Women's Health Flashcards
Ligaments of the uterus
o Broad ligament – double layer of peritoneum attaching sides of uterus to pelvis
o Round ligament – from uterine horns to labia majora via inguinal canal, maintains anteverted position of uterus
o Ovarian ligament – joins ovaries to uterus
o Cardinal ligament – from cervix to lateral pelvic walls, contains uterine artery and vein
o Uterosacral ligament – cervix to sacrum, supports uterus
phases of the menstrual cycle
follicular phase days 1-13/14, ovulation day 13/14, luteal phase days 14-28
follicular phase of egg before entering menstrual cycle
- primordial follicle - 1 oocyte surrounded by granulosa cells (secrete oestrogen, progesterone and inhibin)
- primary follicle - zona pellucida forms
- preantral follicle - granulosa cells differentiate into Theca cells (oestrogen)
- early antral follicle - oocyte full size, antrum forms and fills with fluid (from birth to when it enters cycle)
follicular phase during menstrual cycle
- makes mature/Graafian follicle
- after day 7 10-15 early antral follicles grow
- 1 is dominant and antrum grows
- LH surge - oocyte emerges out of meiotic arrest - first division into secondary oocyte
- ovulation
- enzymes rupture follicle and oocyte carried away in antral fluid
luteal phase
- after ovulation granulosa cells increase in size becoming corpus luteum (oestrogen, prog, inhibin)
- no fertilisation after 10d corpus luteum undergoes apoptosis = triggers menstruation
uterine changes during menstrual cycle
- Days 1-5 – menstrual phase, decreased progesterone - endometrial degeneration and menstrual flow
- Days 5-14 – proliferative phase, oestrogen makes endometrium thicken and stimulates myometrium and progesterone receptor generation
- Days 15-28 – secretory phase, progesterone binds overriding oestrogen to prevent myometrium contraction and the endometrium secrets glycogen to nourish oocyte
oestrogen and the menstrual cycle
produced by granulosa cells in follicular phase and by corpus luteum in luteal phase
progesterone and the menstrual cycle
produced by granulosa and theca cells in small amounts in follicular phase, by corpus luteum in large amounts in luteal phase
FSH in menstrual cycle
o High early in follicular phase due to decrease in oestrogen and progesterone causing an increase in GnRH from hypothalamus
o Slow decrease during cycle due to dominant oocyte releasing more oestrogen
o Increase in FSH at day 10-11 causing LH receptors to develop on Theca cells
LH and the menstrual cycle
o Levels constant for most of follicular phase
o LH surge 18h before ovulation due to high oestrogen increasing sensitivity to GnRH – surge allows oocyte to complete meiosis 1
o LH decreases rapidly then slowly after ovulation due to increase in progesterone
o LH acts on Theca cells to produce androgens – converted to oestrogen and atrial fluid in granulosa cells
inhibin and the menstrual cycle
decreases FSH by inhibiting release at pituitary, peaks for ovulation, decreases as corpus luteum degenerates
meiotic divisions for oogenesis
females arrested in prophase of meiosis I – maturation during menstrual cycle – arrested in metaphase of meiosis II until ovulation, meiosis complete after fertilisation
route of sperm
seminiferous tubules – rete testis – efferent ducts – epididymis – vas deferens – ejaculatory duct – urethra
LH and FSH in males
o FSH – stimulates Sertoli cells to produce inhibin (inhibits release of FSH from pit) and promotes spermatogenesis
o LH – stimulates testosterone release from Leydig cells (negative feedback to hypothalamus and pit
fertilisation
- day 1 - fusion, enzymes digest zona pellucida, sperm enters, mem pot change prevents more entering, 4-7h after meiosis II occurs and the DNA replication and mitosis
- 2/3 - zygote, in fallopian tube, CLEAVAGE increases no. of totipotent cells
- 4 - compaction
- 5 - cavitation and expansion - fluid filled cavity expands, blastocyst >80cells
- 6+ - hatch out of zona pellucida
implantation timing/changes
- 21st day of menstrual cycle, 7 days post fertilisation
- endometrial cells provide metabolic fuel for early grown for first 5 weeks until foetal heart is functioning
stages of implantation
- Apposition – day 9, hatched blastocyst orientates via embryonic pole, synchronises with endometrium
- Attachment – integrins between endometrial endothelium and trophoblast cells
- Differentiation – trophoblast layer splits into cytotrophoblast and synctiotrophoblast
- Invasion – synctiotrophoblast erodes spiral blood vessels by digestion of basal lamina via enzymes to increase blood flow
- Decidual reaction – differentiation of stromal cells adjacent to blastocyst
- Maternal recognition – secretion of IL-2 prevents rejection, day 11 post fertilisation
beta hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin)
- Produced by synctiotrophoblast cells and begins being released at endometrial invasion
- Maintains corpus luteum and stimulates oestrogen and progesterone production; prevents menstruation
- Levels peak 60-80 days after last menstruation then rapidly decreases
relaxin in pregnancy
– Increases early in pregnancy from ovaries and placenta, limits uterine activity, softens and ripens cervix
oxytocin in pregnancy
from posterior pituitary, secreted throughout, increases towards end to stimulate uterine contractions and caring behaviours
prostaglandins in pregnancy
– PGF2a most abundant, PGE2 10x stronger, initiate labour, produced by uterine tissue
maternal adaptations during pregnancy
- weight gain 10-15kg
- uterus hypertrophy and hyperplasia, cervix softens
- blood vol 50% increase, RBC mass increase, hb concentration decrease, WBC increase
- CV - CO 40% inc, peripheral resistance 50%decrease
- lungs - tidal vol 40%inc, no rate change
- renal - GFR 40% inc
- GI - reduced motility, delayed gastric emptying, constipation
- thyroid enlargement
diagnosis of labour
contractions with effacement and dilatation of the cervix
signs of labour
- Show (mucus plug from the cervix)
- Rupture of membranes
- Regular, painful contractions
- Dilating cervix on examination
first stage of labour
- latent phase - 0-4cm, 0.5cm/h, irreg contractions
- active phase - 4-7cm, 1cm/h, reg contractions
- transition phase - 7-10cm, 1cm/h, strong contractions
- head descends remaining flexed, rotation from OT to OA
- membranes rupture
second stage of labour
- Contraction continue, head descends and flexes further, rotation normally complete
- Passive = before pushing starts
- Active = Pushing starts when head reaches pelvic floor
- Delivery – head extends as its delivered over perineum, rotates back to transverse before the shoulders deliver
third stage of labour
- placenta, normally 15min with up yo 500ml blood loss
- uterine muscle fibres contract shearing blood vessels to placenta
the passenger descriptions
- Presentation – head (cephalic), buttocks (breech)
- Position of the head – rotation – OT, OP, OA
- Attitude of the head – degree of flexion – vertex (optimal), brow or face
- Foetal lie – longitudinal (optimal), transverse (sideways), oblique (slight angle)
gestation
w+d since LMP (start of period)
gravidity and parity
gravidity is how many times they have been pregnant including this one, parity is how many deliveries past 24w despite the outcome (still birth included)
trimesters of pregnancy
1st 0-12w
2nd 13-26w
3rd 27-birth
investigations during routine antenatal appt
- Symphysis–fundal height measurement from 24 weeks onwards
- Fetal presentation assessment from 36 weeks onwards
- Urine dipstick for protein for pre-eclampsia
- Blood pressure for pre-eclampsia
- Urine for microscopy and culture for asymptomatic bacteriuria
vaccines during pregnancy
- Whooping cough (pertussis) from 16 weeks gestation
- Influenza (flu) when available
pregnancy lifestyle advice
- Take folic acid 400mcg from before pregnancy to 12 weeks (reduces neural tube defects)
- Take vitamin D supplement (10 mcg or 25 for those at risk daily)
- Aspirin 75mg for women at risk of pre-eclampsia
- LMWH for risk of VTE
etc…..
booking clinic
- Blood group, antibodies, and rhesus D status
- FBC for anaemia
- Screening for thalassaemia (all women) and sickle cell disease (women at higher risk)
- Also offered screening for HIV, Hep B, Syphilis antibodies
- Measurements – weight, height, BMI, urine for protein and bacteria, BP
combined screening test during pregnancy
- 10-14w (Down’s T21, Edwards’ T18, Patau’s T13)
- USS for nuchal thickness (>6mm in downs)
- bloods - HCG (high = risk), PAPPA (low = risk)
Quadruple blood screening test during pregnancy
- done for downs if >14w
- beta-HCG (high is greater risk), Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, low is risk), serum oestriol (low is risk), inhibin-A (high is greater risk)
further testing for screening during pregnancy
- for higher chance result (risk >1/150)
- second screening test - non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
- diagnostic test with amniocentesis (later on) or chorionic villus sampling (<15w) for DNA karyotyping
presentation o an ectopic pregnancy
- Pregnancy symptoms, constant right or left iliac fossa pain, bleeding, cervical motion tenderness during examination, dizziness (blood loss), shoulder tip pain (peritonitis)
- Gestational sac found on USS outside of uterus
pregnancy of unknown location and hCG changes
- Positive pregnancy test, no pregnancy found of USS
- Beta hCG used for monitoring and repeated after 48h (normally hCG would double)
o Rise >63% likely indicates intrauterine pregnancy – should be visible on USS when hCG > 1500 IU/L
o Rise <63% indicates ectopic
o Fall >50% indicated miscarriage
management of ectopic pregnancy
- expectant management
- medical - IM methotrexate (highly teratogenic)
- surgical - salpingectomy, salpingotomy (preserve tube)
management of miscarriage <6w
– expectant management if no complications then repeat urine pregnancy test after 7-10 days
management of miscarriage >6w
- expectant
- medical - oral or vaginal misoprostol (prostaglandin analogue making cervix soften and uterus contract)
- surgical - manual vacuum aspiration <10w, D&C with electric vacuum
recurrent miscarriage
> 3
- Causes: idiopathic, older age, antiphospholipid syndrome (give low dose aspirin), thrombophilia’s, uterine abnormalities, genetic factors, chronic histiocytic intervillositis, chronic diseases (diabetes, thyroid disease, SLE)
medical abortion
- Mifepristone (anti-progestogen – stops pregnancy and relaxes cervix)
- Misoprostol (prostaglandin analogue – softens cervix and stimulates uterine contractions) 1 – 2 day later
- Rhesus negative women above 10w should have anti-D prophylaxis
surgical abortion
- Meds used before for cervical priming - misoprostol, mifepristone, or osmotic dilators
o Cervical dilatation and suction of the contents of the uterus (up to 14w)
o Cervical dilatation and evacuation using forceps (between 14 - 24 weeks)
post-abortion care
may experience vaginal bleeding and cramps for up to 2w, urine pregnancy test after 3w, support and counselling offered
nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
- start from 4 – 7 weeks, are worst around 10 – 12 weeks and resolve by 16 – 20 weeks
- hCG thought to be cause - more severe in molar and multiple pregnancies due to higher levels
hyperemesis gravidarum
- More than 5 % weight loss compared with before pregnancy
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
- assess severity using Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) score
treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum
- antiemetics (prochlorperazine 1sr)
- ranitidine/omeprazole for reflux
- admission for IV fluid, antiemetics and thiamine supplements with daily U&Es
what are partial and complete molar pregnancies
- complete mole - 2 sperm in an empty ovum (no genes)
- partial mole - 2 sperm in a normal ovum - some fetal material may form
diagnosis of molar pregnancy
- more severe morning sickness, bleeding, abnormally high hcg
- snowstorm appearance on USS
treatment of molar pregnancy
- remove mole - histology
- referral to gestational trophoblastic disease centre
- can occasionally metastasise needing chemo
types of multiple pregnancy
- Monozygotic: identical twins (from a single zygote)
- Dizygotic: non-identical (from two different zygotes)
- Monoamniotic: single amniotic sac
- Diamniotic: two separate amniotic sacs
- Monochorionic: share a single placenta
- Dichorionic: two separate placentas
- diamniotic dichorionic best outcome
multiple pregnancy on USS
- Dichorionic diamniotic twins - membrane between the twins, with a lambda sign
- Monochorionic diamniotic twins - membrane between the twins, with a T sign
- Monochorionic monoamniotic twins - no membrane separating
specific complications in twins
- twin-twin transfusion syndrome (one twin receives majority of blood from placenta)
- twin anaemia polycythaemia sequence (less acute- one becomes anaemic, other polycythaemia)
antenatal care for multiples
- FBC at booking clinic, 20w, 28w (increased risk of anaemia)
- Additional USS – 2 weekly from 16w with monochorionic, 4 weekly from 20w for dichorionic
- Planned CS before spontaneous labour occurs, corticosteroids given before
- Monoamniotic twins require CS between 32-33+6 weeks
definition of polyhydramnios
liquor volume increased, deepest liquor pool >10cm generally considered abnormal, should be around 1000ml at 38w
causes of polyhydramnios
- Maternal disorders: GDM, renal failure
- Twins: twin-twin transfusion syndrome
- Fetal anomaly: upper GI obstructions/inability to swallow, CNS/cardiac/renal abnormalities, myotonic dystrophy
management of polyhydramnios
- detailes USS
- blood glucose monitoring
- <34 w sever amnioreduction or NSAIDS (reduce fetal urine output)
- vaginal delivery unless complications
oligohydramnios
- develops when increased fluid loss or decreased production
investigations for oligohydramnios
Fluid analysis from speculum examination – ferning test (dried amniotic fluid forms fern-like crystals)
- vaginal swab for placental alpha macroglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1))
management of oligohydramnios
- Monitoring
- Amnioinfusion (saline or Ringer’s lactate infused)
- Induction of labour between 36-38w (risk of cord compression and limb deformities)
UTI in pregnancy and most likely bacteria
-Higher risk of pyelonephritis and miscarriage/ preterm birth
- most E.coli (gram-negative, anaerobic, rod), klebsiella pneumoniae (gram negative, anaerobic rod)
management of UTI in pregnancy
- culture for sensitivities
- 7d abx - nitro (not in 3rd trimester), amox, cefalexin, trimethoprim (not in 1st)
group B streptococcus infection in pregnancy
- normal in flora of 20-40%
- can cause neonatal sepsis/pneumonia/encephalitis or UTI in mother
- screened at 35-37w if risk factors
treatment of GBS in pregnancy
3g IV Benzylpenicillin stat after onset of labour, followed by 1.5g IV Benzylpenicillin 4hourly until delivery (takes 4h to cross over into fetus)
chlamydia and gonorrhoea in pregnancy
- preterm labour and neonatal conjunctivitis
- Chlamydia treated with azithromycin or erythromycin (tetracyclines cause fetal tooth discolouration)
- Gonorrhoea treated with cephalosporins
management of VTE in pregnancy
- Prophylactic LMWH (dalteparin) from 28w if 3 risk factors, 1st trimester if >4
- compression stockings
- CTPA and doppler used for diagnosis - dalteparin immediately
what is pre-eclampsia
- new htn with end-organ dysfunction (proteinuria)
- occurs after 20w when spiral arteries of placenta form abnormally leading to a high vascular resistance in them
pre-eclampsia triad
htn, proteinuria, oedema
pregnancy-induced htn
htn occurring after 20w without end-organ damage (proteinuria)
symptoms of pre-eclampsia
- Headache
- Visual disturbance or blurriness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Upper abdominal or epigastric pain (this is due to liver swelling)
- Oedema
- Reduced urine output
- Brisk reflexes
prophylaxis of pre-eclampsia
- high risk (other chronic diseases) aspirin from 12w
- moderate risk (>1 risk factor) aspirin from 12w
diagnosis of pre-eclampsia
BP >140/90
proteinuria, organ dysfunction, placental dysfunction
low placental growth factor
management of pre-eclampsia
- urine dip, FBC,LFT, U&E weekly with serial growth scans
- BP every 48h
- scoring systems for admission (fullPIERS or PREP-S)
- labetalol (1st line antihypertensive) then nifedipine
- IV mag sulf during labour and in 24h after to prevent seizures
- CS if uncontrolled
- after delivery give enalapril
eclampsia
- seizures associated with pre-eclampsia from cerebral vasospasm
- IV magnesium sulphate
HELLP syndrome in pregnancy
- complication of pre/eclampsia
- Haemolysis
- EL elevated liver enzymes
- LP low platelets
complications of gestational diabetes
- large fetus, macrosomia
- shoulder dystocia during delivery
oral glucose tolerance test for GD
- at 24-28w if at risk
- Normal results:
o Fasting: < 5.6 mmol/l
o At 2 hours: < 7.8 mmol/l
o Anything higher is GM: cut off for gestational diabetes as simply 5 – 6 – 7 – 8
management of GD
- education on lifestyle nd monitoring BM
- 4 weekly USS from 28-36w
- fasting glucose>7 = insulin +/- metformin
- FG >6 plus macrosomia = insulin +/- metformin
- glibenclamide (sulfonylurea) if refuse insulin
pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy
- good control before
- retinopathy screening after booking then at 28w
- planned delivery at 37-38+6w
- sliding scale insulin regime during labour
postnatal care with GD
- resolves immediately after birth - stop meds
- babies at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia, polycythaemia, jaundice and congenital heart disease
obstetric cholestasis
- reduced outflow of bile acids from liver dur to increased oestrogen and progesterone
- resolves after delivery
- increases risk of still birth
- presents with jaundice
investigations for obstetric cholestasis
LFT (abnormal ALT, AST, GGT) and bile acids checked (raised)
normal for ALP to increase because also made by placenta
management of obstetric cholestasis
- emollients for itching
- Ursodeoxycholic acid improves LFTs
planned delivery at 37w if severe
antepartum haemorrhage and most common causes
- PV bleeding from 24w
- most common causes - placenta previa, placental abruption, vasa previa
comparison of placenta previa, placental abruption and vasa previa
investigations for APH
- CTG immediately, USS
- if severe then catheterise and monitor hourly urine output
- FBC, group and crossmatch, coag screen, U&E
management of APH
- treat cause
- IV access, analgesia, resuscitation
- if in shock then enact massive haemorrhage protocol
- may need urgent CS
definition of low-lying placenta and placenta praevia
- low lying is within 20mm of internal cervical os
- placenta praevia - placenta is over the internal os
diagnosis of placenta praevia
- normally on 20w anomaly scan
- bleeding normally starts around 36w
management of placenta praevia
- transvaginal USS at 32 and 36w
- corticosteroids between 24-35+6w
- planned CS at 36-37w
- emergency CS if haemorrhage or premature labour
what is placental abruption
placenta/part of it separates from uterus wall - area can bleed extensively
presentation of placental abruption
- Sudden onset severe abdominal pain that is continuous
- APT
- Shock (hypotension and tachycardia)
- Abnormalities on the CTG indicating fetal distress
- Characteristic “woody” abdomen on palpation, suggesting a large haemorrhage
what is a concealed abruption
- cervical os remains closed
- severity can be underestimated
initial management of major/massive APH
o Urgent involvement of a senior obstetrician, midwife and anaesthetist
o 2 x grey cannula
o Bloods include FBC, UE, LFT and coagulation studies
o Crossmatch 4 units of blood
o Fluid and blood resuscitation as required
o CTG monitoring of the fetus
o Close monitoring of the mother
management of placental abruption
- management of bleed
- USS to diagnose
- corticosteroids between 24-34+6w
- may need anti-D
- emergency CS
what is vasa praevia
foetal vessels within the membranes and travel across the internal cervical os - exposed due to lack of Wharton’s jelly
lead to bleeding which can be fatal for fetus due to small blood volume
presentation of vasa praevia
- Ideally diagnosed by USS but not reliable
- May present with antepartum haemorrhage or during labour when membranes seen or if fetal distress + dark red bleeding (high fetal mortality)
management of vasa praevia
- Corticosteroids from 32 weeks then elective CS planned for 34-36 w
- Emergency CS
what is placenta accreta
Placenta implants deeper, through and past the endometrium, making it difficult to separate the placenta after delivery – PPH.
- accreta (surface of myometrium)
- increta (deeply into myometrium)
- percreta (past myometrium and perimetrium)
management of placenta accreta
- diagnosis at USS
- planned CS at 35-36+6
- hysterectomy/uterus preserving surgery/expectant management (leaving to be reabsorbed but risk of infection and bleeding)
indications for continuous CTG monitoring
sepsis, maternal tachycardia, significant meconium, pre-eclampsia, APH, delay in labour, use of oxytocin
key features on a CTG
- Contractions – per 10 minutes
- Baseline rate – the baseline fetal heart rate, reassuring 110-160, non-reassuring or abnormal <100 or >180
- Variability – how the fetal heart rate varies up and down, reassuring 5-25, non-reassuring, abnormal <5 for over 50mins or >25 for over 25mins
- Accelerations – fetal heart rate spikes, generally a good sign
- Decelerations - more concerning (response to hypoxia)
categories for CTG
- Normal
- Suspicious: a single non-reassuring feature
- Pathological: two non-reassuring features or a single abnormal feature
- Need for urgent intervention: acute bradycardia or prolonged deceleration of more than 3 minutes
timescale for managing fetal bradycardia
- 3 minutes – call for help
- 6 minutes – move to theatre
- 9 minutes – prepare for delivery
- 12 minutes – deliver the baby (by 15 minutes)
fetal scalp blood sample - when and what does it measure
- do if pathological fetal HR unless acute (immediate delivery)
- Mostly to measure pH and lactate (fetal compromise and hypoxia) or anaemia from placental damage
fetal blood pH from scalp blood sample
> 7.25 – normal, can repeat in 1h
7.21-7.24 – borderline, repeat in 30min
<7.20 – abnormal, consider delivery
when to induce labour
41-42w, prelabour ROM, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia, obstetric cholestasis, diabetes, intrauterine fetal death
score used to determine where to induce labour
- Bishop score (total score of 13, score of >8 predicts successful induction)
o Fetal station (scored 0 – 3)
o Cervical position (scored 0 – 2)
o Cervical dilatation (scored 0 – 3)
o Cervical effacement (scored 0 – 3)
o Cervical consistency (scored 0 – 2)
methods of labour induction
- membrane sweep done at term
- vaginal prostaglandin via gel, tablet or pessary
- cervical ripening balloon
- ARM +/- oxytocin infusion
- oral mifepristone (anti-progesterone) + misoprostol for still birth
uterine hyperstimulation from induction of labour
- main complication of induction
- contractions lasting >2m or >5 in 10min
- can lead to fetal distress, emergency CS and uterine rupture
- stop inductions and give terbutaline for tocolysis
partogram
- Used for monitoring first stage of labour
- 2 lines on partogram that indicate when labour isn’t progressing:
o Alert line – indication for an amniotomy (artificially rupturing the membranes) and repeat examination in 2h
o Action line – needs to be escalated to obstetric-led care
4 P’s that influence progress in labour
- Power (uterine contractions)
- Passenger (size, presentation and position of the baby)
- Passage (the shape and size of the pelvis and soft tissues)
- Psyche (the support and antenatal preparation)
failure to progress in first stage of labour
<2cm in 4h
slowing of progress
partogram alert line (ARM), action line (further care)
if 2h after ARM no dilation then start oxytocin drip
failure to progress in second stage of labour
when pushing lasts >2h nulliparous/1h multiparous
- power - oxytocin for weak contractions
- passenger/passage - may be impossible needing CS
- change positions, encouragement, analgesia, oxytocin, episiotomy, instrumental delivery, CS
failure to progress in third stage of labour
> 30mins with active management, >60mins with physiological management
active management of third stage of labour
IM oxytocin and controlled cord traction
obstructed labour
- labour dystocia
- labour >24h, insurmountable barrier
- can be fatal to both
- complications - uterine rupture, infection, compression injuries
- IV access, fluids, catheter, assisted delivery/CS
shoulder dystocia
- anterior shoulder stuck behind pubis symphysis after head delivered
EMERGENCY
presentation of shoulder dystocia
- difficulty delivering face
- failure of restitution (doesn’t rotate to OT)
- turtle neck sign - head retracts back into vagina
management of shoulder dystocia
- needs obstetrician, anaesthetist, paediatrician
- episiotomy
- McRoberts manoeuvre (knees to abdomen to provide posterior pelvic tilt)
- pressure on anterior shoulder
- Rubins manoeuvre - hand in vagina pressing baby shoulder
- Wood’s screw manoeuvre
- Zavanelli manoeuvre - push head back in for emergency CS
complications of shoulder dystocia
- Fetal hypoxia (can cause cerebral palsy)
- Brachial plexus injury and Erb’s palsy
- Perineal tears
- Postpartum haemorrhage
breech presentation
- Complete/flexed breech (15%)
- Frank/extended breech (70%)– with hips flexed and knees extended, bottom first
- Footling breech (15%) – with a foot hanging through the cervix
- External cephalic version (ECV) from 37w, 50% success
cord prolapse
- cord descends below the presenting part into the vagina after ROM
- high risk of compression causing fetal hypoxia
management of a cord prolapse
- emergency CS - cord kept warm and wet but don’t touch (causes vasospasm)
- if baby already compressing then push back in, woman in left lateral lie and tocolytic meds to minimise contractions
instrumental delivery
10% of births in UK
single dose co-amox after to prevent maternal infection
indicated when failure to progress, fetal distress, exhaustion
risks to mother from instrumental delivery
PPH, episiotomy, perineal tears, anal sphincter injury, incontinence, nerve injury – obturator (weakness in hip adduction and rotation and numbness of medial thigh) or femoral nerve (weakness of knee extension, loss of patellar reflex and numbness of anterior thigh)