Obstetrics Flashcards
Describe the airway changes in pregnancy (3)
- Engorgement and friability of the respiratory tract + mucosal oedema and capillary engorgement of nasal/OP/laryngeal - leads to increased iatrogenic trauma due I+V
- Increased weight and breast size makes laryngoscopy more difficult
- Delayed gastric emptying, increased gastric pressure + gastro-oesophageal incompetence increased risk of aspiration
1 in 250 failed airways
Describe the respiratory changes in pregnancy (4)
- Increased TV and RR secondary to increased oxygen demand
- TV increases at expense of ins. and exp. reserve volume which decrease function residual capacity
- Gravid uterus decreases use of IC muscles
- Diaphragm rises late in pregnancy (thoracostomies should be higher)
Describe circulatory changes in pregnancy (7)
- Gradual increase in SV and HR increase 10-20bpm
- Second trimester CO increased by 40%
- Steady decrease BP in 1st trimester which normal by 3rd
- SVR decreases by 30% = postural hypotension
- Increased plasma volume leads to dilutional aneamia
- Aortovacal compression by late second trimester
- Blood diverted away from uterus during haemorrhage which means up to 35% circulating volume can be lost without tachycardia
Where should IOs be sited in pregnancy?
Humeral
Which antibiotics are c/i in pregnancy?
Trimethoprim and tetracyclines (doxy)
When should NSAIDs be avoided in pregnancy?
3rd trimester
Which opiate is preferred in pregnancy?
DH118
What anti-hypertensives should be avoided in pregnancy?
Ace inhib/ ARBS
Which anti-epileptics should be avoided in pregnancy?
Sodium valporate
When are pregnant women at increased risk of aortic dissection?
3rd trimester
What is the increased risk of ACS in pregnancy?
3-4 x
What is posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)?
- 3rd trimester headache, with pre-eclampsia
- headaches/seizures/corticul blindness
- vasogenic brain oedema
How do you treat Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)? (2)
- Anti-hypertensives
- Magnesium
What is Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS)?
Post partum headache
Severe HTN and thunderclap headache
Multifocal segmental cerebral artery vasoconstriction
How do you treat Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS) ?
Nimodopine
What is HELLP syndome?
Haemolysis
Elevated Liver enzyems
Low Platelets
Which women with bleeding in pregancy should get anti-resus D and at what dose?
- All
- 250 IU if < 20 weeks
- 500 IU if > 20 weeks
What is the Kleihauer test?
Gives indication of feto-maternal haemmorhage
In gestational HTN over what value should we aim for and what value should we admit for?
- Less than 135/85
- Over 160/110
What is 1st, 2nd and 3rd line for gestational HTN?
- Labetalol PO 1st
- Nifedipine PO 2nd line
- Methyldopa PO 3rd line
What are the diagnostic criteria for pre-eclampsia?
2 of the following:
1. BP >140/90
2. Proteinurea (++ protein)
3. Oedema
What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia? (5)
- Frontal headache
- RUQ pain
- Visual symptoms
- Oedema
- N/v
What are the signs/symptoms of severe pre-eclampsia? (6)
- Ongoing headache
- Visual schotomata
- Epigastric pain
- Oliguria
- Progressive worsening biochem
- BP >160/110
What signs suggest pre-eclamptic patients are moving towards eclampsia? (3)
- Confusion
- Tremor/twitching
- Hyper-reflexia
What is the medical management of eclampsia (3)
- 4 g Mg2+ IV 5-15 mins followed by:
- 1g/hr for 24hours
1g = 4mmol
If a patient has a further seizure whilst on treatment for eclampsia what should be done medically? (2)
- Further 2-4g IV magnesium
- Extend infusion 1g/hr for further 24hours
What anti-hypertensive should be used in eclampsia? (3)
- Labetalol (PO/IV)
- Nifedipine (PO)
- Hydralazine (IV)
What is the definitive management of eclampsia?
Delivery
What is placental abruption?
Premature separation of placenta
What are the risk factors for placental abruption? (6)
- Pre-eclampsia
- Previous abruption
- Trauma
- Smoking
- Cocaine
- Multi-parous
What can placental abruption lead to? (3)
- Concealed haemorrhage
- DIC
- Labour
What is placenta praevia?
Placenta partly/completely lies over lower uterine segment + os
What are risk factors for placenta praevia? (5)
- Over 35 years
- Increased parity
- Previous placenta praevia
- Twins
- Uterine abnormalities including previous c-section
How does placenta praevia present?
Painless, bright red bleeding in 3 rd trimester
What is the treatment of placenta praevia?
C-section
What is vasa praevia?
Abnormal fetal blood vessels attach to membranes over cervical os below presenting fetal part
How does vasa praevia present?
Rupture of membranes with massive bleeding which can lead to fetal exsanguination
What should you give a mother following delivery of baby?
Oxytocin 5U IM + ergometrine 500mcg IM (unless maternal HTN)
What is the Brandt-Andrews technique?
To remove placenta - given pull on cord whilst exerting upward pressure on uterus to prevent inversion
When should magnesium be given in pre-eclampsia?
Any of the severe features
- Ongoing or recurring severe headaches
- Visual schotomata
When does JRCALC recommend time critical transfer in imminent birth?
Failure to progress after 10 mins
When does JRCALC recommend time critical transfer in third stage of labour?
Placenta still in situ after 20 mins
How long does JRCALC recommend delaying cord clamping?
At least 60 seconds whilst assessing baby and keeping warm
What questions should we ask a pregnant patient in our history? (9)
- Number of weeks
- Single or multiple pregnancy
- Parity
- Complications (current or previous pregnancies)
- Bleeding
- Waters broken and what colour
- Safeguarding
- Midwife
- Hopsital notes
What does JRCALC define as imminent birth?
Regular contractions 1-2 mins intervals
AND one of:
- urge to push or bear down
- head visible and advancing
If birth becomes imminent during transport to hospital what should be done?
Pull over and deliver
What is ‘crowning’ ?
Visible head and doesn’t slip back between contractions