Special Notes Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is regarded as full term?
37-42 weeks
What are some appropriate questions regarding previous pregnancies?
- Any/number of previous pregnancies?
- Prior caesarean secitons/interventions?
- Any complications/problems with previous pregnancies?
- Length of previous labours?
What are some appropriate questions regarding the current pregnancy?
- How many weeks pregnant is the patient?
- Are they expecting a single child or multiple pregnancy?
- Have the membranes ruptured and what was the colour of the fluid?
- Is the patient having contractions? (Assess frequency and duration)
- Does the patient have the urge to push?
- Has the patient felt foetal movements? Is it more or less than usual?
- Have there been any hospital interventions?
- Are there any anticipated problems/complications?
- Has there been any antenatal care?
What happens to the mothers BP during pregnancy?
Initially decreases in 1st and 2nd trimesters and then normalises in the 3rd trimester
What happens to the mothers HR during pregnancy?
Increases by 15-20bpm
Normal pregnancy HR = 80 - 110
What happens to the mothers CO during pregnancy?
Increases by 30-40%
What happens to the mothers RR during pregnancy?
Increases by 2-3bpm (15%)
14-19 bpm at term
What happens to the mothers O2 demands during pregnancy?
Increases by 15-20%
What happens to the mothers tidal volume during pregnancy?
Increases by 25-40%
What happens to the mothers minute ventilation during pregnancy?
Increases by 25-50%
11-19L/min at term
What happens to the mother blood volume during pregnancy?
Increases 30-50%
What happens to the mothers haemoglobin levels during pregnancy?
Increases by 20-30% however this is less than total blood volume gains and so physiological anaemia occurs
If greater than 20/40 how should the pregnant patient be transported?
- If supine, place in a 30 degree left lateral tilt to help with BP as a result of aorta-caval compression
- If the patient requires spinal immobilisation then packaged and tilted as a unit to 15 degrees
How much of her circulating blood volume may a pregnant mother lose before showing signs of shock?
30-35% (2L)
Where should a maternity patient be transported to if birth is deemed imminent?
The closest hospital with a maternity service
What is the appropriate destination when transporting either a baby born outside hospital or a woman in labour (>36 weeks and uncomplicated birth anticipated)?
Maternity unit that the patient was booked into
What is the appropriate destination for a patient in labour who is 32-36weeks?
Consult PIPER for destination
What is the appropriate destination for a woman in labour who is <32 weeks?
Transport to the closest NICU facility:
- Royal Women’s Hospital
- Mercy Hospital for Women Heidelberg
- Monash Medical Centre Clayton
