Obs & Gynae Flashcards
(142 cards)
Information to know from woman before pregnancy
Age
PMH
Medications and allergies
Smoking and alcohol
previous pregnancies?
periods?
any problems having sex
FHx of any conditions or problems in pregnancy
Supplements for conception
everyone should be taking folic acid
higher dose if raised BMI, previous history or family history of NTD or taking antiepileptic medication, diabetes or other medical problems
some women should be taking vitamin D
booking visit
once woman knows she is pregnant
appt with the midwife to discuss pregnancy and assess risks in pregnancy
health screen (PMH etc)+ dip urine, BP, + bloods for Hb, platelets, infections, blood group +rhesus, sickle cell/thalaassaemia if high risk
12 week scan
dating the pregnancy
taking measurements including nuchal thickness (part of Down syndrome screening)
how does b-HCG change during pregnancy
rises after conception to peak at about 3 months then declines slowly. keeps the CL alive so it can produce oestrogen and progesterone
doubles every 48 hours until peak (>53% increase okay)
produced by the placenta
higher in multiple pregnancies and can be higher in a Down’s syndrome pregnancy
declines steadily in failing pregnancy
how do oestrogen and progesterone levels change during pregnancy
initially produced by the ovaries (corpus luteum)
placenta then takes over after about 3 months
oestrogen and progesterone levels steadily increase throughout pregnancy
drop just before labour which allows for delivery
what does rising oestrogen levels do to the uterus
prepares for delivery by increasing oxytocin receptors in the uterus
what is progesterones role in pregnancy
smooth muscle relaxant (can lead to reflux, constipation and urethral relaxation) and maintains uterus lining
normal physiological changes in pregnancy
initially BP decreases due to increased stroke volume and decreased peripheral resistance
oedema is physiological due to increased plasma volume
anaemia - increased plasma volume and increased RBC volume
hyper coagulability - increased clotting factors
changes to female reproductive system during pregnancy
breast enlargement under oestrogen and progesterone and areolar pigmentation
development of cervical mucus plug under oestrogen effect
vaginal proliferation of lactobacilli lowering pH
risk factors for a high risk pregnancy
- older age
- some ethnicities at higher risk
- previous pregnancy complications; premature labour, growth restriction, haemorrhage, pre eclampsia, gestational diabetes, tears, still birth, miscarriage
- medical or mental health conditions
- FHx
- social history; abuse, financial difficulty
20 week scan
anomaly scan where anatomy of foetus is assessed for any abnormalities
Down syndrome screening
Nuchal thickness at dating scan; increased thickness higher risk
Blood test for Pregnancy associated plasma protein - A (PAPP-A) and HCG
Describes combined test
These combined with mothers age give predicted risk
If high risk or nuchal thickness unmeasurable then quad test; blood test for AFP, Inhibin A, Oestriol and Beta-HCG. between 14 and 20 weeks of pregnancy
Diagnostic tests; chorionic villous sampling or an amniocentesis
screening for gestational diabetes
at booking appointment midwife assesses for risk factors
- BMI >30
- Indian or black ethnicity
- FHx of FDG with DM
- PCOS
- previous macrosomic baby
- previous gestational diabetes
if any risk factors OGTT at 26-28 weeks
Anti-D in pregnancy
any woman who is found to be Rhesus -ve is at risk of Rhesus disease of the newborn
‘prophylactic Anti-D’, a 1500iu dose, is given at 28 weeks
The baby’s blood is tested at birth, and if it is also Rh-ve, then the risk is very low
what is rhesus disease of the newborn
If a fetus is Rh+ve and the mother Rh-ve, the maternal antibodies and fetal antibodies can react and have potentially serious consequences
Mothers are counselled to report potential ‘sensitising events’ which may increase passage of fetal blood cells into the maternal circulation, where a reaction may take place
Sensitising events can include spontaneous miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, invasive procedures, traumatic events, placental abruption, fetomaternal haemorrhage, blood transfusions
May not affect current pregnancy but once sensitised can be severe in next pregnancy
growth assessment in pregnancy
in low risk pregnancy midwife monitors using symphisis-fundus height
plotted on growth charts
if any change can be referred
pre-existing disorders with a risk of foetal abnormality
diabetes, epilepsy, obesity
diabetes can also cause excessive growth and stillbirth risk
HTN risk factor for poor growth
pre-existing disorders and maternal risk
risks of pre-eclampsia; HTN, diabetes, renal disease, SLE
risks of gestational diabetes; obesity, steroid use
what diseases can worsen or improve in pregnancy
worse; renal and cardiac disease and diabetes
improve; autoimmune disorders such as RA and MS but relapse often follows delivery
target ranges for glucose monitoring during pregnancy
avoid hypos. minimum 4
fasting <5.3
1 hour post meal 7.8
common drugs contraindicated or cautioned in pregnancy
Contraindicated: NSAIDs, ramipril in 2nd and 3rd trimester, isotretinoin, sodium valproate, trimethoprim in 1st trimester, statins, nitrofurantoin near term, warfarin, methotrexate
Caution: Carbimazole & Propylthiouracil (don’t use after 1st trimester), lamotrigine, , SSRIs discuss with woman; these drugs are often still used as they are safer to the alternatives
risks to foetus of gestational diabetes
Macrosomia, Polyhydramnios, Shoulder Dystocia, Stillbirth, Neonatal Hypoglycaemia and Expedited delivery
risks of raised maternal BMI in pregnancy
Pre-eclampsia, VTE risk, difficulties intrapartum including monitoring of fetus and anaesthetic risk, and postpartum risks including PPH, and infection and VTE