Obstetrics Flashcards
What are some causes of abdominal pain in the early stages of pregnancy ?
Ectopic pregnancy
Miscarriage
What are some causes of abdominal pain in the later stages of pregnancy ?
Labour
Placental abruption
Pre-eclampsia
Uterine rupture
What are some risk factors for ectopic pregnancy ?
Damage to tubes - salpingitis, surgery
Previous ectopic
IVF ( 3% )
At what stage of pregnancy do ectopic pregnancies present ?
6-8 weeks
What are some features of ectopic pregnancy ?
Lower abdominal pain - constant
Vaginal bleeding
Peritoneal bleeding that can cause shoulder tip pain
What is a missed miscarriage ?
This is when the gestational sac contains a dead foetus before 20 weeks without the symptoms of expulsion.
Mother may have light vaginal bleeding / discharge
What is placental abruption ?
Describes separation of a normally sited placenta from the uterine wall resulting in maternal haemorrhage into the intervening space
What are the clinical features of placental abruption ?
Disproportionate shock for blood loss
Constant pain
Tender tense pain
Coagulation problems
What is related to an increased alpha Feto-protein ?
Neural tube defects - meningocoele
Abdominal wall defects - gastroschisis
Multiple pregnancy
What is related to a decreased alpha Feto-protein ?
Down’s syndrome
Trisomy 18
Maternal diabetes mellitus
What is alpha Feto-protein produced by ?
The developing foetus
What is an amniotic fluid embolism ?
This is when foetal cells / amniotic fluid enters the mothers bloodstream and stimulates a reaction causing the presentation.
What are some risk factors for amniotic fluid embolism ?
Maternal age
Induction of labour
What are the signs and symptoms of amniotic fluid embolism ?
Chills - shivering
Anxiety
Coughing
Cyanosis
Hypotension
Bronchospasms
Tachycardia
MI
How is a diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism made ?
Clinical diagnosis of exclusion
No definitive testing
What is the management of amniotic fluid embolism ?
Critical care unit by MDT team
Supportive management
What are some lifestyle recommendations for pregnancy ?
Folic acid 400 mcg
Iron supplementation should not be offered
Vitamin D 10mcg
Avoid alcohol
Avoid smoking
Avoid unpasteurised milk, ripened cheese or undercooked meat
Safe to work
Avoid high impact sports
Why is folic acid important in pregnancy ?
400mcg should be given before conception until week 12 to reduce the risk of neural tube defects
Why should vitamin A be avoided in pregnancy ?
Might be teratogenic
What are the risks of smoking during pregnancy ?
Low birth weight
Preterm birth
What are the NICE guidelines for managing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy ?
Natural remedies - ginger and acupuncture
Antihistamines - promethazine
How many antenatal visits should there be in the first pregnancy ?
10
How many antenatal visits should there be in subsequent pregnancies ?
7
What is the purpose of the 8-12 week antenatal visit ?
General information - diet, alcohol, smoking and folic acid
BP, urine dip, BMI
Bloods - FBC, rhesus status, hepatitis B, HIV
When should Down syndrome be screened ?
11- 13 + 6 weeks
At what stage is the symphysis - fundal height measured antenatally ?
25 weeks
If a woman is rhesus negative at what stage should she be given anti-D prophylaxis ?
First dose- 28 weeks
Second dose - 34 weeks
Which conditions should be offered screening for in all pregnant women ?
Anaemia
Bacteruria
Blood group, rhesus D
Down’s syndrome
Hepatitis B
HIV
Neural tube defects
Risk factors for pre-eclampsia
Syphilis
What are some conditions that should be offered screening depending on the history during pregnancy ?
Placenta praevia
Psychiatric illness
Sickle cell anaemia
Tay-sachs disease
Thalassaemia
What is an antepartum haemorrhage ?
Defined as bleeding from the genital tract after 24 weeks pregnancy, prior to the delivery of the foetus
What are some features of placenta praevia ?
Shock in proportion to visible loss
No pain
Uterus not tender
What are some causes of bleeding in pregnancy in the 1st trimester ?
Spontaneous abortion
Ectopic pregnancy
Hydatidiform mole
What are some causes of bleeding in pregnancy in the 2nd trimester ?
Spontaneous abortion
Hydatidiform mole
Placental abruption
What are some causes of bleeding in pregnancy in the 3rd trimester ?
Bloody show
Placental abruption
Placenta praevia
Vasa praevia
What occurs in Hydatidiform mole ?
Typically bleeding in first or early second trimester associated with exaggerated symptoms of pregnancy
Large uterus and high hCG
What occurs in vasa praevia ?
Rupture of membranes followed immediately by vaginal bleeding
Foetal bradycardia is usually seen
What are some minor breastfeeding problems ?
Nipple pain - poor latch
Blocked duct ( milk bleb )
Nipple candidiasis
What is the management to nipple candidiasis during breastfeeding ?
Miconazole cream for the mother
Nystatin suspension for baby
What advice should be given if there is a blocked duct during breastfeeding ?
Breastfeeding should continue
Breast massage
Advice about positioning the baby
In what circumstances does the BNF advise treatment for mastitis during breastfeeding ?
If systemically unwell
Nipple fissure
If symptoms do not improve after 12-24 hours of effective milk removal
If culture indicates infection
What is the management of mastitis during pregnancy ?
Flucloxacillin for 10-14 days
Breastfeeding or expressing should be continued
If left untreated what can develop in mastitis ?
Breast abscess
What is the management of a breast abscess ?
Incision and drainage
What are some features of breast engorgement ?
Breast pain - typically worse before feed
Both breast affected
Fever settling witching 24 hours
Erythema
What are some complications of breast engorgement ?
Blocked milk ducts
Mastitis
Difficulties breastfeeding and with milk supply
What can relieve breast pain when the breasts are engorged ?
Hand expression of milk can help relieve the discomfort
What occurs in Raynaud’s disease of the nipple ?
Intermittent pain
Blanching of the nipple followed by cyanosis and / or erythema
What are some management options for Raynaud’s disease of the nipple ?
Minimise exposure to the cold
Use heat packs following breastfeeding
Avoid caffeine
Stop smoking
Specialist - if no improvement trial of nifedipine
What is a breech position in labour ?
The caudal end of the foetus occupies the lower segment
What is a frank breech position ?
Most common presentation with the hips flexed and knees fully extended
What is a footling breech presentation ?
Where one or both feet come first with the bottom at a higher position
Rare but carries a higher perinatal morbidity
What are some risk factors for breech position ?
Uterine malformations, fibroids
Placenta praevia
Polyhydraminos or oligohydraminos
Foetal abnormality
Prematurity
What is the management of a breeched baby ?
Before 36 weeks - most will spontaneously turn
If still breeched after 36 weeks - NICE recommend external Cephalic version ( ECV )
If still breeched after ECV plan a C section
What are some contra-indications of external cephalic version ?
Where C section delivery is required
Antepartum haemorrhage within the last 7 days
Abnormal cardiotocography
Major uterine anomaly
Ruptured membrane
Multiplier pregnancy
When is breastfeeding contra-indicated ?
Medication use
Galactosaemia
Viral infections - such as HIV
What medications should be avoided in breastfeeding mothers ?
Antibiotics - ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, sulphonamides
Psychiatric drugs - lithium, benzos
Aspirin
Carbimazole
Methotrexate
Sulfonylureas
Cytotoxic drugs
Amiodarone
What medication is first line in suppressing lactation ?
Cabergoline
What are the 2 types of caesarean section ?
Lower segment caesarean section
Classic c section - longitudinal incision in upper uterus
What are some indications for a c section ?
Absolute cephalopelvic disproportion
Placenta praevia 3/4
Pre-eclampsia
IUGR
Foetal distress
Placental abruption
Vaginal infection
Cervical cancer
What is a category 1 c section ?
An immediate threat to life of the mother or baby
Delivery should occur within 30 minutes
What are some examples for a category 1 c section decision ?
Suspected uterine rupture
Major placental abruption
Cord prolapse
Foetal hypoxia
Persistent foetal bradycardia
What is a category 2 c section ?
Maternal or foetal compromise which is not immediately life threatening
Delivery should be performed within 75 minutes
What is a category 3 c section ?
Delivery is required but mother and baby are stable
What is a category 4 c section ?
Elective c section
What are some serious complications of a c section ?
Emergency hysterectomy
Need for further surgery at a later date
Admission to ITU
Thromboembolic disease
Bladder or ureteric injury
Death ( 1 in 12000 )
What are some complications for future pregnancies of having a c section ?
Increased risk of uterine rupture
Increased risk of antepartum stillbirth
Increased risk of subsequent pregnancies of placenta praevia and accreta
What are some frequent complications of a c section of the mother ?
Persistent wound and abdominal discomfort in the first few months after surgery
Increased risk of repeat c section
Re admission to hospital
Haemorrhage
Infection - wound, UTI Endometritis
What are some frequent complications of a c section of the foetus ?
Lacerations ( 1-2 babies per 100 )
What is a baseline bradycardia in a foetus ?
HR under 100
What are some causes of a foetal baseline bradycardia ?
Increased foetal vagal tone
Maternal beta blocker use
What is a baseline tachycardia in a foetus ?
HR over 160
What are some causes of foetal baseline tachycardia ?
Maternal pyrexia
Chorioamnionitis
Hypoxia
Prematurity
What is early deceleration of the heart rate of the foetus ?
Deceleration of the HR which commences with the onset of a contraction and returns to normal on completion of the contraction
What can early deceleration indicate in a foetus ?
Innocuous feature and indicates head compression
What is late deceleration of HR in a foetus ?
Deceleration of the HR which lags the onset of a contraction and does not return to normal until after 30 seconds following the end of the contraction
What can late deceleration of foetal HR indicate ?
Indicates foetal distress - asphyxia or placental insufficiency
What does a cardiotocography ?
Records pressure changes in the uterus using internal or external pressure transducers.
Measures foetal HR
What are some features of foetal varicella syndrome ?
Skin scarring
Eye defects ( microphthalmia )
Limb hypoplasia
Microcephaly
Learning disabilities
At what stage of pregnancy is there the highest risk of developing foetal varicella syndrome from maternal varicella exposure ?
Before 20 weeks of gestation
What is the management of chicken pox exposure in pregnancy ?
If there is any doubt about the mother having chicken pox maternal blood should be urgently checked for varicella antibodies.
Administration of varicella zoster immunoglobulin
Oral aciclovir is first choice for post-exposure prophylaxis
What is chorioamnioitis ?
A potentially life threatening condition to both mother and foetus and is therefore considered a medical emergency.
It usually results from an ascending bacterial infection of the amniotic fluid / membranes / placenta.
What is the main risk of chorioamnionitis ?
Pre-term premature rupture of membranes which exposure the normally sterile environment of the uterus to potential pathogens.
What is the management of chorioamnionitis ?
Prompt delivery of the foetus
IV antibiotics
What test is standard for screening for Down’s syndrome ?
Combined test
What are some features seen during antenatal screening that suggest Down’s syndrome ?
Increased HCG
Decreased PAPP-A
Thickened nuchal translucency
What distinguishes Down’s syndrome from Patau or Edward syndrome during antenatal screening ?
Patau and Edward syndrome has lower hCG than downs
What is the condition caused by trisomy 18 ?
Edward syndrome
what is the condition caused by trisomy 13 ?
Patau syndrome
What is eclampsia ?
Defined as the development of seizures in association with pre-eclampsia.
What can be used to prevent seizures in severe pre-eclampsia ?
Magnesium sulphate
what is first line for managing magnesium sulphate induced respiratory depression ?
Calcium gluconate
What are the aims of management of epilepsy in pregnancy ?
Aim for monotherapy
No indication to monitor anti epileptic drug levels
Sodium valproate - neural tube defects
Carbamazepine - least teratogenic
Phenytoin - cleft palate
Lamotrigine - congenital malformations
Can mothers breastfeed on antiepileptics ?
Yes it is generally considered safe with the exception of barbiturates
What are some causes of folic acid deficiency ?
Phenytoin
Methotrexate
Pregnancy
Alcohol excess
What is a good source of folic acid ?
Green leafy vegetables
What are some consequences of folic acid deficiency ?
Macrocytic megaloblastic anaemia
Neural tube defects
how can neural tube defects be prevented during pregnancy ?
Women should take 400mcg of folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy
Women at high risk of conceiving a chid with neural tube defects should take 5mg of folic acid until the 12th week
What are the indications for a forceps delivery ?
Foetal distress in the second stage of labour
Maternal distress in the second stage of labour
Failure to progress in the second stage of labour
Control of head in breech deliver
What is the galactocoele ?
Occurs in women who have recently stopped breastfeeding and is due to occlusion of a lactiferous duct.
A build up of milk creates a cystic lesion in the breast.
What are the risk factors for gestational diabetes ?
BMI over 30
Previous macrosomic baby weighing 4.5kg or above
Previous gestational diabetes
First degree relative with DM
Family origin
What are some screening tests for gestational diabetes ?
Oral glucose tolerance test
What are the diagnostic thresholds for gestational diabetes ?
Fasting glucose - more than 5.6mmol/L
2 hour glucose - mor than 7.8mmol/L
What is the management of gestational diabetes ?
Newly diagnosed women
Advice about diet and exercise should be given
If glucose targets are not met Metformin should be started
What is the management of pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy ?
Weight loss for women with a BMI over 27
Stop oral hypoglycaemic agents apart from metformin and commence insulin
Folic acid 5mg/day from pre-conception to 12 weeks
Tight glycaemic control
What is the fasting target for blood glucose in pregnant women with pre-existing and gestational diabetes ?
5.3 mmol/L
What is gestational thrombocytopenia ?
Common condition of pregnancy that results from a combination of dilution, decreased production and increased destruction of platelets.
Does ITP affect the neonate ?
It can do if the maternal antibodies cross the placenta.
What are some gestational trophoblastic disorders ?
Complete Hydatidiform mole
Partial Hydatidiform mole
Choriocarcinoma
What is complete Hydatidiform mole ?
Benign tumour of the trophoblastic material.
Occurs when an empty egg is fertilised by a single sperm that then duplicates its own DNA hence all the 46 chromosomes are of paternal origin
What are the features of complete Hydatidiform mole ?
Bleeding in the first or early second trimester
Exaggerated symptoms of pregnancy
Uterus - large
Very high levels of hCG
HTN
What is the management of complete Hydatidiform mole ?
Urgent referral to specialist centre - evacuation of the uterus is performed
Effective contraception is recommend to avoid pregnancy in the next 12 months
What is the most common cause of severe infection in the neonatal period ?
Group B streptococcus
Where can neonates be exposed to group B streptococcus ?
During labour
What are the risk factors for group B streptococcus in neonates ?
Prematurity
Prolonged rupture of the membranes
Previous sibling GBS infection
Maternal pyrexia
What is the management of group B streptococcus in neonates ?
Women who have had GBS in previous pregnancy should be offered intrapartum abx prophylaxis.
Antibiotics
What is the group B streptococcus prophylaxis in neonates ?
Benzylpenicillin
What is HELLP syndrome ?
Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and a low platelet count.
Serious condition that can develop in the later stages of pregnancy
( significant overlap with pre-eclampsia in terms of features )
What are some features of HELLP syndrome ?
Nausea and vomiting
Right upper quadrant pain
Lethargy
What are the investigations for HELLP syndrome and what is seen ?
Bloods - haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet
What is the treatment of HELLP syndrome ?
Delivery of baby
What is the management when babies are born to mothers who are chronically infected with hepatitis B ?
Complete course of vaccination and hepatitis B immunoglobulin
What are some factors which reduce vertical transmission when mothers have HIV ?
Maternal antiretroviral therapy
Mode of delivery
Neonatal antiretroviral therapy
Infant feeding
What is the mode of delivery if a woman has HIV ?
Vaginal delivery is recommended if viral load is less than 50 copies/ml at 36 weeks
What is given for the neonate in a mother who has HIV ?
Zidovudine is administered orally to the neonate if maternal viral load is below 50 copies/ml
Otherwise ART should be used
Should women breastfeed with HIV ?
No
Should women breastfeed with hepatitis B ?
They can breastfeed
What is human chorionic gonadotropin ?
A hormone first produced by the embryo and later by the placental trophoblast
What is the main role of human chorionic gonadotropin ?
To prevent the disintegration of the corpus luteum
When does the hCG levels peak during pregnancy ?
Around 8-10 weeks gestation
How does BP change during pregnancy ?
Blood pressure usually falls during the first trimester
Continues to fall until 20-4 weeks
After this time the blood pressure usually increases to pre-pregnancy levels by term
What are some features of pregnancy induced HTN ?
Occurs in the second half of pregnancy
No Proteinuria
No oedema resolves after birth
What is the management of hypertension during pregnancy ?
Oral labetalol
Oral nifedipine ( if asthmatic )
What is induction of labour ?
Describes a process where labour is started artificially.
It happens in around 20% of pregnancies
What are some indications for inducing labour ?
Prolonged pregnancy ( 1-2 weeks after estimated date )
Prelabour premature rupture of the membranes where labour does not start
Maternal medical problems - diabetic mother, pre-eclampsia
Intra-uterine foetal death
What is the bishop score for inducing labour ?
Used to help assess whether induction of labour will be required.
What are the components of the bishop score ?
Cervical position
Cervical consistency
Cervical effacement
Cervical dilation
Foetal station
What score on the bishop score indicates that labour is unlikely without induction ?
Less than 5
At what score on the bishop score is the cervix ripe and there is a high chance of spontaneous labour ?
8 or more
What are some possible methods for inducing labour ?
Membrane sweep
Vaginal prostaglandin E2
Oral prostaglandin E1
Maternal oxytocin infusion
Amniotomy
Cervical ripening balloon
What are the NICE guidelines for induction if the bishop score is under 6 ?
vaginal prostaglandins or oral misoprostol
What are the NICE guidelines for induction if the bishop score is over 6 ?
Amniotomy and IV oxytocin infusion
What are the complications of inducing labour ?
Uterine hyperstimulation - prolonged and frequent uterine contractions
What is the management of uterine hyper stimulation ?
Removing the vaginal prostaglandins if possible and stopping the oxytocin infusion if one has been started
Consider tocolysis
What are some features of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy ?
Pruritus - intense and worse in the palms, soles and abdomen
Clinically detectable jaundice occurs in aorund 20%
Raised bilirubin seen in over 90%
What is the management of intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy ?
Induction of labour at 37-38 weeks
Ursodeoxycholic acid
Vitamin K supplement
What is labour ?
Defined as the onset of regular and painful contractions associated with cervical dilation and descent of the presenting part.
What are the signs of labour ?
Regular and painful uterine contractions
A show ( shedding of mucous plug )
Rupture of the membranes
Shortening and dilation of the cervix
What is stage 1 labour ?
From the onset of true labour to when the cervix is fully dilated
What is stage 2 labour ?
Full dilation to delivery of the foetus
What is stage 3 labour ?
From delivery of foetus to when the placenta and membranes have been completely delivered
What monitoring is performed during labour ?
FHR monitored every 15min
Contractions assessed every 30min
Maternal pulse rate assessed every 60min
Maternal BP and temp should be checked every 4 hours
Maternal urine should be checked for ketones and protein every 4 hours
How long does stage 1 of labour take in a primigravida ?
10-16 hours
What are the phases of cervical dilation in stage 1 ?
Latent phase - 0-3cm normally takes 6 hours
Active phase - 3-10cm normally 1cm every hour
How does the head enter the pelvis ?
Occipito - lateral position
What is the normal head position for delivery ?
Occipito-anterior position
What is passive second stage of labour ?
Refers to the 2nd stage but in the absence of pushing
What is active second stage of labour ?
The active process of maternal pushing
Which is the most painful stage of labour ?
1st
Pushing masks pain in the second stage
How long does the second stage of labour last ?
1 hour
If the second stage of labour lasts longer than an hour what should be considered ?
Ventouse extraction
Forceps delivery
Caesarian section
What is Lochia ?
Defined as the vaginal discharge containing blood, mucous and uterine tissue which may continue for 6 weeks
What is oligohydraminos ?
Reduced amniotic fluid
Less than 500ml at 32 - 36 weeks and an amniotic fluid index below the 5th percentile
What are some causes of oligohydraminos ?
Premature rupture of membranes
Potter sequence
Intrauterine growth restriction
Post term gestation
Pre-eclampsia
What is the potter sequence?
Bilateral renal agenesis and pulmonary hypoplasia
What is a first degree perineal tear ?
Superificial damage with no muscle involvement
No repair required
What is a second degree perineal tear ?
Injury to the perineal muscle but not involving the anal sphincter
Requires suturing on the ward
What is a third degree muscle tear ?
Injury to the perineum involving the anal sphincter complex
What is the management of a third degree perineal tear ?
repair in theatre by a clinician
What is a fourth degree perineal tear?
Injury to the perineum involving the anal sphincter complex and rectal mucosa
What is the management of a fourth degree perineal tear ?
Require repair in theatre by a clinician
What are some risk factors for perineal tears ?
Primigravida
Large babies
Precipitant labour
Shoulder dystocia
Forceps delivery
What is placenta accreta ?
Describes the attachment of the placenta to the myometrium due to defective decidua basalis.
What is a complication that may occur during labour in placenta accreta ?
Post partum haemorrhage
What are the risk factors of placenta accreta ?
Previous Caesarian section
Placenta praevia
What is placenta praevia ?
Describes the placenta lying wholly or partially in the lower uterine segment
What are some associated factors for placenta praevia ?
Multiparity
Multiple pregnancy
Embryos are more likely to implant in the lower segment scar from previous C sections
What are some clinical features of placenta praevia ?
Shock in proportion to visible loss
No pain
Uterus not tender
Small bleeds before large
What is contra-indicated in placenta praevia ?
Digital vaginal examination
What investigation should be performed to diagnose placenta praevia ?
Transvaginal ultrasound
What is grade 1 placenta praevia ?
Placenta reaches lower segment but not the internal os
What is grade 2 placenta praevia ?
Placenta reaches internal os but doesn’t cover it
What is grade 3 placenta praevia ?
Placenta covers the internal os before dilation but not when dilated