OBSTETRICS TO DO Flashcards
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
Where is the most common site for an ectopic?
What is the most common site for a ruptured ectopic?
- Ampulla
- Isthmus
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
What is expectant management?
What are the indications?
What indicates that it has worked?
- Effectively do nothing
- Clinically stable (no Sx), ectopic <35mm, no heartbeat, serum hCG <1000IU/L (consider up to 1500) + able to return for follow up
- Serum hCG days 2, 4 + 7 (drop ≥15% then repeat weekly until negative)
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
What is medical management?
What are the indications?
What indicates that it has worked?
- Single dose IM 50mg/m^2 methotrexate
- No significant pain, unruptured ectopic <35mm, no heartbeat, serum hCG <1500 (consider up to 5000IU/L) + able to return for follow up
- hCG levels at days 4 + 7 then weekly, <15% fall = ?another dose
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
What are the requirements for methotrexate management?
What are some side effects?
- Satisfactory liver + renal functions
- Teratogenic so effective contraception for 3m
- Conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, abdo pain + stomatitis
MISCARRIAGE
What are some other causes of miscarriage?
- PCOS
- TORCH infections
- Iatrogenic (amniocentesis, CVS)
- Smoking, substance abuse
MISCARRIAGE
What are some causes of recurrent miscarriage?
- Antiphospholipid syndrome
- Hereditary thrombophilias (Factor V leiden deficiency, factor II prothrombin gene mutation, protein C/S deficiency)
- Uterine abnormalities (uterine septate, fibroids)
- Poor controlled chronic conditions (DM, thyroid, SLE)
MISCARRIAGE
What are the investigations for recurrent miscarriage?
≥3 1st trimester, ≥1 in 2nd –
- Lupus anticoagulant, anti-cardiolipin + phospholipid antibodies
- Thrombophilia screen
- Pelvic USS for structural issues
- Cytogenic analysis of POC after 3rd miscarriage
- Parental blood for karyotyping
TERMINATING PREGNANCY
What is the legal framework for terminating pregnancies?
- 1967 Abortion Act (+ 1990 amendment which reduced gestation from 28 to 24w)
ANTENATAL SCREENING
What results indicate higher risk for…
i) nuchal translucency?
ii) beta-hCG?
iii) PAPP-A?
What else is taken into account?
i) >6mm
ii) Higher result
iii) Lower result
- Maternal age, USS crown rump length, detection rate 85%
ANTENATAL SCREENING
What results indicate higher risk for…
i) beta-HCG?
ii) AFP?
iii) oestriol?
iv) inhibin?
i) Higher result
ii) Lower result
iii) Lower result
iv) Higher result
ANTENATAL SCREENING
What risk score would warrant further invasive tests?
What are those tests?
- > 1:150 = screen +ve
- Amniocentesis
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
PLACENTAL ABRUPTION
What are the major risk factors for placental abruption?
What are some other risk factors?
- IUGR, pre-eclampsia or pre-existing HTN, maternal smoking + previous abruption
- Cocaine use, multiple pregnancy or high parity, trauma
ADHERED PLACENTA
What are some risk factors for a morbidly adhered placenta?
- Previous c-sections (placenta attaches to site)
- Myomectomy
- Surgical TOP
VASA PRAEVIA
What are some risk factors for vasa praevia?
- Placenta praevia
- Multiple pregnancy
- IVF pregnancy
- Bilobed placentas
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
How can pre-eclampsia be classified?
- Mild-mod = pre-eclampsia without severe HTN (<160/110) and NO Sx, biochemical or haematological impairment
- Severe = pre-eclampsia w/ severe HTN ± Sx ± biochem ± haem impairment
- Early <34w, late >34w
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What is the normal physiology of the placenta?
- Spiral arteries dilate + develop into large utero-placental arteries, supplying lots of blood to the endometrium > placenta + foetus
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What is the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia?
- Spiral arteries do not remodel + dilate but become fibrous so utero-placental arteries deliver less blood > placental ischaemia
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What is the result of placental ischaemia?
- Pro-inflammatory protein + thromboplastin release leads to endothelial damage > vasoconstriction, clotting dysfunction + increased vascular permeability
- Ultimately leads to poor renal perfusion > RAAS activation > HTN, proteinuria ± oedema > pre-eclampsia + eclampsia (if continues)
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What are the…
i) high risk
ii) moderate risk
factors for pre-eclampsia?
i) Pre-existing HTN, previous pre-eclampsia, CKD, autoimmune (SLE, T1DM)
ii) Nulliparity, multiple pregnancy, >10y pregnancy interval, FHx, >40y, BMI >35kg/m^2
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What are the 2 main causes of symptoms in pre-eclampsia?
- Local areas of vasospasm leading to hypoperfusion
- Oedema due to increased vascular permeability + hypoproteinaemia
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What symptoms are caused by local areas of vasospasm and what area is affected?
Renal = glomerular damage (low GFR) –
- Oliguria + proteinuria
Retinal –
- Visual disturbances (blurred, flashing lights, scotoma)
Liver = injury + swelling stretches liver capsule –
- RUQ or epigastric pain
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What are the signs of pre-eclampsia?
- Raised BP + proteinuria are hallmarks
- Rapid weight gain, RUQ tenderness
- Ankle clonus (brisk reflexes normal in pregnancy but not clonus)
- Papilloedema if severe
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What blood investigations would you do in pre-eclampsia?
- FBC with platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- Serum uric acid levels (raised due to renal issues)
- LFTs (elevated liver enzymes ALT + AST)
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What other investigations could you perform in pre-eclampsia?
- Proteinuria on dipstick (++ or +++ is severe)
- Protein:Creatinine ratio (PCR) ≥30ng/nmol = significant proteinuria
- Accurate dating + USS to assess foetal growth
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What are the 2 big complications of pre-eclampsia?
- Eclampsia
- HELLP syndrome
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
What is the criteria for outpatient management of pre-eclampsia?
What care is given?
- BP <160/110, no or low proteinuria (≤+, <0.3g/24h) + no symptoms
- Weekly review of bloods, twice weekly mother + foetal evaluation (HBPM + urine)
- Any changes > hospital
IUGR
What are the two types of IUGR?
- Symmetrical = entire body is proportionately small, tends to be seen in early onset IUGR, TORCH + chromosomal abnormalities
- Asymmetrical = undernourished foetus that is compensating by directing most of its energy to maintain growth of vital organs like brain + heart
IUGR
What might be seen in asymmetrical IUGR?
Head-sparing effect –
- Normal head size but small abdominal circumference + thin limbs
- Mostly secondary to placental insufficiency
IUGR
What is low birth weight?
- Baby born with a weight <2.5kg (regardless of gestational age)
IUGR
What are the 3 broad categories causing IUGR?
- Placental insufficiency (most common cause)
- Maternal factors
- Foetal factors
IUGR
What are some placental causes of IUGR?
- Abnormal trophoblast invasion (pre-eclampsia, placenta accreta)
- Infarction, abruption, location (praevia)
IUGR
What are some maternal causes of IUGR?
- Chronic disease (HTN, cardiac, CKD)
- Substance abuse (cocaine, alcohol) smoking, previous SGA baby
- Autoimmune
- Low socioeconomic status
- > 40
IUGR
What are some complications of IUGR?
- Hypoglycaemia
- Risk of necrotising enterocolitis
- Neonatal jaundice
- Hypothermia
- Respiratory issues
- Long-term sequelae include T2DM, HTN, obesity, behavioural problems, CP
IUGR
What causes…
i) hypoglycaemia?
ii) necrotising enterocolitis?
iii) neonatal jaundice?
i) Blood directed away from liver>brain so glycogen stores don’t develop adequately
ii) Reduced blood to bowel
iii) Compensatory polycythaemia for reduced oxygen supply from mother if reduced placental perfusion
IUGR
What causes…
i) hypothermia?
ii) respiratory problems?
i) No fat stores developed so cannot thermoregulate, large surface area
ii) Kidney hypoperfusion > decreased urine output > oligohydramnios > inadequate lung development
IUGR
What are the investigations for IUGR?
- BP + urine dipstick (?pre-eclampsia)
- Karyotyping (?foetal)
- Infection screen, TORCH (?infection)
IUGR
When would you be concerned about IUGR?
What would you do?
- SFH < 10th centile, slow or static growth or crossing centiles
- Refer for serial growth scans (USS) every 2w, umbilical artery doppler + amniotic fluid volume
- MCA doppler performed after 32w
OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS
What are some causes of oligohydramnios?
- PROM or SROM
- Renal agenesis (Potter’s syndrome) or non-functional kidneys
- Placental insufficiency (pre-eclampsia, post-term gestation) as blood redistributed to brain so reduced urine output
- Genetic anomalies
- Obstructive uropathy
POLYHYDRAMNIOS
What are the causes of polyhydramnios?
- Increased foetal urine production (maternal DM), twin-twin transfusion, foetal hydrops
- Foetal inability to swallow/absorb amniotic fluid (GI tract obstruction e.g. duodenal atresia, foetal neuro/muscular issues)
RHESUS DISEASE
What is the pathophysiology of rhesus disease in the first pregnancy?
- Rh-ve woman exposed to Rh+ve foetal blood, her immune system recognises as foreign + produce antibodies against rhesus D (sensitisation)
- Usually no issues in 1st pregnancy as IgM produced that cannot cross placenta
RHESUS DISEASE
What is the pathophysiology of rhesus disease in subsequent pregnancies?
- Memory cells produce IgG which can cross placenta so if Rh+ve foetus will attack leading to haemolysis (haemolytic disease of newborn) with jaundice + hydrops fetalis (abnormal accumulation of fluid)
GESTATIONAL DIABETES
What are some anti-insulin hormones produced by the placenta?
- Main one is human placental lactogen (hPL)
- Also glucagon + cortisol
OBSTETRIC CHOLESTASIS
Why can clotting be deranged in obstetric cholestasis?
- Bile acids important for fat soluble vitamin absorption like vitamin K
OBSTETRIC CHOLESTASIS
What are the complications of obstetric cholestasis?
- Maternal = vitamin K deficiency (may lead to PPH)
- Foetal = stillbirth (#1), increased risk of prematurity (often iatrogenic)
INFECTIONS + PREGNANCY
What are the risks of Varicella zoster?
- Maternal risk = 5x greater risk of pneumonitis
- Foetal varicella syndrome = skin scarring, microphthalmia, limb hypoplasia, microcephaly + learning difficulties
ANAEMIA + PREGNANCY
What are the complications of iron deficiency anaemia?
How is it managed?
- LBW + preterm delivery
- Ferrous sulfate 200mg TDS
- If not anaemic but low ferritin indicating iron stores then start them on it
- Vitamin C can increase absorption of iron
ANAEMIA + PREGNANCY
What is the management of macrocytic anaemias?
- Pernicious = IM hydroxocobalamin
- B12 deficiency = B12 tablets (cyanocobalamin)
- Folate = increased from 400mcg to 5mg/day to reduce NTD.
PROM
What are some risk factors for (P)PROM?
- Previous PROM/preterm
- Smoking
- Polyhydramnios
- Amniocentesis
STAGES OF LABOUR
What are 7 important hormones in labour?
- Prostaglandins
- Oxytocin
- Oestrogen
- Beta-endorphins
- Adrenaline
- Prolactin
- Relaxin
STAGES OF LABOUR
What is the first stage of labour?
How is it further divided?
- From onset of labour (true contractions) until the cervix is fully dilated
- Latent phase = from 0–3cm dilation
- Active phase = from 3–10cm
STAGES OF LABOUR
What is the difference between latent and active phase of the first stage of labour?
- Latent: cervix begins to efface, irregular contractions, ‘show’, can last 2–3d (usually 6h)
- Active: stronger, more regular contractions (4:10), cervix continues effacing