Pregnancy Flashcards
What is the definition of small for gestational age
Birth weight <10th centile for gestational age
What is severe SGA
Birth weight <3rd centile
What are the measurements used to calculate size for gestational age
Estimated fetal weight
Abdominal circumference
What would be classed as a low birth weight
<2500g
What is fetal growth restriction
Pathological process restricting genetic growth potential
How does fetal growth restriction present
Fetal compromise
- Reduced liquor volume
- Abnormal doppler
What does normal (constitutionally) small mean
Small size at every stage
Following along for their own centile
No pathology present
Due to ethnicity, sex, parental height
What is placenta-mediated growth restriction
Normal growth initially
Growth slows in utero
Common cause of fetal growth restriction
What are the maternal factors that can cause placenta-mediated growth restriction
Low pre-pregnancy weight
Substance abuse
Autoimmune disease
Renal disease
Diabetes
Chronic hypertension
What is non-placenta mediated growth restriction
Growth affected by fetal factors
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Structural anomalies
- Metabolic errors
- Fetal infection
When are risk factors for small for gestational age assessed
Booking
20 week scan
What are the minor risk factors for small for gestational age
Age >35
Smoking 1-10 per day
Nulliparity
BMI <20 or 25-35
IVF singleton
Previous pre-eclampsia
Pregnancy interval <6 or >60 months
Low fruit intake pre-pregnancy
What are the major risk factors for small for gestational age
Age >40
Smoking >11 per day
Previous SGA baby
Maternal/paternal SGA
Previous stillbirth
Cocaine use
Daily vigorous exercise
Maternal chronic disease
Heavy bleeding
Low PAPP-A
How is small for gestational age diagnosed
Ultrasound
Values plotted on customised centile chart
Measure head circumference and abdominal circumference
What does the head to abdominal circumference ratio tell us
Symmetrically small
- More likely to be constitutionally small
Asymmetrically small
- More likely to be placental insufficiency
What would be seen on doppler for small for gestational age
‘Brain-sparing’ effect
What investigations are used to assess for small for gestational age
Ultrasound
Detailed fetal anatomical survey
Uterine artery doppler
Karyotyping
Screening for infections (cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, malaria…)
What can be done to prevent small for gestational age babies
Smoking cessation
Optimise maternal health
If high risk of pre-eclampsia, start aspirin
What surveillance is needed as part of the management of small for gestational age
Uterine artery doppler every 14 days
Symphysis fundal height
Middle cerebral artery doppler
Ductus venosus doppler
CTG
Amniotic fluid volume
When would you decide to deliver small for gestational age babies
If considering delivery before 35 weeks, give antenatal steroids
Before 37 weeks, C-section
After 37 weeks, offer induction
What are the complications associated with small for gestational age babies
Increased risk of stillbirth
Neonatal complications: birth asphyxia, meconium aspiration, hypothermia, hyper/hypoglycaemia…
Long-term complications: cerebral palsy, T2DM, obesity, HTN, precocious puberty…
When do pregnant women have maternal blood group and antibody tests
Booking (8-12 weeks)
28 weeks
When are RhD- women routinely given anti-D prophylaxis
28 and 34 weeks
What are some ‘sensitisation events’ that can cause RBC isoimmunisation
Antepartum haemorrhage
Abdominal trauma
Delivery
Invasive obstetric testing
Ectopic pregnancy
External cephalic version
How do anti-D immunoglobulins work
Bind RhD+ cells in maternal circulation
Prevent mounting of an immune response
Intrauterine death/miscarriage
Termination of pregnancy
What blood tests should be done following a sensitisation event for RBC isoimmunisation
Maternal blood group and antibody screen
Feto-maternal haemorrhage test (Kleihauer test)
- Assesses how much fetal blood has entered maternal circulation
Check Rhesus status of baby after delivery
How long post-partum should anti-D be given
72 hours
What is a prolonged pregnancy
Pregnancy that goes beyond 42 weeks
5-10% of pregnancies
What are the risk factors for prolonged pregnancy
Nulliparity
Age >40
Previous prolonged pregnancy
Obesity
Family history
What are the complications associated with prolonged pregnancy
Significant increase in stillbirths
Increased chance of placental insufficiency
Placental degradation
What are the clinical features of prolonged pregnancy
Static growth
Potential macrosomia
Oligohydramnios
Reduced fetal movements
Presence of meconium
Dry/flaky skin (reduced vernix)
What is the main differential diagnosis for prolonged pregnancy
Inaccurate dating
What is the management for prolonged pregnancy
Deliver by 42 weeks to reduce risk of stillbirth
Membrane sweep (from 40 in nulliparous, from 41 in multiparous)
Induction of labour
If a mother declines induction in prolonged pregnancy, how should she be monitored
Twice weekly CTG monitoring
USS with amniotic fluid measurement
Look out for fetal distress
What is miscarriage
Loss of pregnancy at <24 weeks
Early miscarriage: 12-13 weeks
Late miscarriage: 13-24 weeks
Roughly how many pregnancies end in miscarriage
20-25%
What are the risk factors for miscarriage
Age >35
Previous miscarriage
Obesity
Chromosomal abnormalities
Smoking
Uterine anomalies
Previous uterine surgery
Anti-phospholipid syndrome
Coagulopathies
How might a woman with a miscarriage present
Vaginal bleeding (may pass products of conception)
Suprapubic cramping pain
Many found incidentally
What might you see on speculum examination of a woman with a miscarriage
Abnormal diameter of cervix
Products of conception in cervical canal
Localised bleeding
What are the differential diagnoses for miscarriage
Ectopic pregnancy
Hydatidiform mole
Cervical/uterine malignancy
What investigations are needed in miscarriage
Transvaginal ultrasound
Mean sac diameter (>25mm = failed pregnancy, <25mm = repeat scan in 10-14 days)
Bloods (beta-HCG, FBC, CRP…)
What is the management of miscarriage in RhD- women
If >12 weeks, need anti-D prophylaxis
If surgical management, need anti-D regardless of gestational age
What is the conservative management of miscarriage
Allow for products of conception to pass naturally
Can stay at home, no side effects…
Unpredictable timing, heavy bleeding, pain…
Follow up scan in 2 weeks or pregnancy test in 3 weeks
Contraindications: infection, high risk haemorrhage, haemodynamic instability
What is the medical management of miscarriage
Vaginal misoprostol (prostaglandin analogue)
Stimulates cervical ripening and myometrial contraction
Give mifepristone 24-48 hours before admission
Follow up pregnancy test in 3 weeks
What is the surgical management of miscarriage
Manual vacuum aspiration with local anaesthetic if <12 weeks
Or evacuate retained products of conception under GA
Definitive indications: haemodynamic instability, infected tissue, gestational trophoblastic disease
What is recurrent miscarriage
3 or more consecutive pregnancies that end in miscarriage before 24 weeks
What can cause recurrent miscarriage
Antiphospholipid syndrome (15% of women with recurrent miscarriage)
Chromosomal abnormalities
Diabetes
Thyroid disease
PCOS
Anatomical abnormalities
Infection
Inherited thrombophilias
What are the risk factors for recurrent miscarriage
Advanced maternal age
Number of previous miscarriages
Smoking
Heavy alcohol
What investigations are needed for recurrent miscarriages
Blood tests (antiphospholipid antibodies, inherited thrombophilia screen)
Karyotyping
Pelvic USS
What is the management for recurrent miscarriage
Refer to specialist clinic
Genetic abnormalities
- Genetic counselling/familial chromosomal studies
- Other reproductive options
Anatomical abnormalities
- Cervical cerclage (suture cervix closed), serial cervical sonographic surveillance
Thrombophlias and antiphospholipid syndrome
- Heparin therapy throughout pregnancy
What are the most common sites of implantation in ectopic pregnancy
Ampulla or isthmus of fallopian tube
What are the rare sites of implantation of ectopic pregnancy
Ovary, cervix, peritoneal cavity
What is an ectopic pregnancy
Pregnancy implanted outside uterine cavity
What are the risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy
Previous ectopic pregnancy
PID
Endometriosis
Coil
POP
Pelvic surgery
Assisted reproduction
How may a woman with an ectopic pregnancy present
Pain
Vaginal bleeding
Shoulder tip pain
Brown vaginal discharge
Abdominal tenderness
What would you find on vaginal examination of a woman with an ectopic pregnancy
Cervical excitation
Adnexal tenderness
Fullness in pouch of Douglas (if ruptured)
What are the differential diagnoses for an ectopic pregnancy
Miscarriage
Ovarian cyst haemorrhage/torsion/rupture
Acute PID
UTI
Appendicitis
Diverticulitis
What investigations are needed for an ectopic pregnancy
Pregnancy test
Pelvic/transvaginal USS
b-HCG
- > 1500 and no pregnancy seen, ectopic until proven otherwise
- <1500, redo in 48 hours (double in pregnancy, half in miscarriage)
What is the medical management for ectopic pregnancy
IM methotrexate (anti-folate cytotoxic agent)
Monitor b-HCG to make sure that it is declining
Indications: b-HCG <1500, unruptured, no visible heartbeat
What is the surgical management for ectopic pregnancy
Tubal ectopics: laparoscopic salpingectomy
If have damage to contralateral tube, try salpingostomy (preserve tube)
Indications: severe pain, b-HCG >5000, adnexal mass >34 mm, visible heartbeat
What is the conservative management for ectopic pregnancy
Watchful waiting
Only if rupture is very unlikely
Monitor b-HCG every 48 hours
What are the complications of ectopic pregnancy
Rupture
Hypovolaemic shock
What is gestational trophoblastic disease
Group of pregnancy-related tumours
Can be pre-malignant (more common) or malignant
What are some examples of pre-malignant gestational trophoblastic disease
Partial molar pregnancy
Complete molar pregnancy
What are some examples of malignant gestational trophoblastic disease
Invasive mole
Choriocarcinoma
Placental trophoblastic site tumour
Epithelioid trophoblastic tumour
What is a molar pregnancy
A gestational trophoblastic disease
Abnormality in chromosomal number during fertilisation
Partial = 69 chromosomes
Complete = 46 chromosomes
Usually benign but can become malignant
What is a choriocarcinoma
A gestational trophoblastic disease
Malignancy of trophoblastic cells of placenta
Often co-exists with molar pregnancy
Metastasises to lung
What is a placental site trophoblastic tumour
A gestational trophoblastic disease
Malignancy of intermediate trophoblasts (anchor placenta to uterus)
What is an epithelioid trophoblastic tumour
A gestational trophoblastic disease
Malignancy of trophoblastic placental cells
Mimics a squamous cell carcinoma
What are the risk factors for gestational trophoblastic disease
Age <20 or >35
Previous gestational trophoblastic disease
Previous miscarriage
Oral contraceptive use
What are the clinical features of a molar pregnancy
Vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain early in pregnancy
Large, soft, boggy uterus
If gestational trophoblastic disease goes undiagnosed, what might the mother develop
Hyperemesis (higher b-HCG)
Hyperthyroidism (gestational thyrotoxicosis due to b-HCG)
Anaemia
What investigations are needed for gestational trophoblastic disease
Urine/blood b-HCG
Ultrasound (complete mole = granular/snowstorm appearance)
Histological examination of products of conception (post-treatment for molar pregnancy)
If suspect metastases, staging CT/MRI
What is the management of gestational trophoblastic disease
Register patient with GTD centre for follow up and monitoring of future pregnancies
Molar pregnancy
- Suction curette
- Medical evacuation
- May need chemotherapy
What is placental abruption
Part/all of placenta separates from uterine wall prematurely
Important cause of antepartum haemorrhage
What is the pathophysiology of placental abruption
Rupture of maternal vessels in basal layer of endometrium
Blood accumulation splits placenta from uterine wall
Detached bit of placenta unable to function - get fetal compromise
What are the 2 main types of placental abruption
Revealed
- Blood drains through cervix, get PV bleeding
Concealed
- Blood stays in uterus, get a retroplacental clot
What are the risk factors for placental abruption
Placental abruption in previous pregnancy
Pre-eclampsia
Abnormal lie
Polyhydramnios
Abdominal trauma
Smoking
Drug use
Bleeding in 1st trimester
Underlying thrombophilia
Multiple pregnancy
What are the clinical features of placental abruption
Painful vaginal bleeding
Woody uterus
Pain on abdominal examination
What are the differential diagnoses for placental abruption
Placenta praevia
Marginal placental bleeding (small abruption, not big enough to cause compromise)
Vasa praevia
Uterine rupture
Polyps/carcinoma/cervical ectropion
Candida/bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia