DRANZCOG/Obstetrics Flashcards
Risk factors for shoulder dystocia
At least 50% of shoulder dystocias have no identifiable risk factors!
Antenatal (5):
- previous shoulder dystocia
- macrosomia
- maternal DM
- maternal obesity
- post-term pregnancy
Intrapartum (5)
- prolonged 1st stage
- prolonged 2nd stage
- labour augmentation
- instrumental delivery
- post-term pregnancy
Consequences of a shoulder dystocia
Neonatal (4)
- brachial plexus injury (Erb’s palsy)
- fractures (humeral and clavicular)
- hypoxia
- stillbirth
Maternal (6)
- PPH
- severe vaginal and perineal trauma (3rd and 4th degree tears)
- cervical tears
- uterine rupture
- bladder rupture
- psychological distress
When to suspect shoulder dystocia
- prolonged birth of face and chin
- head emerges and retracts against the perineum (turtle sign)
- fetus fails to undergo external rotation
- the anterior shoulder does not emerge with routine axial traction
Reassuring features on intrapartum CTG
Baseline FHR 110-160 bpm
Baselines variability of 5-25 bpm
No decels OR early decles OR variable decelerations with NO concerning features for less than 90 minutes
Non-reassuring features on intrapartum CTG
Baseline FHR 100-109 OR 161-180
Variability <5 for 30-50 minutes OR >252 for 15-25 minutes
Variable decels WITHOUT concerning characteristics for 90 minutes +
OR
variable decels with any concerning characteristics in <50% of contractions for 30 minutes +
OR
variable decels with any concerning characteristics in OVER 50% of contractions for LESS than 30 minutes
OR
Late decels in >50% of contractions for <30 minutes with no maternal or fetal clinical risk (e.g. signficicant mec, PV bleeding etc. )
ABNORMAL features of an intrapartum CTG
Baseline FHR <100 or >180
Variability <5 for more than 50 minutes OR >25 for more than 25 minutes OR Sinusoidal
Variable decels with any concerning characteristics in >50% of contractions for 30 minutes (or less if maternal of fetal clinical risk factors)
OR
Late decels for 30 minutes
OR
Acute bradycardia, or single prolonged deceleration lasting 3 minutes or more
Concerning characteristics of variable decelerations
>60 seconds duration Reduced baseline variability within the deceleration Failure to return to baseline Biphasic (W) shape No shouldering
Interpretation of normal v suspicious etc. intrapartum CTG
Normal = all reassuring features
Suspicious = 1 non-reassuring feature + 2 reassuring features
Pathological - 1 ABNORMAL feature OR 2 non-reassuring features
Urgent intervention required: acute bradycardia, or single prolonged deceleration 3+ minutes
Features to assess when describing decelerations on CTG
- timing related to peak of contractions
- duration of individual decels
- if FHR returns to baseline
- how long have decelerations been present
- do they occur with >50% of contractions
- presence of a biphasic (W) shape)
- presence or absence of shouldering
- normal or reduced variability WITHIN the deceleration
Definition of antepartum haemorrhage
Bleeding from the genital tract after the 20th week of pregnancy, and before the onset of labour
Epidemiology of antepartum haemorrhage
Occurs in 2-5% of all pregnancies
Up to 20% of preterm babies are born in association with APH
Causes of antepartum haemorrhage
- (non-vaginal e.g. PR bleed)
- Distal genital tract/gynae causes
- cervical (ectropion, polyp, cervicitis, cervical dilatation, cervical incompetence)
- Placental (praevia, abruption, abnormal placentation, abnormal shape, marginal bleed)
- Uterine (rupture)
- Foetal (vasa praevia)
Relevant history to obtain in woman presenting with antepartum haemorrhage
Gestation
Location of placenta
Bleeding: time of first bleed, pattern, previous APH (this pregnancy or previous)
- Potential causes (postcoital, trauma, exertion)
- CST results
- Pain (site, commencement, frequency, strength, duration)
Maternal assessment in antepartum haemorrhage
ABCs
Abdominal palpation (gently) for SFH, lie, presentation, tenderness
USS: placental location if not known
Blood loss (amount, colour, consistency)
Uterine activity and consistency
Bloods (CBE, Group and save +/- crossmatch if heavy bleeding, coagulation profile, Kleihauer if Rh negative)
Speculum examination - swabs (STI, LVS, HVS) and consider CST if not performed in the last 3 months + clear cervical bleeding
(CTG for fetal assessment)
Epidemiology of placental abruption
1% of births
- 20-35% of these are concealed, rest are revealed
Perinatal mortality rate of 11.9%
Risk factors for placental abruption
Maternal:
- hypertension
- thrombophilias
- increased parity
- poor nutrition
- previous abruption (~10% risk of recurrent)
- cigarette smoking
- substance abuse (esp. cocaine)
Uterine factors:
- Prolonged ROM (especially if PPROM)
- chorioamnionitis
- severe IUGR
- polyhydramnios (sudden decrease in uterine volume post SROM)
- Multiple pregnancy (sudden decrease in uterine volume following delivery of twin 1)
- abdominal trauma
- ECV
Presentation in placental abruption
Vaginal bleeding associated with PAIN, usually very distressed (out of proportion to amount of bleeding)
Usually dark, non-clotting b lood
Abdominal pain Or uterine contractions/tenderness/irritability
Can be associated with faint/collapse or haemorrhagic shock
Complications/associations of placental abruption (9)
- preterm labour
- foetal compromise
- uterine irritability (>5:10 contractions)
- coagulopathy
- disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
- postpartum haemorrhage
- renal failure
- Acute tubular necrosis (from hypovolaemia and DIC)
- perinatal mortality
What is the most common OBSTETRIC cause of coagulopathy
Placental abruption
Management in placental abruption
- IV access
- IDC and fluid balance
- Close maternal obs + CTG
- Resuscitation as indicated
- Urgent Group and cross-match, CBE, Coagulation studies, D-dimer, fibrinogen levels, EUC, LFT
- Anti-D prophylaxis for Rh neg (+ Kleihauer)
- delivery (LSCS if acute fetal compromise or other indication - be prepared for precipitous labour)
- prepare for increased risk of PPH
- examine placenta and send for histopathology
Perineal injury classifications
1st deg: injury to skin only
Second degree: injury to perineal muscles but NOT the anal sphincter
3rd degree: injury involving anal sphincter complex
3a: <50% external anal sphincter thickness torn
3b: >50% external anal sphincter rotn
3c: Internal anal sphincter town
4th degree: injury involving anal sphincter complex AND anal epithelium
Appropriate analgesia to use for perineal repair
1% lignocaine +/- adrenaline (or equiv)
Without adrenaline is preferred for labial tears to reduce risk of tissue ischaemia
Preferred suturing technique for vaginal wall and muscle layer
Continuous, non-locked
Approximate epidemiology of perineal injury
25% of NVD: intact perineum
12% episiotomy
40% tear requiring repair
Other minor tears that don’t require repair
Women with epidural higher risk of instrumental delivery and associated perineal morbidities