Pregnancy Risk Assessment Flashcards
What features are investigated in a maternity risk assessment during the booking appointment
Gestational diabetes risk
Pre-eclampsia
Foetal growth restriction
Venous thromboembolism
What are the risk factors for a high risk pregnancy
Any previous complicated pregnancies (biggest risk for another abnormal pregnancy)
Maternal factors
- Age <15yo or >35yo
- Pre-pregnancy weight under 45kg or obese
- Height under 5 ft (1.5m)
- Hypothyroid/Hyperthyroid
Gynaecological
- Incompetent cervix
- Uterine malformations
- Small pelvis
- Previous obs hx for recurrent miscarriages
Social
- Being single
- Smoker or alcohol
- Illicit drugs
- No access to early prenatal care
- Low socioeconomic status
What should be done for women with a high risk pregnancy
Refer for obstetrician led care
Continued surveillance - more frequent scans
Consider aspirin, high dose folic acid etc.
Who is given high dose folic acid
Previous child with NTD
Diabetes mellitus
Woman on an anti-epileptic
Obesity (>30 BMI)
HIV positive taking co-trimoxazole
Sickle cell disease
What are the methods of monitoring pregnancy
Cardiotocography
Growth scans
Foetal doppler
Foetal blood sampling
Describe the production of amniotic fluid as the pregnancy progresses
0-12 weeks: Passive transfer of fluid across the amniotic membranes from chorionic cavity
Before 20 weeks: Amniotic fluid isotonic like maternal plasma
19 weeks: Keratinisation of foetal skin AF circulation from foetus
Production: foetal urination, the respiratory tract system, oral secretion and transfer across the cord and placenta
Removal: foetal swallowing, intra-membranous, respiratory fluid
Define oligohydramnios
Decreased volume of amniotic fluid, <5th centile
Deepest pool <2cm
What are the risk factors for oligohydramnios
Reduced input fluid: placental insufficiency, pre-eclampsia
Reduced output fluid: structural pathology (AR PKD), medications (ACEi, NSAIDs)
Lost fluid: ROM, IUGR, post-term pregnancy carry, TTTS
Chromosomal abnormalities
Multiple pregnancy
Infections
What are the signs and symptoms of oligohydramnios
History of fluid leak PV, rupture of membranes – commonly asymptomatic
Abdominal exam – decreased fundal height, foetal parts easily palpable
Speculum – assess for membrane rupture if appropriate
What investigations should be done for oligohydramnios
USS – liquor volume, foetal anomalies
CTG– foetal wellbeing
What is the management for oligohydramnios
Term – delivery is appropriate, IOL if no CI
Pre-term – monitor serial USS for growth, liquor volume, dopplers, regular CTGs, delivery if further abnormalities arise (note: amnioinfusion has a very limited role or effect)
What are the complications of oligohydramnios
Labour – increased incidence of CTG abnormalities, meconium liquor, emergency CS
Neonate – pulmonary hyperplasia, limb deformities
Prognosis – increased perinatal mortality rates with early onset oligohydramnios
Define polyhydramnios
AFI >95th centile, 2-3L fluid
Deepest pool >8cm
What are the risk factors for polyhydramnios
Failure of foetal swallowing:
- Neurological - neurology, chromosomal abnormalities
- GIT - duodenal atresia, oesophageal atresia
Congenital infections
Foetal polyuria: maternal diabetes, TTTS
What are the signs and symptoms of polyhydramnios
Symptoms of underlying cause
Abdomen – increased fundal height, impalpable foetal parts, tense abdo
What investigations should be done for polyhydramnios
Liquor volume, foetal growth, umbilical artery dopplers, exclude foetal anomalies
Other – exclude maternal diabetes
What is the management for polyhydramnios
Antenatal monitoring of foetus, ensure diabetes control, paediatrician present at delivery
Amnioreduction (if gross polyhydramnios + discomfort)
COX inhibitors to decrease foetal urine output
What are the complications and prognosis of polyhydramnios
Pre-term labour (PTL), malpresentation, placental abruption, cord prolapse, PPH, increased risk CS
Prognosis – increased perinatal morbidity and mortality, related to PTL/congenital