One in the oven Flashcards
What is the definition of obesity?
Obesity describes a person who is very overweight with high body fat.
BMI – A measure of whether healthy weight for height. 18.5 – 24.0 healthy weight. Over 25 – overweight. 30 and above – obese. Weight in kg/[height m]2
How might obesity complicate pregnancy?
- Miscarriage (BMI over 30 25% chance)
- Gestational diabetes – if your BMI is 30 or above, you are 3 times more likely
- High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia
- Blood clots
- The baby’s shoulder becoming “stuck” during labour (shoulder dystocia)
- Post-partum haemorrhage
- Having a baby weighing more than 4kg (8lb 14oz)
- More likely to need an instrumental delivery
- Baby being born early
- Still born
- Higher chance of neural tube defect
What affects the age a woman becomes a mother?
Governed by a number of complex personal, social, professional and life circumstances.
Age at which women first become mothers in the UK continuing to rise.
What are the risks associated with pregnancy of an older woman?
Higher risk of miscarriage due to chromosomal abnormalities
Higher risk of twins or triplets (complications)
Increased risk of gestational diabetes
Increased risk of congenital abnormality like down’s syndrome
Increased risk of pre-eclampsia - possible link with ageing of uterine blood vessels meaning placenta doesn’t develop properly
Increased risk of complications during delivery – prolonged labour, need for assisted delivery, c-section or still birth
How to manage the implications of pregnancy in an older mother?
Individuals should be aware of the recommendations
Have an awareness of the risks of genetic disorders and the screening tests available
A woman’s health should be as optimal as possible prior to pregnancy, which means maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise, limiting alcohol and not smoking.
Ensuring that folic acid and vitamin supplements are taken around the time of conception.
What is pre-eclampsia?
A condition/complication of pregnancy that some women develop, characterised by high blood pressure and protein in urine. Effects up to 6% of pregnancies, severe cases 1-2% pregnancies.
When does pre-eclampsia occur?
Rarely happens before 20 weeks. Most cases from 24-26 weeks, tend to be nearer end of pregnancy. Can also develop post partum up to 6 weeks after birth.
What causes pre-eclampsia?
Specific cause not known – thought to be when problem with placenta
Theory:
Placenta overproduces proteins that inhibit angiogenesis enter maternal circulation, their concentrations rise in circulation weeks to months before pre-eclampsia develops. Lead to high blood pressure, kidney, liver and coagulation abnormalities. Disease not only depends on action of circulating factors from the placenta, but also health of mother including diseases that effect the vasculature – e.g pre existing hyper tension, diabetes, obesity.
What are the risk factors for pre-eclampsia?
Existing medical problem – such as diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome
Previous pre eclampsia – approximately 16% chance
Two or more of the following:
First pregnancy, 10 years since last pregnancy, family history of pre-eclampsia, over age of 40, obese, expecting multiple babies.
What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
Initially causes hypertension and proteinuria
Difficult for mothers to distinguish between pregnancy symptoms and pre-eclampsia
As it progresses - severe headaches, vision problems, nausea or vomiting, pain below ribs, feeling unwell, excessive weight gain due to fluid retention, sudden increase in oedema.
If pre-eclampsia not diagnosed and monitored - severe pre-eclampsia.
Without prompt treatment – serious complications: convulsions (eclampsia), HELLP syndrome, stroke.
What is HELLP syndrome?
A rare liver and blood clotting disorder that can affect pregnant women. H” is for haemolysis – this is where the red blood cells in the blood break down, “EL” is for elevated liver enzymes (proteins) – a high number of enzymes in the liver is a sign of liver damage, “LP” is for low platelet count.
How to manage pre-eclampsia?
At risk: 75mg dose of aspirin daily from 12 weeks pregnant – birth
Treatment for pre-eclampsia focuses on lowering blood pressure and managing the other symptoms.
Mild – managed by frequent antenatal appointments to check blood pressure, proteinuria and other symptoms. Having baby at about the 37th to 38th week of pregnancy is recommended.
Severe pre-eclampsia – admitted to hospital for closer monitoring and treatment – involving monitoring blood pressure, proteinuria, blood tests, ultrasound scans, babies growth rate and heart rate monitored. Treatment in hospital – bed rest, anti-convulsant medication.
Complications can sometimes develop a few days later
What is Gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.
More common in the second or third trimester.
It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Increased thirst, needing to pee more often than usual, a dry mouth, tiredness.
How to determine whether the patient is at risk of gestational diabetes?
During first antenatal appointment around week 8 to 12 of pregnancy the HCP will ask questions to determine whether individual at an increased risk.
If 1 or more risk factors, patient needs oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). It involves having a blood test in the morning, after no food or drink for 8 to 10 hours, then given a glucose drink. After resting for 2 hours, another blood sample is taken to see how your body is dealing with the glucose.
Performed again at 24 and 28 weeks.
What problems can gestational diabetes cause?
Baby growing larger than usual – this may lead to difficulties during the delivery and increases the likelihood of needing induced labour or a caesarean section.
Polyhydramnios – too much amniotic fluid which can cause premature labour or problems at delivery
Premature birth
Pre-eclampsia
Baby developing low blood sugar or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) after he or she is born, which may require treatment in hospital.
What’s the treatment for gestational diabetes?
Aim to control blood sugar levels whether through diet, exercise of medication
It’s best to give birth before 41 weeks. Induction of labour or a caesarean section may be recommended if labour does not start naturally by this time. Earlier delivery if sugar levels not controlled.
What are the different types of birth?
Labour and vaginal delivery Assisted delivery Caesarean section Post C section deliveries Breech and transverse birth Induced birth
What is labour and vaginal delivery?
First stage of labour - contractions that cause the cervix to dilate. It is usually the longest stage.
Second Stage of Labour – cervix is fully dilated to the birth of the baby.
Third Stage of Labour – womb contracting and the placenta being delivered.
What is Assisted delivery?
Involves the use of instrumental device
- Ventouse: An instrument that attaches to the baby’s head by suction. It is a soft or hard plastic or metal cup that is attached by a tube to a suction device (not used before 34 weeks).
- Forceps: smooth metal instrument that looks like a large spoon or tong. They join together by the handles and are carefully positioned around the baby’s head
Usually involves a local anaesthetic to the vaginal area if haven’t already an epidural and can involve an episiotomy.
What is Caesarean section?
Making an incision through the abdomen into the womb to remove the baby.
Can include both planned procedure or emergency procedures if a vaginal birth is thought to be too risky.
Involves a spinal or epidural anaesthetic and the whole procedure usually takes around 40 to 50 minutes.
Recovery is usually longer than a vaginal birth and means that the patient may need to avoid activities such as driving for up to 6 weeks.
What is a Post C section delivery?
VBAC – When a patient gives birth vaginally having previously had a C section in the past this includes normal delivery and assisted deliveries. Fewer complications but may need emergency C section or blood transfusion.
ERCS - An elective repeat caesarean section that takes place after 39 weeks. Advantages of this include smaller risk of uterine scar rupture and also knowing the date of planned birth. Disadvantages include the repeat C section being longer and increased risk of DVT and PE.
What are Breech and transverse births?
Breech baby - baby laying bottom or feet first. If the baby is still in this position at 36 weeks then other delivery options can be discussed. An external cephalic version can be offered and options for a C section can take place.
Transverse birth - baby is lying sideways across the womb. Can lead to hospital admission due to complication with the umbilical cord. A C section delivery is encouraged if the baby in the transverse position nearing the due date or start of labour.
What is an Induced birth?
An artificial start to labour.
Reasons for induction including pre eclampsia, patients being overdue or if the patients waters break more than 24 hours before labour starts.
Usually planned and scheduled in advance.
A membrane sweep can be offered pre induction in an attempt to start labour.
Induction itself is a small pessary or gel inserted into the vagina to kick start labour and can sometimes be included with an oxytocin drip in order to speed up the process.