Obstetrics & Gynaecology Flashcards
List the functions of oestrogen
Development of internal/external genitalia, breasts, female fat distribution.
Follicle growth, endometrial proliferation, increase myometrial excitability.
Upregulates oestrogen, LH, progesterone receptors
Feedback inhibition of FSH and LH, then LH surge
Stimulates prolactin secretion
Decreases prolactin action on breasts.
Increase transport proteins, serum hormone binding globulin, increase HDL, reduce LDL.
List the physiological changes in pregnancy
Haematology
* Increased plasma volume by 50%
* Increased fibrinogen by 50%
* Increased clotting factors VII, IX, X
* Decreased platelets
* Decreased haemoglobin
* Venous stasis
Respiratory
* Increased oxygen consumption by 20%
* Increased minute ventilation by 40~50% (via increased tidal volume)
* Increased PO2
* Decreased PCO2
* Decreased forced vital capacity by third trimester
Cardiac
* Increased cardiac output by 40%
* Increased stroke volume
* Increased heart rate by 10-20 bpm
* Decreased blood pressure in the first and second trimesters
* Decreased systemic vascular resistance by 25~30%
* Decreased serum colloid osmotic pressure by 10~15%
Renal
* Increased renal blood flow by 60~80%
* Increased glomerular filtration rate
* Increased protein excretion up to 300mg/24h
* Decreased serum creatinine
* Glycosuria
* Physiological hydronephrosis
Gastroenterology
* Decreased gut motility
* Increased alkaline phosphate
* Decreased albumin by 20~40%
Endocrine
* Impaired glucose tolerance
* Insulin resistance
* Increased prolactin
* Increased cortisol
* Increased renin, angiotensin, aldosterone
General
* Fatigue
* Weight gain
* Nausea/vomiting
* Constipation
* Breathlessness
* Palpitations
* Ankle oedema
Skin
* Palmar erythema
* Dry skin
* Telangiectasia
* Pruritus
List the functions of progesterone during the luteal phase
(Prepares uterus for implantation)
Stimulates endometrial glandular secretions and spiral artery development
Increases thick cervical mucus and inhibits sperm entry into uterus
Prevents endometrial hyperplasia
Increases body temperature
Decreases oestrogen receptor expression
Decreases gonadotropin (LH, FSH) secretion
List the functions of progesterone during pregnancy
Maintains endometrial lining and pregnancy
Reduce myometrial excitability, thus reduce contraction, frequency and intensity
Reduce prolactin action on breasts
List the oestrogen synthesis pathway from cholesterol
Cholesterol
Pregnenolone
Progesterone
17a-Hydroxypregnenolone
17a-Hydroxyprogesterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Androstenedione
Testosterone
Estrone, beta-Estradiol
Estriol
List the functions of FSH
Stimulates follicular growth and development.
Binds exclusively to granulosa cells in the growing follicle.
Stimulates receptors for LH.
The granulosa cells produce oestrogen, feedbacks on the pituitary to suppress FSH
Only the dominant follicle will get enough FSH to continue development.
List the functions of LH
Stimulates ovulation
Reactivation of meiosis I
Sustains corpus luteum development
What is prolactin release stimulated by
Oestrogen
Phenothiazine
Reserpine
Methyltyrosine
What is prolactin release inhibited by
Dopamine
Bromocriptine
Cabergoline
What is the effect of hyperprolactinemia on ovulation
Hyperprolactinemia prevents ovulation by an inhibitory effect on hypothalamic GnRH production and release.
Important cause of secondary amenorrhoea and infertility.
List the three stages of labour
First stage
Regular painful contractions until cervix fully dilates and no longer palpable.
* Slow latent phase - the cervix becomes effaced and shortens from 3 cm in length and dilates up to 5 cm.
- <20 hrs in nulliparous, <14 hrs in multiparous
* Active phase - the cervix dilates from 5cm to full dilatation 10cm.
- 1.2 cm/hr in nulliparous, 1.5 cm/hr in multiparous
Second stage
From full cervical dilatation to delivery of the foetus.
* Pelvic (passive) phase - head descends in the pelvis
* Perineal (active) phase - mother gets a stronger urge to push and the fetus is delivered with the force of the uterine contractions and the maternal bearing-down effort
Third stage
From the delivery of the newborn to delivery of the placenta and membranes.
List the clinical signs of the onset of labour
Regular, painful uterine contractions that increase in frequency, duration and intensity.
Passage of blood-stained mucus from the cervix (show)
Rupture of the foetal membranes
Give the definition for pre-labour rupture of membranes
Latent period between rupture of membranes to onset of painful uterine contractions more than 4 hours
List the hormonal changes during initiation of labour
Progesterone withdrawal
Increase in oestrogen and prostaglandin action
Increased foetal cortisol
Increased local activity of prostaglandins
List the mechanisms of labour
Engagement
Descent
Flexion
Internal rotation
Extension
External rotation
Expulsion
List the mechanisms of the third stage of labour
(A) separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
(B) expulsion into the lower uterine segment and upper vagina
(C) complete expulsion of the placenta and membranes from the genital tract
List the signs of placental separation
trickling of bright blood
lengthening of the umbilical cord
elevation of the uterine fundus within the abdominal cavity
When is third stage considered abnormal
If the placenta is not expelled within 30 minutes
When does preterm labour occur?
Between 24 and 37 weeks gestation.
Give the classification for premature labour
Moderate to late preterm: 32~37 weeks’ gestation
Very preterm: 28 weeks’ to <32 weeks’ gestation
Extremely preterm: <28 weeks’ gestation.
List the causes for preterm labour
Antepartum haemorrhage
Multiple pregnancy
Infection
Polyhydramnios
Socioeconomic
Give the risk factor for PPROM
Infection
* Group B haemolytic streptococci
* C. trachomatis
* Bacterial vaginosis
List the management for PPROM
Antibiotics - erythromycin for 10 days after diagnosis of PPROM
Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis
Antenatal corticosteroids - dexamethasone
Magnesium sulfate (Neuroprotection)
Prophylactic tocolysis - Nifedipine
Give the presentation for PPROM
Sudden loss of amniotic fluid from vagina
Nitrazine-positive (blue) fluid
Ferning on microscopy