Post-Partum Period & Complications Flashcards
What is the Edinburgh tool used for?
Detecting/screening for postnatal depression
What percentage of women are affected by “baby-blues”?
60-70%
Who is the baby-blues most commonly seen in?
Primips
What are the baby-blues?
Mood disorder experienced after childbirth, typically characterised by anxiety, tearfulness, and irritability.
Experienced 3-7 days following birth.
How should baby-blues be managed?
With reassurance and support, often the health visitor plays a key role.
What is the next step up in severity from baby-blues?
Post-natal depression
How common is post-natal depression?
Around 10% of women are affected
When does postnatal depression strike?
Within a month after birth, and usually peaks at 3 months.
How does post-natal depression present?
Like normal depression, but in the post-natal period
What are the elements of management for postnatal depression?
- Reassurance and support throughout
- CBT
- SSRIs if severe
Which SSRIs can be used in severe post-natal depression?
Sertraline and paroxetine
Paroxetine is recommended by SIGN as it has a low milk/plasma ratio
What is the next step up from post-natal depression?
Puerperal psychosis
How common is puerperal psychosis?
Approx. 0.2% of women are affected
When does puerperal psychosis start to affect a woman?
Onset within first 2-3 week after birth
How is puerperal psychosis different to postnatal depression?
It is more severe - more severe mood swings similar to bipolar, disordered perception, including auditory hallucinations.
How should puerperal psychosis be managed?
Usually hospital admission is needed.
If a woman suffers from puerperal psychosis, how likely is it she will suffer from it again?
20% risk of recurrence
What is a post-partum haemorrhage?
Excessive bleeding following delivery.
What are primary and secondary postpartum haemorrhage?
Primary is loss of blood over 500ml from genital tract within 24 hours of delivery.
Secondary is from 24 hours after delivery until six weeks postpartum.
What is classified as minor and major PPH?
Minor is up to 1000mls
Major is over 1000mls
What memory aid can we use to rememeber the causes of PPH?
Four Ts: Tone Trauma Tissue Thrombin
What tone issues can cause PPH?
Uterine atony
Distended bladder
What trauma issues can cause PPH?
Lacerations of the uterus, cervix, or vagina
What tissue issues can cause PPH?
Retained placenta or clots
What thrombin issues can cause PPH?
Pre-existing or acquired coagulopathy
What are the 2 most common causes of PPH, and which is the most most common?
- Uterine atony
2. Retained placenta