Contraception, Pre-conception and Infertility Flashcards
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin
Placental derived glycoprotein
Composed of 2 subunits - alpha and beta
Maintains the corpus luteum for the first 7 weeks of gestation
Half life of 6-24hrs
Rises to a peak in pregnancy at 9-11 weeks
Infertility
Female investigations
FSH, LH (day 2-4) 21 day progesterone Rubella and varicella serology TSH TVUS Test tubal patency with hysteroscopy and dye studies
Infertility
Male investigations
Testosterone
Sperm analysis and anti-sperm antibodies
Effects of smoking on pregnancy
More difficult to fall pregnant
Increased risk of: miscarriage, IUGR, premature labour, placenta abruption, placenta praevia
Baby is at increased risk of SIDS and respiratory illness
Effects of alcohol on pregnancy
FAS (congenital cardiac, brain and spine defects, intellectual and behavioural difficulties)
IUGR
Permanent contraception options
Male: vasectomy
Female: tubal ligation, transcervical sterilisation (Essure), hysterectomy
Tubal ligation Complications
Risks of GA
Increased risk of ectopic pregnancies
Damage to surrounding organs (e.g. bowel and bladder)
Contraception options:
COCP (needs to be taken same time every day, no protection against STIs)
POP (less effective than COCP, no STI protection)
Depot Provera (irregular bleeding, weight gain, no STI prevention, lasts 3 months)
Implanon (lasts 3 years, irregular bleeding, no STI protection)
IUD - Mirena (inserted into uterus by doc, hard in nulliparous women, no STI protection)
Diaphragm (inserted over cervix 6hrs prior and 6hrs after sex, has STI protection)
Male and female condoms (effective if used correctly, offer STI protection)
SIDS
Decreased incidence when both parents cease smoking
Epilepsy
Requires 5mg folic acid to prevent neural tube defects
Spina bifida
Prevented by taking 0.4mg folic acid for 3 months pre-conception
