal complications of SGA
Fetal growth restriction, Stillbirth
Neonatal complications of SGA
o Birth asphyxia
o Meconium aspiration
o Hypothermia
o Hypo/hyperglycaemia
o Polycythaemia
o Retinopathy of prematurity
o Persistent pulmonary hypertension
o Necrotising enterocolitis
Long-term complications of SGA
o Cerebral palsy
o T2DM, obesity, HTN
o Precocious puberty
o Behaviour problems
o Depression
o Alzheimer’s disease
o Cancer = breast, ovarian, colon, lung and blood
What is polyhydramnios
Abnormally large level of amniotic fluid during pregnancy (above 95th centile for gestational age) = >2000ml
Causes of polyhydramnios
- Idiopathic (50-60%)
- Any condition that prevents fetus from swallowing
o oesophageal atresia
o CNS abnormalities
o muscular dystrophies
o congenital diaphragmatic hernia obstructing oesophagus - Duodenal atresia (double bubble sign on US)
- Anaemia
- Fetal hydrops
- Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Increased lung secretions
- Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities
- Maternal diabetes
- Maternal ingestion of lithium
- Macrosomia
Presentation of polyhydramnios
Maternal breathlessness
Investigations for polyhydramnios
- Examination = Palpate uterus
- US Amniotic fluid index >24cm, Maximum pool depth
- Doppler = detect fetal anaemia
- Maternal glucose tolerance test
- Karyotyping
- TORCH screen
- Maternal red cell antibodies (routinely at 28 wks)
Management of polyhydramnios
- No intervention required in most
- If symptoms severe, amnioreduction considered
- Indomethacin
o Enhance water retention and reduce fetal urine output
o Associated with premature closure of ductus arteriosus
o Not used beyond 32 wks - Baby examined before first feed by paediatrician if idiopathic
o NG tube passed to ensure not tracheoesophageal fistula or oesophageal atresia
Complications of polyhydramnios
- Increased perinatal mortality
- Malpresentation
- Cord prolapse
- PPH
What is oligohydramnios
Low level of amniotic fluid during pregnancy (<5th centile for gestational age) = <200ml
Causes of oligohydramnios
- Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes
- Placental insufficiency
- Renal agenesis (Potter’s syndrome)
- Non-functioning fetal kidneys (bilateral multicystic dysplastic kidneys)
- Obstructive uropathy
- Genetic/chromosomal anomalies
- Viral infections
Investigations of oligohydramnios
- Symphysis fundal height
- Speculum examination = pool of liquor in vagina (PPROM)
- US
o Amniotic fluid index = measuring max cord-free vertical pocket of fluid in 4 quadrants of uterus (<5cm)
o Max pool depth = vertical measurement in any area - Karyotyping
Management of oligohydramnios
- Treat underlying cause
- Ruptured membrane (PPROM)
o Labour likely to commence within 24-48 hrs in most pregnancies
o If PROM and where labour doesn’t start, induction of labour considered around 34-36 wks
o Course of steroids given to aid fetal lung development
o Abx to reduce risk of ascending infection - Placental insufficiency = Babies likely to be delivered before 36-37 wks
Complications of oligohydramnios
- Premature complications
- Infection
- Severe muscle contractions in fetus
- Poor prognosis if in 2nd trimester
Types of presentation
- Lie – relationship between long axis of fetus and mother
- Presentation – fetal part that first enters the maternal pelvis
- Position – position of fetal head as it exists birth canal