Obstetrics Flashcards
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
a pregnancy which is implanted outside the uterus
not viable
Most common site for an ectopic pregnancy?
the ampulla of the fallopian tube
RFs for ectopic pregnancy?
prev ectopic pregnancy
prev PID
prev Sx to fallopian tubes (tubal ligation)
endometriosis
IUDs
IVF
older age
smoking
Presentation of ectopic pregnancy?
typically presents around 6-8wks gestation
missed period
lower abdo pain (RIF, LIF)
vaginal bleeding
pelvic tenderness
cervical excitation
shoulder tip pain (peritonitis)
Ectopic appearance on US?
empty uterus
‘blob’ sign, ‘bagel’ sign, ‘tubal ring’ sign
Ectopic pregnancy vs corpus luteum?
ectopic pregnancy will move separately from the ovary whereas corpus luteum will move with the ovary
What is Pregnancy of Unknown Location (PUL)?
where the woman has a positive pregnancy test and there is no sign of pregnancy on US
Mx of PUL?
track serum HCG after 48hrs
rise of >63% most likely indicated intrauterine pregnancy
rise of < 63% most likely indicated ectopic pregnancy
fall of >50% most likely indicates miscarriage
When should a pregnancy be visible on US?
when the serum HCG is >1500 IU/l
3 options for Mx in ectopic pregnancy?
expectant management
medical management
surgical management
What is used as medical management in an ectopic pregnancy?
methotrexate
What is used as surgical management in an ectopic pregnancy?
salpingectomy or salpingotomy (to preserve fertility if issue with the other fallopian tube)
1 in 5 risk of failure in salpingotomy
Anti-rhesus D prophylaxis given to rhesus negative women
When can expectant management be performed in an ectopic pregnancy?
follow-up possible
unruptured mass
adnexal mass <35mm
HCG level <1500
no visible heartbeat
no significant pain
When can medical management be performed in an ectopic pregnancy?
follow-up possible
unruptured
adnexal mass <35mm
no visible heartbeat
no significant pain
HCG < 5000
confirmed absence of intrauterine pregnancy on US
When can surgical management be performed in an ectopic pregnancy?
pain
adnexal mass > 35mm
visible heartbeat
HCG > 5000
How is methotrexate given in ectopic pregnancy?
IM injection into buttocks
not recommended to get pregnant for 3 months after
What site has the highest risk of rupture in an ectopic pregnancy?
isthmus of fallopian tube
What is a miscarriage?
a spontaneous termination of a pregnancy
early miscarriage - before 12wks
late miscarriage - 12-24wks
What is a missed miscarriage?
foetus is no longer alive, but the patient has not experienced any symptoms
What is a threatened miscarriage?
vaginal bleeding with a closed cervical os and the foetus is still alive
What is an inevitable miscarriage?
vaginal bleeding with an open cervical os
What is an incomplete miscarriage?
RPOC remain in the uterus after miscarriage
What is a complete miscarriage?
full miscarriage has occurred and there are no RPOC in the uterus
What is an anembryonic pregnancy?
a gestational sac is present but there is no embryo inside it
Investigation for miscarriage?
Transvaginal US
3 features of early pregnancy on US?
mean gestational sac diameter
fetal pole and crown-rump length
fetal heartbeat
When is a fetal heartbeat expected to be seen?
when the crown-rump length is 7mm or more
if not -> repeat scan in a week to confirm non-viable pregnancy
When is a fetal pole expected to be seen?
when the mean gestational sac diameter is 25mm or more
if not -> repeat scan in a week to confirm anembryonic pregnancy
Management of miscarriage?
<6 wks -> expectant management providing no RFs, repeat urinary pregnancy test after 7-10 days, no US as nothing will be seen
> 6wks -> expectant, medical or surgical
Who can receive expectant management of a miscarriage?
women without RFs for heavy bleeding or infection
repeat urinary pregnancy test 3wks after cessation of bleeding
Medical Mx of miscarriage?
oral mifepristone vaginal misoprostol (prostaglandin analogue)
Side Effects of misoprostol?
heavy bleeding
pain
vomiting
diarrhoea
Surgical Mx of miscarriage?
Manual vacuum aspiration (local anaesthetic, <10wks)
Electric vacuum aspiration (general anaesthetic)
Anti-Rhesus D prophylaxis to rhesus negative women
Management of incomplete miscarriage?
medical (misoprostol)
surgical (evacuation of RPOC)
Complication of evacuation of RPOC?
endometritis
RFs for miscarriage?
maternal age >35
prev miscarriage
obesity
chromosomal abnormalities
smoking
uterine abnormalities
prev uterine sx
antiphospholipid syndrome
coagulopathies
When to give anti-D prophylaxis to Rhesus negative women in miscarriage?
at any gestation if undergoing Sx management
at >12 wks gestation undergoing any management
DDx for vaginal bleeding in first trimester?
implantation bleed
miscarriage
ectopic pregnancy
molar pregnancy
local causes (cervix, vagina)
What is recurrent miscarriage?
three or more consecutive miscarriages
When are investigations started in regard to recurrent miscarriages?
after 3 or more first-trimester miscarriages
after 1 or more second-trimester miscarriages
Causes of miscarriage?
idiopathic (particularly in older women)
antiphospholipid syndrome
hereditary thrombophilias
uterine abnormalities
chromosomal abnormalities (parental or embryonic)
chronic histiocytic intervillositis
chronic diseases (DM, PCOS, SLE, thyroid disease)
What is antiphospholipid syndrome?
autoimmune condition causing a hypercoagulable state, resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth and thrombosis
can be secondary to SLE
Antibodies for Antiphospholipid Syndrome?
anti-cardiolipin antibodies
Lupus anticoagulants
anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-1 antibodies
Reducing risk of miscarriage in APS?
low dose aspirin + LMWH
Examples of uterine abnormalities?
uterine septum
unicornuate uterus
bicornuate uterus
didelphic uterus
cervical insufficiency
fibroids
adhesions (Asherman’s syndrome)
Investigations for recurrent miscarriage?
antiphospholipid antibodies
inherited thrombophilia screen
cytogenetic analysis (POC)
parental blood karyotyping
pelvic US
When is cervical cerclage indicated?
prev poor obstetric hx (>3 2nd trimester miscarriages)
cervical length shortening on US
symptomatic women with premature cervical dilatation and exposed fetal membranes in vagina
Complications of cervical cerclage?
bleeding
rupture of membranes
stimulation of uterine contractions
Medical TOP comprises of?
mifepristone (anti-progesterone)
misoprostol (prostaglandin analogue) 24-48hrs after
Rhesus negative women should be give anti-D prophylaxis if >10 wks
Surgical TOP comprises of?
cervical dilatation and suction of the contents of the uterus (up to 14wks)
cervical dilatation and evacuation using forceps (14-24wks)
Rhesus negative women should have anti-D prophylaxis
When to perform urine pregnancy test post-abortion?
3 weeks post-abortion
Complications of TOP?
bleeding
pain
infection
failure of termination
damage to cervix, uterus
regret
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
NVP +
5% weight loss compared to pre-pregnancy
dehydration
electrolyte imbalance