Women's Health Flashcards
When should you take folic acid during pregnancy and why?
Before pregnancy ideally - up until 12 weeks pregnant
You cannot get enough of it through diet during pregnancy
Helps prevent risk of neural tube defects - e.g spina bifida, cleft palate
What is the normal dose of folic acid mothers should take when pregnant?
400micrograms daily
When would you take a higher dose of 5mg folic acid?
If you have a previous baby with neural tube defect
If you or your partner have a neural tube defect
If you are taking an antiepileptic medications
If you have diabetes, obesity or Crohn’s disease
When is the booking appointment and what is done there?
8-10 weeks pregnant
Full history taken and risk is assessed
When is the dating scan and what is done there?
12 weeks
Scan is able to date the pregnancy (give a due date)
Measurements are taken from the nuchal fold for downs test
When does anomaly screening happen and what is involved?
12 weeks
Test for Down’s syndrome
Triple test: nuchal translucency measurement (from sca) PAPP-A and beta HCG
If the screening for Down’s syndrome is deemed high risk then how can it be diagnosed?
Amniocentesis - 2% risk of miscarriage
Chorionic villus sampling - 1% risk of miscarriage
NIPT (non invasive prenatal blood test) - this is not on NHS currently but carries less risk of miscarriage
When does the anomaly scan happen?
18-20 weeks
When would a mother be offered the OGTT at 26 weeks?
If she is at risk for developing GDM: BMI >30 Ethnic origins - black African, Indian Family history of diabetes PCOS Previous macrosomia Previous GDM
What is a normal OGTT?
<5.1 fasting
<7.8 2 hour after glucose drink
When is anti D given?
To all Rhesus negative mothers
At 28 weeks (prophylactic dose)
At 34 weeks
48 hours after delivery
What is the role of oestrogen during pregnancy?
It increases the amount of oxytocin receptors within the uterus to prepare the body for delivery
It helps develop the breast tissue for feeding
What is the role of progesterone during pregnancy?
Acts as a smooth muscle relaxant
Maintains the uterus lining
Causes enlargement of the breast lobules - for milk to be secreted into
When does beta HCG peak during pregnancy?
At 8 weeks
What blood tests are offered prior to pregnancy?
FBC - check for anaemia
G&S - check blood group (looking for rhesus anti D)
Virus screen - Hep B, syphilis, HIV
When is the quadruple test used and what is it?
Testing for Down’s syndrome
If you are too late for the combined test (between 14-20 weeks)
Blood test - AFP, inhibin A, Oestriol, Beta HCG
What is the normal changes to BP during pregnancy?
BP normally drops
This is due to a drop in vascular resistance
What are the haematological changes during pregnancy?
Increase in plasma volume by 40%
Increase in RBC volume by 25%
This can lead to anaemia as there is a greater increase in plasma volume compared to the increase in RBC volume
Why do you get peripheral odema in pregnancy?
Due to an increase in plasma volume
Why is pregnancy known as a hypercoagubility state?
Due to an increase in clotting factors during pregnancy
This happens to prevent losing too much blood during labour and birth
However it increases the risk of blood clots during pregnancy
Which factors would make a women high risk during pregnancy?
Advanced maternal age >40 Low maternal age <20 Certain medical conditions Previous surgery IVF treatment Previous Caesarean section Previous problems in pregnancy - hypertension, grown restriction, GDM, fetal abnormalities
How is the symphysis fundal height measured?
Why is it measured?
Get women to empty bladder first - this can add 2-3cm to measurement
Measure from highest point of fundus to symphysis pubis
Plot on growth chart
What is good pre-pregnancy counselling?
Reduce BMI <30 Optimise any health conditions Take folic acid and vitamin D Exercise as normal Check for MMR Vaccine
What is the pre-pregnancy planning for women with diabetes?
Take 5mg folic acid OD
Switched to metformin or insulin (safe in pregnancy)
Aim for HbA1c <48
Screening for retinopathy and nephropathy (if not had in 6 months)
Check U&Es
When would a diabetic women be advised against pregnancy?
If HbA1c >86
What are the glucose targets for diabetic mothers during pregnancy?
Fasting <5.3
1 hour post meal <7.8
What extra care should be given to patients with diabetes during pregnancy?
Aspirin 75mg OD - started before 12 weeks (this reduces risk of pre-eclampsia)
Regular monitoring of glucose levels
Regular contact with midwife (Every 2 weeks)
Retinal and renal assessment at 1st appointment
Serial Scans every 4 weeks from 28 weeks (in uncomplicated diabetes)
What are the risks of diabetes on pregnancy?
Miscarriage PET Renal dysfunction Infection Congenital malformations Still Birth
Why does GDM occur during pregnancy?
Hormone production in pregnancy stimualtes the production of glucose (to ensure energy levels are high in pregnancy)
Hormones in pregnancy can also instigate insulin resistance - so glucose is unable to be taken up by cells (to ensure glucose is readily available for the baby)
However if this happens to excess then there is too much circulating glucose (GDM)
What is fetal macrosomia?
Why is it more common in diabetes or GDM?
Enlargement of the fetus >4.5kg
High glucose levels in fetus drives production of insulin. Insulin stimulates fat storage and organ growth
What is polyhydramnios and when is it more common?
Excess liquor around baby - occurs more in macrosomic babies
What is shoulder dystocia?
Where shoulders get stuck after head is delivered
More common in macrosomia babies
How is the timing of delivery planned for diabetic or GDM patients?
Offer women delivery between 37-40 weeks by LSCS or IOL
Offer women on insulin delivery by 38 weeks
Women with GDM delivery should be no later than 40+6
Women with macrosomia (>4.5kg) should have elective LSCS due to concerns regarding shoulder dystocia
Why should diabetic mothers breastfeed within 30 mins of labour?
When should fetal blood glucose be checked after birth?
Risk of fetal hypoglycaemia
Check fetal blood glucose every 2-4 hours after birth
When will women with GDM return to normal?
Straight away
All glucose reducing agents should be stopped immediately after delivery
Are women who have GDM more at risk of developing type II diabetes?
Yes
They should have a fasting glucose test 6-12 weeks after birth
How is diabetes controlled during pregnancy?
1st line - diet
2nd line - metformin
3rd line - insulin
What is the optimal timing of LSCS delivery in non diabetic patients and why?
> 39 weeks
Before this the fetus lungs are not fully developed
They are more at risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ADRS)
Why are steroids given to mothers who have early induction of labour?
For fetal lung maturity
What might be the affect of giving steroids to diabetic mothers?
How is this monitored
Can lead to hyperglycaemia - occurs 24-48 hours from administration
Slide and scale monitor for this period of time
What is the difference between pregnancy induced hypertension and PET?
Pregnancy induced hypertension - hypertension after 20 weeks without proteinuria
PET - hypertension after 20 weeks with proteinuria
How is PET diagnosed?
BP >140/90 on 2 occasions 4 hours apart
Proteinuria >300mg/24 hours or >30mg/mmol on PCR
What are the symptoms of PET?
Severe headache (due to oedema on brain)
Visual changes (Blurred vision / spots before eyes)
Oedema (Swelling in hands and face)
Epigastric pain
Vomiting
Hyperreflexia - this is more a specific sign
What is the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia ?
It is a placental disease
An abnormal placenta leads to poor placental perfusion
This causes the placenta to release factors
These factors activate the vascular endothelium and cause dysfunction
This leads to hypertension
What is HELLP?
A severe form of pre-eclampsia whose features include:
Haemolysis
Elevated Liver enzymes
Low Platelets
How is pre-eclampsia managed?
Asprin 75mg - given from 12 weeks to anyone at risk
BP medications - labetalol, nifedipine and methyl dopa
Fluid restriction - to reduce pulmonary odema
Magnesium sulphate - seizure prevention
What are the risk factors for PET?
Nullparity (or first birth from different dad) Age >40 Pregnancy interval >10 years Family or personal history of PET Multiple pregnancies BMI >35 Vascular or kidney disease Smoking
When is labetalol contraindicated in pregnancy?
If the patient has asthma
When is FBC checked during pregnancy routinely?
Why?
Booking appt (8 weeks) 28 weeks
Look for anaemia
What is gestational thrombocytopenia?
Low platelet count in pregnancy
Up to pregnant women get this
There is no increase in bleeding risk unless platelets fall below 100
What is small for gestational age (SGA)?
Difference between SGA and FGR
When the fetus is born with a birth weight below the 10th centile. These babies will have a small growth curve throughout the pregnancy
Not all babies with SGA have FGR - 50-70% of babies are constitutionally small
What is FGR?
Fetal growth restriction
Failure of fetus to reach pre determined growth
These babies will start off with a normal growth curve and then plateau off
What is the difference between symmetrical FGR and asymmetrical FGR?
Symmetrical - where head and abdomen are equally small
(due to insult early in pregnancy - cogenital abnormalites, intrauterine infections, substance abuse)
Asymmetrical - where blood is directed to head/brain and heart, and abdominal fat stores are reduced (due to late insult in pregnancy - maternal smoking, hypertension)
What are the major risk factors for FGR?
Smoking (>11 a day) Maternal age >40 Diseases - renal, hypertension, diabetes Heavy PV bleeding Low PAPP-A Cocaine use Paternal or maternal SGA Antiphospholipid syndrome
What are the minor risk factors for FGR?
IVF pregnancy Nulloiparity BMI <20 or >25 Smoking (1-10 a day) Previous PET
Which patients are unsuitable for fundal growth height monitoring?
How do you assess these patients?
Patients with fibroids
BMI >35
Serial scans from 28 weeks to check for FGR
What would you do if you suspected FGR from the growth chart?
Arrange an USS scan
Get an estimated fetal weight (EFW)
Check liquor volume - if below expected this may indicate FGR
Umbilical artery Doppler - check blood flow to the placenta
How is FGR managed?
If in early pregnancy - check for cogenital abnormlaites, give steroids and monitor
If in late pregnancy - give steroids and consider delivery
What is the APGAR scoring?
This is a test performed on the baby at 1 and 5 minutes after birth: A - appearance (are they blue or pink) P - pulse (pulse should be over 100) G - grimace (are they crying) A - activity (are they moving) R - respiration (is the baby breathing)
What is a normal APGAR score?
Over 7
When is aspirin given in pregnancy?
If diabetic
If at risk of developing PET
What are the thresholds for anaemia in pregnancy?
<110 in 1st trimester
<105 in 2nd trimester
<100 in 3rd trimester
How is iron deficiency anaemia managed in pregnancy?
Dietary information given
Ferrous sulphate iron replacement is given
What pharmacological agents can be used in the management of post-partum haemorrhage?
Syntocinon Syntometrine Ergometrine Misoprostol Carboprost Transexamic acid
What is the definition of PPH?
Loss of 500mL or more within 24 hours of birth
Minor - 500-1000
Major >1000
Severe >2000
What is the management of PPH?
Bloods - G&S, FBC, Coagulation screen
Obs - pulse, resp rate, BP every 15 mins
Fluids - warmed crystalloid infusion
Blood transfusion - for major PPH
What are the different causes for heavy menstrual bleeding?
Normal - some women can just have heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Endometrial polyps
Endometriosis
PCOS
Endometrial cancer (especially if >45 years old)
What non gynaolocigcal causes do you have to rule out in a patient with heavy menstrual bleeding?
Haemophilia
Von villebrands disease
New medication: anticoagulants
What are the management options for heavy menstrual periods? (Where there is no underlying pathology)
Contraception - mirena coil, or POP (progesterone supresses mensturation)
NSAIDS - reduce prostaglandin (which is linked to heavy periods)
Mefanamic acid (NSAID)
Endometrial ablation
Hysterectomy
Tranexamic acid - to prevent excessive blood loss
What are Fibroids?
What is the pathophysiology?
Non cancerous growths that develop in the uterus
They are thought to grow in the presence of oestrogen - will tend to shrink after menopause
How are fibroids managed?
Can be left alone if not causing symptoms
Myomectomy - surgery to remove
Uterine artery embolisation - shrinks fibroids
Hysterectomy
What are the symptoms you might get with fibroids?
Heavy periods Sensation of pelvic mass - described as pressure in pelvis Abdominal pain Lower back pain Urinary frequency Constipation Pain during sex
What is the most common type of fibroid?
Intramural
Develops inside of the muscle wall in the womb
What are GNRHs and how do they work?
Gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues given to help treat symptoms caused by fibroids
Given by injection - act on the pituitary gland to stop production of oestrogen
Can stop menstrual cycle - but are not a form of contraception
When would GNRHs be used for fibroids?
If a women is just before menopause and is still getting symptoms from the fibroids
Given before surgery to shrink fibroids
What are the side effects of taking GNRHs
They stop oestrogen production - so can bring on menopause like symptoms
Also cause risk of osteoporosis (due to lack of oestrogen)
What are the different types of medication given to shrink fibroids?
GnRHas
Ulipristal acetate
What are the red flag symptoms in regard to PV bleeding?
Age >45 Intermenstural bleeding Postcoital bleeding Post menopausal bleeding Abnormal examination findings e.g,pelvic mass or cervix lesion Treatment failure after 3 months
What are the main risks of a mirena coil?
Ovarian cysts Acne Mood changes Breast soreness Weight gain (not proven) Risk of expulsion of coil into the myometrium Risk of perforation Risk of infection
What is the difference between an early and late miscarriage?
Early - before 12 weeks gestation
Late - between 12-24 weeks gestation
Why might a women have a miscarriage?
They are common - 15% of recognised pregnancies result in miscarriage
Chromosomal abnormalities (50%) - problems with early replication
Fetal malformations
Placental abnormalities
What are the risk factors for having a miscarriage?
Multiple pregnancies Advanced maternal/paternal age Lifestyle: Smoking, alcohol, high BMI, stress Previous TOP Previous miscarriage IVF Chronic illnesses - thyroid, diabetes, PCOS Uterine malformations - fibroids, polyps Medications - e.g, teratogens
What are the 2 separate things seen on USS that indicate a miscarriage?
Embryo >7mm with NO fetal heart action
Gestational sac diameter >25mm wth no yolk sac or embryo
If an embryo is less than 7mm on USS and with no fetal heart heart beat what does this mean?
Could mean that the baby is still too small to hear heart beat
Could mean a miscarriage - have to watch and wait
What is a threatened miscarriage?
Anyone who is less than 24 weeks pregnant that presents with vaginal bleeding
What is an inevitable miscarriage?
Where the cervix is open on examination - therefore the miscarriage is about to be imminently passed in the next few hours
What is a complete miscarriage?
Where all the pregnancy tissue is passed from the uterus
What is an incomplete miscarriage?
Where some of the pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus
What is a delayed miscarriage?
Where the pregnancy has stopped growing, or the fetus has died but there has been no signs of bleeding
So when a miscarriage has happened without anyone noticing
How would you manage someone that had come in with a suspected miscarriage?
Vital signs - check for hypovolamia
Exam - abdominal exam to rule out ectopic
Bloods - FBC, G&S, serum HCG
USS - to look for signs of miscarriage
Swab - if there are signs of infections, must rule out a septic miscarriage
What are the 3 main management options if someone has a miscarriage?
Expectant management - wait for products to bleed out
Medical management - give misoprostol to stimulate miscarriage
Surgical management - surgically remove pregnancy from womb
Why might you advise against expectant management of miscarriage?
Can vary from days to weeks before miscarriage happens - degree of uncertainty
Can have severe bleeding - risk of anaemia
Seeing the pregnancy pass at home alone may be distressing
What is misoprostol?
Prostaglandin used to start uterine contraction and the passing of pregnancy tissue
What are the risks with surgical management of miscarriage?
Infection
Uterine perforation
GA risk
How can an ectopic pregnancy present?
Abdominal pain
Shoulder tip pain - due to peritoneal diaphragmatic irritation from blood
Rectal pain or diarrhoea - due to blood irritation
Vaginal bleeding - may or may not have this
What are the differentials to consider for ectopic pregnancy?
Miscarriage
Corpus luteum cyst
Appendicitis
What is the management of suspected ectopic pregnancy?
Obvs - looking for hypovolemic shock
Examination - abdo may be tender, cervical excitation
Large bore cannula
Bloods - FBC, G&S, betaHCG
USS - may show ectopic pregnancy (if not then this does not exclude it)
How does betaHCG levels differ in normal pregnancy, failing pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy?
Normal - increases by >63% every 48 hours
Failing - will fall sometimes
Ectopic - unpredictable (can behave normally or like falling, or do something different)
At what level of betaHCG would you expect to see an intrauterine pregnancy on USS?
Once betaHCG reaches 1000
What are the 3 types of management for ectopic pregnancies?
Surgical
Medical
Conservative (expectant)
When would you perform surgical management of ectopic pregnancy?
When patient is haemodynamically unstable
When betaHCG is >5000
When USS mass is >3.5cm
What happens during surgical management of ectopic pregnancy?
Laparoscopic salphingectomy
The Fallopian tube with ectopic in is removed
What is the most common site for ectopic pregnancy?
Fallopian tube
What is the medical management of ectopic pregnancy?
How does it work?
Intramuscular (IM) Methotrexate
Works by preventing proliferation of pregnancy tissue
When would you give medical management for ectopic pregnancy?
If patient is pain free
If beta HCG <5000 (<3000 more ideal)
What do you need to counsel to a patient before giving methotrexate for treating ectopic pregnancy?
May not work - may need a 2nd dose if betaHCG isn’t falling
Can be painful
Can effect liver - so LFTs must be monitored
Must avoid getting pregnant for 3 months after - due to teratogenic properties of methotrexate
Must avoid alcohol and NSAIDs for 3 months after - due to effect on liver
When would conservative management for ectopic pregnancy be offered?
If the patient has no symptoms
If betaHCG <1500
If mass on USS is <3.5cm
If a women has one ectopic pregnancy what does she need to be counselled about regarding future pregnancies?
10% risk of recurrence - this is because it is normally due to damage to Fallopian tube which will either still be there, or have similar damage in other tube
She will be offered an USS at 7 weeks to confirm pregnancy is intrauterine
What are the risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy?
Anything that causes damage to the Fallopian tubes: PID Smoking - effects mucus clearance Tubal surgery IVF IUD POP - as this reduces cilia movements
What is a molar pregnancy?
A pregnancy which develops as a result of imbalance in the amount of genetic material when the embryo first develops
What is molar pregnancy a risk factor for?
Cancer
It is a precancerous form - can progress to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTD)
What are the two types of molar pregnancies?
Complete mole
Partial molar
What is a complete molar pregnancy?
Where a single sperm goes into empty ovum and then sperm divides in two
OR
Where two sperm go into an empty ovum
What is a partial molar pregnancy?
Where 2 sperm enter a normal ovum - you get 69 chromosomes
What % of molar pregnancies need chemotherapy?
Complete molar - 15% need chemo
Partial molar - 0.5% need chemo
What is the management of a molar pregnancy?
USS - to confirm Bloods - FBC, G&S, LFTs (may need methotrexate), beta HCG IV fluids - stabalise Medical management - methotrexate Surgical evacuation if needed
How would you counsel someone who has had a molar pregnancy?
Not to get pregnant for 6 months after
Will need follow up in specialist centre
What is the pathophysiology of hyperemesis gravidarum?
Production of betaHCG during pregnancy
BetaHCG causes nausea and vomiting
Why can you get hyperthyroidism during the first trimester of pregnancy?
Why is it self limiting?
BetaHCG acts like TSH
Binds to receptors causing production of T4
This leads to hyperthyroidism
Beta HCG peaks at 12 weeks so hyperthyroidism should level off when beta HCG decreases
What are the risk factors for hyperemesis gravidarum?
Multiple pregnancies
Molar pregnancies
What investigations should be done and why when someone presents with vomiting during pregnancy?
FBC - look for infection G&S - sepsis? U&Es - look for electrolyte imbalances TFTs - hyperthyroidism assocaited with hyperemesis Beta HCG - diagnostic for hyperemesis Calcium phosphate Amylase - rule out pancreatitis as cause LFTs - exclude gallstones, hepatitis Urine dip - look for ketones
How the severity of hyperemesis gravidarum assessed?
PUQE score
Pregnancy unique quantification of emesis
How is hyperemesis gravidarum managed?
If mild, If ketones <2 or PUQE score <13:
Oral antiemetics, ginger
If ketones >2
Admit for rehydration - cannula IV fluids and antiemetics (cyclizine)
IV potassium - to correct electrolyte imbalances
Thiamine supplementation - should be given to all women admitted with prolonged vomiting to prevent wernickes encephalopathy
VTE prophylaxis - LMWH
Steroid replacement - if other treatment has failed
Paranatel nutrition - if all else fails
What are the differentials for abnormal discharge?
Bacterial vaginosis
Candida (thrush)
STIs - chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, herpes
Cervical ca
When are the routine smear tests for women carried out?
Aged 25-49 every 3 years
Aged 50-64 every 5 years
What happens at a smear test?
Use a fine brush that goes into the cervix and is rotated several times to ‘scrape’ the cells off the cervix
What does dyskaryosis mean?
This means abnormal nucleus
It is based on how abnormal the cells on the cervix look during a smear