Obstetrics - Management Flashcards
Management of major PPH
- Call for help (midwife in charge, obstetric + anaesthetic staff, haematology consultants, blood transfusion laboratory, porters)
ABC
O2 by mask, 10-15l
IV access with 2x14-g cannulae
Take bloods: cross-match 4 units of blood minimum, FBC (to check for DIC), baseline U+E and LFTs, coagulation screen
Keep woman laying flat + warm
IVF until blood transfusion available
ASAP - O-, Rh-, K-negative blood then switch to group specific ASAP
Until blood is available, transfuse up to 3.5L of crystalloid fluids STAT
Stop the bleeding
o Establish cause + exclude other causes than uterine atony
o If the cause is uterine atony
Bimanual uterine compression
Foley catheter, leave in place
• These two bullet points are the first line management of PPH
Oxytocin 5 units slow IV
Ergometrine 0.6mg slow IV or IM (unless there is a hx of HTN or asthma)
Oxytocin infusion, 40iu in 500ml isotonic crystalloids at 125ml/h (unless fluid restriction is necessary)
Carboprost 0.25mg IM repeated at intervals of not less than 15 mins to a maximum of 8 doses (unless there is a hx of asthma)
Misoprostol 800 μg sublingually (low resource settings)
Heat stable carbetocin
o Surgical options – If pharmacological measures fail
Intrauterine Balloon tamponade
• First line where uterine atony is the only/main cause of haemorrhage
Haemostatic brace suturing e.g. the B-Lynch compression suture
Bilateral ligation of uterine arteries
Bilateral ligation of the internal iliac arteries
Selective arterial embolization
Hysterectomy – considered early, esp. in cases of placenta accrete or uterine rupture
Management of minor PPH
- Call for help (midwife in charge, obstetric + anaesthetic staff)
- IV access with a 14-g cannula
- Commence warmed crystalloid infusion
o Urgent venepuncture (20ml) for
Group and screen
FBC
Coagulation screen incl. fibrinogen
o Monitor pulse, BP, RR every 15 mins
What needs to be monitored during a major PPH?
o Continuous monitoring of pulse (ECG), BP (automate BP recording), RR (oximeter), UO (foley catheter)
o Temperature monitoring every 15 mins
o Consider arterial line monitoring + ITU transfer
o Record all parameters on flow chart – e.g. MEOWS chart (modified obstetric early warning system)
o Document fluid balance, blood, blood products, procedures
Where is ergometrine used?
Contraindications?
Used in the management of PPH
unless there is a hx of HTN or asthma
Where is carboprost used?
Contraindications?
Used in the management of PPH
unless there is a hx of asthma
Is there a place for prophylactic oxytocics? When should they be used?
• Prophylactic oxytocics should be routinely used in the 3rd stage of labour
o Vaginal birth – 10 IU IM oxytocin
o Caesarean section – 5 IU slow IV oxytocin (+tranexamic acid 0.5-1.0g)
During PPH when do you transfuse….
FFP
Cryoprecipitate
Platelets
FFP
• If no haemostatic results are available…
o +bleeding is continuing, after 4U of RBC, infuse FFP at a dose 12-15ml/kg/ 4U of FFP
o Early FFP should be considered for conditions with suspected coagulopathy (e.g. placental abruption, amniotic fluid embolism) or where detection of PPH has been delayed
• If PTT/APTT is >1.5x normal + haemorrhage is ongoing - volumes of FFP in excess of 15 ml/kg are needed to correct coagulopathy
Cryoprecipitate
• Plasma fibrinogen level >2g/l should be maintained during ongoing PPH
• Cryoprecipitate should be used for fibrinogen replacement if haemorrhage is ongoing and plasma fibrinogen <2g/l
Platelets
• Should be transfused if haemorrhage is ongoing and when the platelet count is <75 x 10^9/l
Management of secondary PPH
- Iron supplement if Hb has fallen – warn of the risk of constipation
- Assess vaginal microbiology (high vaginal + endocervical swabs)
Clot present on speculum examination
• Remove with tissue forceps, allowing the cervix to close
RPOC
• Elective curettage with abx cover
Endometritis:
• Abx IV or PO
• Sepsis following pregnancy - IV piperacillin/tanzobactim
o Other options for less severe infections – co-amoxiclav, metronidazole, gentamicin
• Severe sepsis following pregnancy - carbapenem + clindamycin
Suspicion of sepsis – urgent hospital referral if red flag signs • Pyrexia >38 • Sustained tachycardia (>90 bpm) • Increased RR (>20 breaths per minute) • Abdominal or chest pain • D +/or V • Uterine/renal angle pain + tenderness • Woman unwell or anxious/distressed
When should you admit someone with hyperemesis gravidarum?
Admission criteria for hyperemesis gravidarum
- Unable to keep down fluids/oral antiemetics
- Ketonuria
- Wright loss >5%
- Co-morbidity (i.e. diabetes) – lower threshold for admission
How do you treat mild/moderate nausea + vomiting in pregnancy / hyperemesis gravidarum?
- KCl
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- VTE
Conservative – without volume depletion
• Diet modification
o Smaller more frequent meals
o Avoid smells and food textures that cause nausea
o Bland-tasting foods, high in carbohydrate, low in fat
- Emotional support
- Ginger- PO 250mg TIDS
- Acupressure
Management of severe cases of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy/ hyperemesis gravidarum
• Oral antihistamines or phenothiazines (1st line) or anti-emetics (2nd line)
o Meclozine or dimenhydrinate or diphenhydramine (oral antihistamines), chlorpromazine or prochlorperazine or promethazine (phenothiazines)
o Metoclopramide or domperidone (dopamine antagonist anti-emetics), ondansetron
• Corticosteroids (3rd line)
o IV hydrocortisone, BD, 100mg (convert to PO when capable)
With volume depletion
• IV hydration
o IV normal saline + KCl + thiamine (vitamin B1) supplementation
o IVF to a) replace the calculated deficit, b) ongoing losses, c) daily fluid maintenance
• Parenteral or rectal anti-emetics
• Nutritional supplementation
o Some patients may require TPN to provide calories and replace electrolytes and nutrients
Other
• Thromboprophylaxis - prophylactic LMWH
• Vitamin supplements
o Thiamine supplements given routinely to all pregnant women admitted to hospital as a result of prolonged vomiting
Summary - Severe cases • Hospitalisation • Anti-histamines or Anti-emetics • IVF • LMWH • Corticosteroids • TPN
Medications used in hyperemesis gravidarum - list some of their side effects
Medication SE • Metoclopramide • metoclopramide + phenothiazines • Ondansetron • Domperidone • Corticosteroids
• Metoclopramide
o < 5 days in order to minimise the risk of neurological and other adverse effects
o used as second line therapy because of EPS
• metoclopramide + phenothiazines
o drug induced EPS
o Oculogyric crises
• Ondansetron
o Increased risk of cleft palate if used during the first trimester
o Limit use of ondansetron during the first trimester
o Should be used as second line due to unknown effects in pregnancy
o Still consider it as an option for patients with severe vomiting in pregnancy in whom first-line treatments have failed
• Domperidone
o should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration
o maximum treatment should not exceed 1 week
o new maximum dose recommended in adults is 30mg/day
o Life-threatening effects on the heart
o Contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment or underlying cardiac disease
o Should not be administered with other drugs that prolong the QR interval or inhibit CYP3A4
• Corticosteroids
o Should be considered after the first trimester
o Use in first trimester – associated with cleft palate
o Should be reserved for cases where standard therapies have failed
Management of chronic hypertension in pregnancy
Chronic hypertension • Offer antihypertensive treatment to pregnant women who have chronic HTN and who are not already on treatment if they have o Sustained SBP >140mmHg o Sustained DBP >90 mmHg • Target = 135/85 mmHg
• Medication
o Labetalol (NOT in asthmatics)
Nifedipine if labetalol is not suitable (Asthmatics)
Methyldopa if labetalol or nifedipine are not suitable
o ASPIRIN 75-150 mg OD from 12 weeks until birth of baby
- appointments every 2 to 4 weeks if hypertension is well-controlled.
- Carry out fetal monitoring (ultrasound for fetal growth and amniotic fluid volume assessment, and umbilical artery doppler velocimetry) at 28, 32, 36 weeks only
• Offer PIGF-based testing to rule out pre-eclampsia between 20 weeks up to 35 weeks of pregnancy, if women with chronic hypertension are suspected of developing pre-eclampsia
• Postpartum mx of women with chronic hypertension
o Aim to keep BP <140/90mmHg
o Continue antihypertensive tx if required + rw 2 weeks postpartum
o BP monitoring – OD for the first 2 days, at least once bn day 3 + 5
o Medical rw 6-8 weeks after birth
o If on methyldopa during pregnancy, stop within 2 days after birth + change to an alternative antihypertensive treatment
Gestational hypertension mx
• Labetalol (NOT in asthamtics)
o Nifedipine for women in whom labetalol is not suitable (asthmatics)
o Methyldopa if labetalol or nifedipine are not suitable
• Aim to deliver after 37 weeks’ gestation
• Postpartum
o BP monitoring – OD for the first 2 days, at least once bn day 3 + 5
o Continue antihypertensive treatment if required + rw 2 weeks postpartum
o Reduce antihypertensive treatment if their BP falls below 130/80mmHg
o If on methyldopa during pregnancy, stop within 2 days after birth + change to an alternative antihypertensive treatment
o For women with gestational HTN who did not take antihypertensive treatment + have given birth, start antihypertensive treatment if their BP is 150/100mmHg or higher
o Medical rw 6-8 weeks after birth
Management of mild-moderate gestational hypertension
What is considered mild/moderate gestational hypertension?
How often should BP be monitored?
What investigations need to be carried out?
How should it be managed?
Mild = 140-149/90-99 Moderate = 150-159/100-109
BP monitoring
1-2/7 until BP is 135/85mmHg or less
Other investigations
• At presentation then weekly – FBC, LFTs, U+Es
• 1-2/7 dipstick proteinuria testing
• PIGF-based testing on 1 occasion if there is suspicion or pre-eclampsia
• Offer fetal heart auscultation at every antenatal appointment
• USS assessment of fetus at dx, If normal repeat every 2-4/52
o USS for fetal growth
o Amniotic fluid volume assessment
o Umbilical artery doppler
• CTG only if clinically indicated
Management
Do not routinely admit to hospital
Offer pharmacological tx if BP remains >140/90mmHg
Labetalol (alternatives: methyldopa, nifedipine)
Aim for BP of 135/85mmHg or less
Labetalol – 1st line (CI in asthma)
Nifedipine – 2nd line
Methyldopa – 3rd line
Management of severe gestational hypertension
What is considered severe gestational hypertension?
How often should BP be monitored?
What investigations need to be carried out?
How should it be managed?
Severe = >160/110 or mean arterial pressure <160/110
BP monitoring
Every 15-30 mins until BP is <160/110mmHg
Other investigations
• At presentation then weekly – FBC, LFTs, U+Es (renal function, electrolytes)
• Daily dipstick proteinuria testing while admitted
• PIGF-based testing on 1 occasion if there is suspicion or pre-eclampsia
• Offer fetal heart auscultation at every antenatal appointment
• USS assessment of fetus at dx, If normal repeat every 2/52 if severe htn persists
o USS for fetal growth
o Amniotic fluid volume assessment
o Umbilical artery doppler
• CTG at dx and then only if clinically indicated
Management
Admit, but if BP falls below 160/110 mmHg manage as for HTN
Offer pharmacological tx to all women
Labetalol (alternatives: methyldopa, nifedipine)
Aim for BP of 135/85 mmHg or less
Labetalol – 1st line (NOT in asthamtics)
Nifedipine – 2nd line
Methyldopa – 3rd line
Management for the prevention of pre-eclampsia
• 75-100 mg aspirin from 12 weeks of gestation until the birth of the baby
o If at high risk of pre-eclampsia (>=1 high risk factors) or if >=2 moderate RF
o High risk factors HTN disease during previous pregnancy CKD Autoimmune disease e.g. SLE or antiphospholipid syndrome T1 or T2DM Chronic HTN
o Moderate RF First pregnancy Pregnancy interval of >10 years >40 y/o BMI >35kg/m2 at first visit FHx of pre-eclampsia Multiple-fetal pregnancy
• High-dose calcium supplementation (>1g/day)
o May reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth, particularly for women with low Calcium diets
o May be an increased risk of HELLP syndrome with calcium supplementation
o Do not use
NO donors, progesterone, diuretics, LMWH
o Do not recommend salt restriction during pregnancy solely to prevent gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia
Admission criteria for pre-eclapmsia
• Raised BP (>140/90mmHg) with proteinuria >+1
• SBP >160mmHg
• DBP >100mmHg
• Any clinical symptoms or signs of pre-eclampsia/severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia/impending eclampsia
• Suspected fetal compromise
• Any maternal biochemical/haematological investigations that cause concern e.g. new and persistent
o Rise in Cr (>90 micromol/l, >1mg/100ml)
o Rise in alanine transaminase (>70 IU/l or 2x upper limit of normal range)
o Fall in plt count (<150,000/microlitre)
- Patients can be managed conservatively (i.e. without delivery of the baby) until at least 34 weeks, as long as they are haemodynamically stable, without coagulation abnormalities and in the absence of HELLP
- Delivery of the placenta is the only cure for pre-eclampsia
Management of mild-moderate pre-eclampsia
What is considered mild/moderate pre-eclampsia?
How often should BP be monitored?
What investigations need to be carried out?
How should it be managed?
Mild = 140-149/90-99 Moderate = 150-159/100-109
BP monitoring
At least every 48h + more frequently (4x/day) if woman admitted to hospital
Other investigations
• 2/7 – FBC, LFTs, U+Es (renal function, electrolytes)
• Dipstick proteinuria testing – only repeat if clinically indicated (e.g. new symptoms + signs develop, or uncertainty over dx)
• Offer fetal heart auscultation at every antenatal appointment
• USS assessment of fetus at dx, If normal repeat every 2/52
o USS for fetal growth
o Amniotic fluid volume assessment
o Umbilical artery doppler
• CTG at dx and then only if clinically indicated o Change in foetal movement o Abdominal pain o PVB o Maternal deterioration
Management
Admit if any clinical concerns for the wellbeing of the woman or baby or if high adverse events suggested by the fullPIERS or PREP-S risk prediction models*
Offer pharmacological tx if BP remains >140/90mmHg
Labetalol (alternatives: methyldopa, nifedipine)
Aim for BP of 135/85mmHg or less
Labetalol – 1st line (NOT in asthamtics)
Nifedipine – 2nd line
Methyldopa – 3rd line
*Risk prediction models
o FullPIERS or PREP-S to help guide decisions about the most appropriate place of care (e.g. need for in-utero transfer) + thresholds for intervention
o fullPIERS – intended for use at any time during pregnancy
o PREP-S intended for use up to 34 weeks of pregnancy
o fullPIERS and PREP-S models do not predict outcomes for babies
Management of severe pre-eclampsia
What is considered severe pre-eclampsia?
How often should BP be monitored?
What investigations need to be carried out?
How should it be managed?
Severe = >160/110 or mean arterial pressure >125 mmHg
BP monitoring
Every 15-30 mins until BP is <160/110mmHg
Then at least 4x daily while woman in as inpatient
Other investigations
• 3/7 – FBC, LFTs, U+Es (renal function, electrolytes)
• Dipstick proteinuria testing – only repeat if clinically indicated (e.g. new symptoms + signs develop, or uncertainty over dx)
• Offer fetal heart auscultation at every antenatal appointment
• USS assessment of fetus at dx, If normal repeat every 2/52 if severe htn persists
o USS for fetal growth
o Amniotic fluid volume assessment
o Umbilical artery doppler
• CTG at dx and then only if clinically indicated
o Change in foetal movement
o Abdominal pain
o PVB
o Maternal deterioration
Management
Admit, but if BP falls below 160/110 mmHg manage as for HTN
Offer pharmacological tx to all women
Labetalol (alternatives: methyldopa, nifedipine)
Aim for BP of 135/85mmHg or less
Labetalol – 1st line
Nifedipine – 2nd line
Methyldopa – 3rd line
Management of pre-eclampsia
• Labetalol – 1st line (100mg, BD) – contraindicated in asthma
o Nifedipine – 2nd line – used in asthmatics, causes tocolysis (use methyldopa at term)
o Methyldopa – 3rd line (250mg, BD or TDS)
• Consider early birth if
o If inability to control maternal BP despite using 3 or more classes of antihypertensives in appropriate doses
o Maternal oxygen sats <90%
o Progressive deterioration in liver/renal function, haemolysis, platelet count
o Ongoing neurological features – severe intractable headache, repeated visual scotomata, eclampsia
o Placental abruption
o Reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery doppler velocimetry, a non-reassuring cardiotocograph or stillbirth
• If early birth is planned for women with preterm pre-eclampsia (<34 weeks)
o IV MgSO4
o Antenatal corticosteroids
- Between 34-36+6 weeks – continue surveillance unless delivery indicated in care plan
- > 37 weeks – initiate birth within 24-48 hours
Management of severe pre-eclampsia
• Delivery of fetus + placenta is the only cure
• BP
o Antihypertensive treatment started in women with SBP > 160 mmHg or DBP > 110mmHg
o In women with other markers of potentially severe disease, treatment can be considered at lower degrees of HTN
o Use one of the following
Labetalol (PO or IV)
Nifedipine (oral)
Hydralazine (IV)
o Antihypertensive medication should be continued after delivery as dictated by the BP
It may be necessary to maintain treatment for up to 3 months
- ACEi + ARBs - increased risk of congenital abnormalities
- Thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics - increase risk of congenital abnormalities + neonatal complications
• Seizures
o Prevention
Magnesium sulfate (if there is concern about risk of eclampsia)
Given to women with severe pre-eclampsia who are in a critical care setting if birth is planned within 24h
o Fluid restriction
o Up to 80ml/h or 1ml/kh/h
- Delivery
- Between 34-36+6 weeks – continue surveillance unless delivery indicated in care plan
- > 37 weeks – initiate birth within 24-48 hours
o If <34 weeks of gestation + delivery can be deferred – give corticosteroids
After 24 hours the benefits of conservative management should be reassessed
o Measure BP continually during labour
Management of eclampsia
• Resuscitation
o Place patient in left lateral position
o Secure airway
o O2 administration
• Magnesium sulfate (potent cerebral vasodilator) – Treatment + prophylaxis of seizures
o Continue 24h after last seizure or delivery - whichever is later
o Loading dose of 4g IV over 5 mins, followed by infusion of 1g/hour for 24h
o Recurrent seizures -further dose of 2-4g over 5 mins, intubation to protect the airway + ensure adequate oxygenation
o Monitor: UO, reflexes, RR, O2 sats, ECG
• Hypertension
o Reduce severe HTN (BP >160/110 mmHg or mean arterial pressure >125mmHg) – to reduce the risk of CVA + risk of further seizures
o IV labetalol or hydralazine
Both may precipitate fetal distress
Continuous fetal HR monitoring is necessary
• Fluid therapy
o Close monitoring of fluid intake + UO
• Delivery
o Definitive treatment of eclampsia is delivery
o Attempts to prolong pregnancy in order to improve fetal maturity are unlikely to be of value
o Unsafe to deliver the baby of an unstable mother even if there is fetal distress
o Delivery only when – seizures are controlled, severe hypertension is treated, hypoxia is corrected
• Postpartum
o High dependency care should be continued for a minimum of 24h
Pre-eclampsia post partum care
Discharge criteria
BP monitoring Inpatient Outpatient Step down care No anitHTN during pregnancy but have high blood pressure PP Consider reducing treatment
Safe antihypertensive in the postnatal period
• Discharge criteria
o No sx of pre-eclampsia
o Blood pressure <150/100mmHg (with or without treatment)
o Blood test results are stable or improving
- Stop methyldopa (if used) within 2 days
- Continue to ask about headaches + epigastric pain whenever BP is taken
• Measure FBC, LFT, Cr 72h after birth
o Only repeat after this if abnormal
• BP monitoring
o Inpatient = BP at least 4x/daily
o Outpatient = BP every other day until targets achieved, then once weekly
o Monitor weekly + arrange medical review at 2 weeks postpartum if still requiring medication
o Monitor BP until the 6-week check + perform a urine dip at 6 week check + arrange repeat FBC, Cr, LFTs if they have not returned to normal
o Step down care when BP <150/100 mmHg + blood tests are stable/improving without any pre-eclamptic symptoms
o start antihypertensive treatment if BP >=150/100
o Consider reducing BP treatment if BP falls below <140/90 mmHg, reduce if it falls below 130/80mmHg
• HTN during postnatal period
o Enalapril
o Monitor maternal renal function + maternal serum potassium
o If black African/Caribbean - nifedipine or amlodipine
o If BP not well controlled with a single medicine -combination of enalapril + nifedipine or amlodipine
o If combination is not tolerated/ineffective – add atenolol or labetalol to the combination treatment or swap medicines already used for atenolol or labetalol
• Breastfeeding
o Avoid diuretics
o Not recommended when breastfeeding – ARBs, ACEi (except enalapril + captopril), Amlodipine
o Safe drugs – labetalol, nifedipine, enalapril, captopril, atenolol, metoprolol
• Follow up + formal postnatal review – to establish if there is chronic hypertension, proteinuria or liver damage
• Outpatient follow up
o Care plan to include – frequency of BP monitoring, thresholds for reducing/stopping treatment/indications for referral and self-monitoring of symptoms
o Referral follow-up to GP
o Advice: 1 in 5 women will get some recurrence of HTN in future pregnancies