Week 10-14 Flashcards
Define: Pre-term birth
Labour that occurs after 20 weeks gestation and before 37 completed weeks gestation.
What is the incidence of pre-term birth in Australia
8.2% in Australia
In 2014 what was the % of pre-term births in NSW
7.7%
When are most pre-term infants born
32-36 weeks
What is the perinatal mortality rate for pre-term births
7.6 per 1000 births
How does infection relate to pre-term birth
Inflammatory cytokines or bacterial endotoxins can stimulate prostaglandin release directly or indirectly by stimulating the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH)
What are the contributing risk factors for pre-term birth
- Past obstetric history: repeated pre-term birth, miscarriages or terminations
- Birth following ART and ovulation induction
- Birth among women >34 years
- Infection: bacterial vaginosis
- Demographic: social disadvantage
- Medical conditions: diabetes, high blood pressure
- Current pregnancy: placental abruption, pre-eclampsia
- Behavioural: stress, psychological issues
What are the known causes of pre-term birth
- Infection and inflammation
- Multiple pregnancy (40-65% twins end in preterm birth).
- Medically assisted conception e.g. fertility drugs, IVF/GIFT (20% risk of preterm birth).
- PROM (25-30%).
- Short pregnancy interval.
- Polyhydramnios.
- ‘Incompetent’ weak cervix (35%).
- Premature separation of placenta.
- Excessive use of alcohol, smoking and narcotics in pregnancy.
- A genetic basis of preterm birth.
- APH.
- 50% have no obvious cause.
Pre-term therapy
Explain: Tocolytic therapy
the attempt to stop or limit uterine contractions in preterm labour using drugs.
Explain: Tocolysis
Betamimetics: e.g. I.V salbutamol, terbutaline, ritodrine are βeta-adrenergic agonists and relax smooth muscle cells in the uterus.
- side effects: rapid pulse, chest pain, headaches.
- Contraindicated in:cardiac disease. May delay labour by 48 hours, can be used on hospital transfer.
Calcium channel blockers: e.g. oral nifedipine reduce muscle contraction by controlling the influx of calcium across the plasma membrane.
Explain: MgSO4
MgSO4 for neuroprotection of the preterm infant, to minimise the risk of cerebral palsy.
Indications:
Preterm fetus < 30 weeks gestation.
If preterm birth expected in <24 hours, treatment to commence as close as 4 hours before birth.
4g loading dose and titrated.
Used for singleton or twin pregnancies.
What are the contraindications to treatment of premature labour
Contraindications to stopping a labour:
- Mature fetus >34 weeks.
- Fetal death.
- Fetal anomaly incompatible with life.
- SGA/IUGR related to unfavourable intrauterine environment.
- Other fetal compromise/fetal distress on admission.
- Active haemorrhage.
- Intra-amniotic infection/chorioamnionitis.
Pre-term birth
What is the labour management for expectant delivery
(Tocolysis contra-indicated if cervix is dilated)
- Commence IMI steroids
- Have maternal and neonatal specialist’s notified and ready
- Conduct regular labour observations
- Monitor fetus
Pre-term birth
What is the delivery management for pre-term birth
Be prepared for:
- rapid 2nd stage
- possible fetal distress
- neonatal resuscitation equipment/ ready for TF to NICU
- Contemporaneous documentation
Pre-term birth
What is the subsequent midwifery care is a woman is admitted to the ward
- administer IV fluids, tocolytics, antibiotics and 2nd dose of steroids
- fetal welfare assessment
- discuss premature outcomes with parents
- maternal assessment (obs and abdominal palpations)
- r/v by specialist
What is the midwifery care on admission to the BU for delivery
- take patient history
- prepare room (rests equipment ready)
- request additional personnel
- CTG monitoring
- type of birth
Define: Premature rupture of membranes
Rupture of the amniotic sac prior to 37 weeks gestation
Premature rupture of membranes
What are the maternal and fetal effects of PROM
Maternal
- 50% deliver within 1 week
- maternal sepsis
Fetal
- prematurity
- fetal infection (chorioamnionitis)
- fetal compromise
- developmental abnormalities
- possible TOP
How is premature rupture of membranes diagnosed?
NO vaginal examination
- sterile speculum
- amnicator test
- observe for labour signs
What % of multiple pregnancies end in preterm delivery
15%
What is the most common pregnancy complication relating to twins
Polyhydraminos- causing premature labour and prematurity
Diagnosis of twins
How are twins diagnosed
Suspected
- IVF
- Severe hyperemesis
- increased pregnancy discomforts
- conditions (GDM, pre-eclampsia, LGA)
- polyhydraminos
Confirmation
- U/S examination
Multiple pregnancies
What are the complications
- anaemia
- placenta previa
- polyhydraminos and preterm labour
- malpresentations
- pre-eclampsia and GDM
- PPH
- Growth restriction and IUD
Define: PPH
Blood loss of 500ml or more during and after childbirth
Define: Severe PPH
A blood loss of 1000ml or more OR any amount of blood loss postpartum that causes haemodynamic compromise
Explain: Primary PPH
Occurs within the first 24hrs following birth
Explain: Secondary PPH
Occurs between 24hrs and 6 weeks postpartum
The incidence of PPH may be underestimated by up to what %
50% due to clinical difficulty in accurately estimating blood loss
Manual removal of the placenta at ELSCS and EmLSCS is associated
Increase in maternal blood loss and increased risk of infection
What are the 4 T’s for most likely causes of PPH
Tone
Trauma
Tissue
Thrombin
4T’s causes of PPH
Explain: Tone
- 70% of cases
- Examples: prolonged labour, multiple pregnancy, full bladder, polyhydraminos
- Obvious Signs: profuse bleeding and maternal collapse
- Subtle Signs: uterus large and soft, blood retained in the uterus
4T’s causes of PPH
Explain: Trauma
- 20% of cases
- lacerations (cervix, vagina and perineum)
- episiotomy
- uterine rupture
- uterine inversion
4T’s causes of PPH
Explain: Tissue
- 10% of cases
- retained products
- retained placenta or succenturiate lobe
4T’s causes of PPH
Explain: Thrombin
- 1% of cases
- coagulation disorders acquired in pregnancy
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura
- thrombocytopenia with pre-eclampsia
- preeclampsia
- abruption
- severe infections
- amniotic fluid embolus
What is the Acute Management for PPH
- Summon help
- Rub up contraction
- Give an oxytocic
- Empty bladder
- Syntocinon infusion
What is the Prophylaxis management for PPH
- Avoid anaemia, dehydration, prolonged labour
- Empty bladder 2nd hrly
- Oxytocics for 3rd stage
- Check history: fibroids, anaemia, previous PPH
Explain: Drug therapy for PPH management
- Syntocinon: IM 10units
- Syntometrine: IM 1mL (2nd does within 2hrs if necessary)
- Ergometrine: IM 250mcg or IV 250mcg
- Prostin F2a: mix 5mg with 9mL N-saline
PPH management when placenta is undelivered or partially delivered
- attempt CCT
- Provide effective pain relief
- Perform procedure
- Oxytocic given post procedure
- Prophylactic antibiotics
If there is an Intractable PPH what is the management
- bi-manual compression
- balloon tamponade
- haemostatic brace suturing
- hysterectomy
What are the 4 degrees of shock
Compensation: 900mls, minimal symptoms
Mild Shock: 1200-1500mls, weakness, anxiety, tachycardia
Moderate Shock: 1800-2000mls, tachycardia, restlessness, cold/clammy skin, pallor
Severe Shock: 2400mls, collapse, depressed mental state, air hunger, Anura, circulatory arrest
PPH Resus steps
- Resus
- Cannulate
- collect bloods: FBC, cross match and haemoglobin
- Crystalloids: N Saline, Hartmann
- Blood
What are the causes of Uterine Inversion
- incorrect management of 3rd stage
- Short cord
- Precipitate labour and/or birth
- Manual removal
- Pathologically adherent placenta
- Spontaneous with no obvious cause
What are the 3 classifications of uterine Inversion
First degree: fundus reaches internal os
Second degree: the body of uterus is inverted to the internal os
Third degree: the uterus, cervix and vagina are inverted and visible
What is the management for Uterine inversion
- summon assistance
- Manual or surgical replacement
- If placenta still attached, leave there
- Correction of shock
- oxytocic once uterus in normal position
What are the 4 types of Perineal Trauma
1st degree- injury to perineal skin
2nd degree- injury to perineum involving muscles
3rd degree- injury to perineum involving the anal sphincter complex
3a)- less than 50% of external anal sphincter (EAS) torn
3b)- more than 50% of EAS torn
3c)- both EAS and internal anal sphincter torn
4th degree- injury to perineum, anal sphincter complex (EAS and IAS), and epithelium
Define: Episiotomy
Is an incision made in the pelvic floor during childbirth to enlarge the vaginal orifice
What are the indications for Episiotomy
- fetal distress
- short, long or inelastic perineum
- shoulder dystocia
- fetal malposition
- instrumental or breech delivery
- previous pelvic floor surgery