Obstetrics🤰🏻 Flashcards
What bacteria causes a group B strep infection in pregnant women?
Streptococcus agalactiae
How many women carry GBS asymptomatically?
25%
Where does GBS colonise asymptomatically?
Gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts
What are the risk factors for neonatal GBS infection?
Positive GBS culture in current or previous pregnancy Previous birth resulting in GBS infection Pre-term labour Prolonged rupture of membranes Intrapartum fever > 38 Chorioamnionitis
What is the presentation of GBS infection?
Sepsis Pneumonia Meningitis
How is GBS passed from mother to baby?
Vertical transmission of bacteria during childbirth
What is the management of GBS infection during pregnancy?
Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis - IV benzylpenicillin during labour and delivery
What is pre-eclampsia?
New hypertension in pregnancy with end organ dysfunction or proteinuria
What is eclampsia?
When seizures develop as a cause of pre-eclampsia
What is gestational hypertension?
New hypertension in pregnancy after 20 weeks that is not associated with proteinuria
What is the triad seen in pre-eclampsia?
Hypertension Proteinuria Oedema
What is the cause of pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is caused by poor vascular resistance in the spinal arteries and poor perfusion of the placenta
What are high risk factors for pre-eclampsia?
Pre-existing hypertension Pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancyExisting autoimmune conditions DiabetesCKD
What are moderate risk factors for pre-eclampsia? (4)
High BMIAge > 40More than 10 years since previous pregnancy First pregnancy Multiple pregnancy Family history of pre-eclampsia
What may be offered as prophylaxis for pre-eclampsia?
Aspirin (from week 12)
Who should be offered prophylaxis for pre-eclampsia?
Women with one high risk factor, or multiple moderate risk factors
What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
Visual disturbances Headache Nausea and vomiting Epigastric pain Oedema Reduced urine output Brisk reflexes
What is the diagnosis criteria for pre-eclampsia?
Hypertension (over 140 systolic or 90 diastolic)PLUS any of:- Proteinuria - Evidence of end organ damage - Placental dysfunction
What are the indicators of organ dysfunction in pre-eclampsia?
Raised liver enzymes Thrombocytopenia Raised creatinine Seizures Haemolytic anaemia
What test can be used to rule out pre-eclampsia?
Placental growth factor - Tested for in women suspected of pre-eclampsia between 20 and 35 weeks - Levels will be low in pre-eclampsia
What tests are used to monitor pre-eclampsia?
Blood pressureSymptom monitoring Urine dipstickUltrasound monitoring of fetus
What is the management of gestational hypertension?
Aim for BP 135/85Admission for BP 160/110Urine dipstick testing weekly Bloods weekly PlGF testing on one occasion Serial fetal growth scans
What is the first line pharmacological management of pre-eclampsia?
Labetolol
What other anti-hypertensives can be used in the management of pre-eclampsia?
Nifedipine - second line Methyldopa - third line
What is the first line management of pre-eclampsia after delivery?
Enalapril
What are the second and third line management options for pre-eclampsia after delivery?
Nifedipine or amlodipine Labetolol or atenolol
What antihypertensive is given in severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia?
IV hydralazine
What medication is given during delivery and in the 24 hours after to prevent seizures?
IV magnesium sulfate
What medication is used to manage seizures associated with eclampsia?
IV magnesium sulfate
What are the maternal complications of pre-eclampsia?
Eclampsia
HELLP syndrome
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Organ failure
What are the foetal complications of pre-eclampsia?
Intrauterine growth restriction
Pre-term delivery
Placental abruption
Neonatal hypoxia
What is HELLP syndrome?
Haemolysis Elevated liver enzymes Low platelets
What is the definitive curative treatment of pre-eclampsia?
Delivery of the placenta
What must be monitored whilst magnesium sulfate is given?
Respiratory rate due to the risk of respiratory depression as a side effect
How often should women with pre-eclampsia be monitored?
They should have U&Es, FBC, transaminases and LFTs three times per week
What is gestational diabetes?
Insufficient insulin secretion to compensate for insulin resistance in pregnancyGestational diabetes is diabetes seen for the first time during pregnancy
What are the risk factors for GDM? (4)
Previous GDMPrevious macrosomic babyBMI > 30Ethnicity (Asian and Hispanic) Family history of diabetesPCOS
What are the physiological differences in insulin in pregnancy?
Increased insulin resistance (in the second and third trimester)
What are the physiological differences in glucose in pregnancy?
Fasting and post meal levels of glucose are decreased
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Most women are asymptomatic
What is the main investigation for gestational diabetes?
Oral glucose tolerance test
What OGTT results will be seen in a woman with gestational diabetes?
Fasting glucose > 5.6 mmol/LAt 2 hours > 7.8 mmol/L
When should OGTT be performed to diagnose gestational diabetes?
Between 24-28 weeks
Who is an OGTT performed on?
Any woman with risk factors for gestational diabetes, plus anyone with features that suggests gestational diabetes:- Large for dates fetus - Polyhydramnios - Glucose on urine dipstick
What are the fetal complications of gestational diabetes? (4)
Macrosomia Pre-term delivery Neonatal hypoglycaemiaIncreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in lifeCongenital heart disease Neonatal jaundice
What are the maternal complications of gestational diabetes?
Increased risk of hypertension Increased risk of pre-eclampsia Increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life Increased risk of recurrent GDM with next pregnancy
What is the first line management of gestational diabetes?
Fasting glucose < 7 mmol/L - trial of diet and exercise Fasting glucose > 7 mmol/L - insulin + metforminFasting glucose 6-6.9 mmol/L with evidence of macrosomia - insulin + metformin
What medication can be used as an alternative to metformin in gestational diabetes?
Glibenclamide (sulfonylurea)
What are the target glucose levels for women with gestational diabetes?
Fasting - 5.3 mmol/L 1 hour post meal - 7.8 mmol/L 2 hours post meal - 6.4 mmol/L
What type of screening should mothers with pre-existing diabetes be offered during pregnancy?
Retinopathy screening when the woman becomes pregnancy, and at 28 weeks
When should women with pre-existing diabetes have given birth by?
Between 37 and 38+6 weeks
How long should diet and exercise be trialled in women with gestational diabetes?
1-2 weeks - offer metformin if glucose levels have not improvedOffer insulin if glucose levels have still not improved
What medication can be added to insulin in women with gestational diabetes?
Metformin
When should pregnant people with previous gestational diabetes be screened during their next pregnancy?
At booking, and again at 24-28 weeks
What is a postpartum haemorrhage?
Heavy bleeding after giving birth
What is a minor vs major postpartum haemorrhage?
Minor < 1 litre, major > 1 litre
How can a major PPH be further classified?
Moderate PPH - 1000-2000ml Severe PPH - > 2000ml
What is a primary PPH?
PPH within 24 hours of delivery
What is a secondary PPH?
PPH after 24 hours post delivery (up to 12 weeks postpartum)
What are the causes of PPH?
4 Ts- Tone - uterine atony - Trauma - Tissue - retained placenta - Thrombin - clotting/bleeding disorder
What are the risk factors for primary PPH? (7)
PPH in previous pregnancy BMI >35Prolonged labourPre-eclampsia Increased maternal age Emergency C-section PolyhydramniosPlacenta praevia Placenta accreta MacrosomiaProlonged third stage of labourMultiple pregnancy Instrumental delivery
How can PPH be prevented?
Treating anaemia during pregnancy
Giving birth with an empty bladder
Active management of third stage - IM oxytocin during third stage
IV tranexamic acid during C section in high risk patients
How should a patient be stabilised during a PPH?
ABCDE Lie woman flat and keep her warmInsert two large-bore cannulasFBC, U&E and clotting screen Group and cross match 4 units Warmed IV fluid and blood resuscitation Oxygen
What management options are there for stopping bleeding in a PPH?
Mechanical Medical Surgical
What are the mechanical management options for PPH?
Rubbing the uterus through the abdomen - Stimulates contractions
Catheterisation - Prevents bladder distension that prevents uterine contractions
What are the medical management options for PPH?
IV oxytocinIV or IM Ergometrine - stimulates muscle contraction IM carboprost - prostaglandin analogue Sublingual misoprostol - prostaglandin analogue IV tranexamic acid
What are the surgical management options for PPH?
Intrauterine balloon tamponade - presses against the bleeding from the uterus - First line B-lynch suture - a suture around the uterus to compress it Uterine artery ligation Hysterectomy
What is the most likely cause of secondary PPH?
Retained products of conception or infection
What are the investigations for secondary PPH?
Ultrasound for RPOC Endocervical and high vaginal swab for infection
What is the management of secondary PPH?
Surgical evaluation for RPOC Antibiotics for infection
What is the most common cause of PPH?
Uterine atony
What is uterine atony?
Failure of the uterus to contract adequately after childbirth
What is Sheehan’s syndrome?
A complication of PPH where ischaemic necrosis of the anteiror pituary is caused by blood loss
How does Sheehan’s syndrome manifest after a PPH?
HypopituitarismLack of postpartum milk production Amenorrhoea
What is shoulder dystocia?
Where the anterior fetal shoulder becomes lodged behind the maternal pubic symphysis following delivery of the fetal head
What are the risk factors for shoulder dystocia? (5)
Maternal gestational diabetesMacrosomia Birth weight > 4kg Advanced maternal ageMaternal short stature Maternal obesity Post dates pregnancy
What are the features of shoulder dystocia?
Difficulty delivering the face and head Failure of restitution Turtle neck sign Failure of descent of fetal shoulders following delivery of the head
What is failure of restitution?
Where the head remains face downwards after delivery and does not turn sideways as expected
What is the turtle neck sign?
Where the head is delivered but retracts back into the vagina
What is the management of shoulder dystocia?
Immediately call for help McRoberts manoeuvreRubins manoeuvreWood’s screw manoeuvreZavanelli manoeuvre
What is McRoberts manoeuvre?
The maternal hips are hyperflexed and abducted. This provides a posterior pelvic tilt to move the pubic symphysis up and out of the way
What is Rubins manoeuvre?
Rubins manoeuvre involves reaching into the vagina to put pressure onto the posterior aspect of the anterior fetal shoulder. This helps to move the shoulder under the maternal pubic symphysisAn episiotomy may be performed to allow space for internal manoeuvres
What is Wood’s screw manoeuvre?
This is performed during the Rubins manoeuvre. The anterior aspect of the posterior fetal shoulder is pushed in order to rotate the baby and help delivery
What is the Zavanelli manoeuvre?
The baby’s head is pushed back into the vagina so that the baby can be delivered by emergency C section
What are the complications of shoulder dystocia? (4)
Fetal hypoxia (and subsequent cerebral palsy)Brachial plexus injury (and Erb’s palsy)Fetal deathPerineal tears PPHUterine rupture
What is Erb’s palsy?
Paralysis of the arm caused by damage to the C5-C6 nerve roots of the brachial plexus
What is placenta praevia?
A placenta that is lying partly or wholly in the lower uterine segment and is over the internal cervical os
What is a low lying placenta?
A placenta that is within 20mm of the internal cervical os
What are the risk factors for placenta praevia? (4)
Previous C-section - Embryos are more likely to implant on a lower segment section scar Previous placenta praevia Older maternal age Smoking Structural uterine abnormalities e.g fibroidsAssisted conception
What is the presentation of placenta praevia?
Painless vaginal bleeding (usually after 36 weeks, but suspect placenta praevia after 24 weeks)
When is placenta praevia usually picked up?
At the 20 week anomaly scan
How should placenta praevia be monitored?
Repeat transvaginal ultrasound at:- 32 weeks - 36 weeks
What does placenta praevia increase the risk of? (5)
Emergency caesarean section Antepartum haemorrhage Emergency hysterectomy Maternal anaemia Preterm birth Low birthweight Stillbirth
What are the different grades of placenta praevia?
Grade 1 - placenta is in the lower uterine segment, but has not reached the internal os Grade 2 - the placenta is reaching, but not covering the internal os Grade 3 - the placenta is partially covering the internal os Grade 4 - the placenta is completely covering the internal os
What is the management of placenta praevia?
Steroids given between 34 and 35+6 weeks gestation Give advice about pelvic rest - no penetrative sexPlanned caesarean considered between 36 and 37 weeks Emergency C section if antenatal bleeding or premature labour
What is the management of bleeding with an unknown placental position?
ABCDE approach Urgent transvaginal ultrasound If bleeding is not controlled, emergency C section required
What is the investigation of choice to exclude placenta praevia?
Transvaginal ultrasound
What is the management of placenta praevia in a woman in labour?
Caesarean section
Up to what gestation can termination of pregnancy occur?
Up to 24 weeks
What are the criteria for abortion?
An abortion can take place if gestational age is before 24 weeks, and if continuation of the pregnancy would cause risk to the physical or mental health of the mother
When can an abortion be performed at any time during pregnancy?
If the mother’s life is at risk If terminating the pregnancy will prevent ‘grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the mother If there is substantial risk that the child will suffer from serious mental or physical abnormalities
What is the process of a medical abortion?
Mifepristone Misoprostol given 1-2 days laterTest pregnancy 3 weeks later to confirm pregnancy has ended
What is mifepristone?
An anti-progesten
What is misopristol?
A prostaglandin analogue
What are the surgical options for abortion?
Cervical dilation and suction of the contents of the uterus (up to 14 weeks)Cervical dilation and evacuation using forceps (14-24 weeks)
How long may a pregnancy test be positive for following termination?
4 weeks
When should women be given rhesus D at termination?
When they are rhesus negative and having a termination after 10 weeks gestation
What is the placenta accreta spectrum?
Where the placenta implants into and past the endometrium, making it difficult to separate the placenta after delivery of the baby
What is placenta accreta?
Where the placenta implants into the surface of the endometrium
What is placenta increta?
Where the placenta implants deeply into the myometrium
What is placenta percreta?
Where the placenta implants past the myometrium and perimetrium, and can reach organs such as the bladder
What are the risk factors for placenta accreta? (5)
Previous placenta accreta
Previous endometrial curettage procedures
Previous C section
Multigravida
Increased maternal age
Placenta praevia
Uterine structural defects
What is the endometrium?
The inner layer of the uterine wall that contains connective tissue, epithelial cells and blood vessels
What is the myometrium?
The middle layer of the uterine wall that contains smooth muscle
What is the perimetrium?
The outer layer of the uterine wall, which is a serous membrane similar to the peritoneum
How is placenta accreta diagnosed?
Antenatal ultrasoundMRI scan to assess depth and width of invasion
When is delivery planned for women with placenta accreta?
Between 35 and 36+6 gestation
What are the management options for placenta accreta during C section delivery?
Hysterectomy Uterus preserving surgery - Resection of part of the myometrium alongside the placentaExpectant management - Leaving the placenta to be absorbed over time
What is placental abruption?
Where the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus during pregnancy
What are the risk factors for placental abruption? (6)
Previous placental abruption Pre-eclampsia Bleeding early in pregnancy TraumaMultiple pregnancy Fetal growth restrictionMultigravidaIncreased maternal ageSmoking
What is the presentation of placental abruption?
Sudden onset of severe continuous abdominal painVaginal bleeding ShockAbnormalities on CTG indicating fetal distress’Woody’ abdomen on palpation
What is concealed abruption?
Where the cervical os remains closed, and so bleeding is contained with the uterine cavity
What is the general management of placental abruption?
Haemorrhage protocol:- Involve seniors and anaethetist - 2x grey cannula- FBC, U&E, LFTs, coagulation studies- Crossmatch 4 units of blood- Fluid and blood resuscitation as required- CTG monitoring of fetus
What are the differentials of placental abruption? (4)
Preterm labour Placenta praeviaChorioamnionitis UTI Degeneration of uterine fibroidsAcute appendicitis
What is the management of placental abruption at less than 36 weeks?
If fetal distress - immediate caesarean No fetal distress - administer steroids and observe
What is the management of placental abruption after 36 weeks?
If fetal distress - immediate caesarean No fetal distress - delivery vaginally
What BMI is defined as obese during antenatal appointments?
30
What are the maternal risks of obesity during pregnancy? (5)
Miscarriage
VTE
Gestational diabetes
Pre-eclampsia
Dysfunctional labour
PPH
Wound infections
What are the fetal risks of obesity during pregnancy?
Macrosomia Congenital abnormalitiesPrematurityStillbirth Obesity and metabolic disorders during childhoodNeonatal death
What is the advice regarding weight loss for obese women during pregnancy?
Women should not try to lose weight by dieting - medical professionals will manage the risk
How much folic acid should obese women take during pregnancy?
5mg per day (instead of 400mcg)
What is the additional management of obesity in pregnancy?
Obese women should be offered a OGTT at 24-28 weeksBMI > 35 should give birth in a consultant led unit BMI > 40 should have an antenatal consultation with an obstetric anaethetist
What is the first stage of labour?
From the onset of labour to up to 10cm dilated
What is the second stage of labour?
From 10cm cervical dilation up to the delivery of the baby
What is the third stage of labour?
From delivery of the baby until delivery of the placenta
What is the latent phase of the first stage of labour?
Up to 3cm cervical dilation Irregular contraction Progresses at 0.5cm per hour
What is the active phase of the first stage of labour?
From 3cm to 7cm cervical dilationRegular contractions Progresses at 1cm per hour
What is the transition phase of the first stage of labour?
From 7 to 10cm cervical dilation Strong regular contractions Progresses at 1cm per hour
What are Braxton-Hicks contractions?
Occassional irregular contractions that can be felt during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. They do not progress or become regular
What are the signs of labour?
Mucus plug from the cervixRupture of membranes Regular, painful contractions Dilating cervix on examination
What is rupture of membranes (ROM)?
When the amniotic sac has ruptured
What is spontaneous ROM?
The amniotic sac has ruptured spontaneously
What is pre-labour ROM?
The amniotic sac has ruptured before the onset of labour
What is preterm pre-labour ROM?
The amniotic sac has ruptured before the onset of labour and before 37 weeks gestation