WOMEN'S HEALTH 1 - Obstetrics Flashcards
(319 cards)
What is meant by baby blues? How long does it last for?
a period of low mood and irritability, which normally starts three to four days after birth, and lasts for 1-2 weeks.
Symptoms are usually mild, only last a few days and resolve within two weeks of delivery. No treatment is required.
Happens in over 50% of mothers
What is seen in Postnatal depression? How long must symptoms be going on before a diagnosis can be made?
a depressive episode within the first twelve months postpartum, peak incidence is 2 months after birth
Postnatal depression is similar to depression that occurs outside of pregnancy, with the classic triad of:
Low mood
Anhedonia (lack of pleasure in activities)
Low energy
Symptoms should last at least two weeks before postnatal depression is diagnosed.
What percentage of mothers experience post natal depression? What screening tools can be used to establish this?
Edinburgh Postnatal depression score - Score of 10 or more can indicate depression
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
Around 10% of mothers will experience post natal depression
What is some of the treatment for post natal depression? What would be the medication of choice
self-help strategies and non-directive counselling (‘listening visits’ by a health visitor).
Moderate to severe depression usually requires treatment with antidepressant medication and/or psychotherapy (CBT).
Breast-feeding is not a contraindication for antidepressant treatment, but drugs with low excretion in breastmilk, such as sertraline, are preferred.
High levels of Fluoxetine can transfer in breast milk
What is the problem with SSRIs in pregnancy?
Can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome (also known as neonatal adaptation syndrome).
It presents in the first few days after birth with symptoms such as irritability and poor feeding.
What is seen in postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis – 1-2:1000
Depression
Mania
Psychosis
What is the treatment of puerperal psychosis?
Admission to the mother and baby unit
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Medications
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
What is the partogram
A partogram or partograph is a composite graphical record of key data (maternal and fetal) during labour entered against time on a single sheet of paper. Relevant measurements might include statistics such as cervical dilation, fetal heart rate, duration of labour and vital signs.
Outline what is meant by the terms - alert line and action line in reference to the partogram
ALERT Line:
Mean rate of the slowest progress of labour
ACTION Line:
Appropriate action should be taken
If a patient crossed this action line, they were referred into a tertiary unit.
outline some things seen in the partogram
The progress of labor:
cervical dilatation, descent of head (-5 to +5)** and uterine contractions
The fetal condition:
fetal heart rate, color of amniotic fluid and moulding of the fetal skull
Maternal condition:
pulse, BP, temperature, urine output and urine for protein
A separate space is given to enter drugs, IV fluids and oxytocin
According ot current guidelines above what dilation is active labour? What is the rate of dilation needed
Current UK guidelines based off partogram
Active phase≥4cm
Fixed 1cm/hour alert and action lines
WHO definition
Active phase≥5cm
Name some non pharmalogical pain relief options in labour
Water
May help relaxation and contractions feel less painful
Works immediately
TENS
Gentle electric current passes through pads on their back
Can control strength
Mild tingling feeling,reduce backache in early labour
Alternative
Hypotherapy, Acupunucture
Outline the where the pain is coming from in the first and second stages of laboour
First stage -
Pain from lower uterine and cervical change
Visceral afferent nerve fibres
T10-L1 Segments
Second stage -
Pain from distension of the pelvic floor, vagina and perineum
Somatic nerve fibres, pelvic splanchnic and pudendal nerve
S2-S4
Give some pharmacological therapies that can be used to help manage labour pain.
- Gas and air - entonox.
- Paracetamol.
- Opioids e.g. pethidine, diamorphine.
- Epidural.
- Spinal anaesthesia.
PCIA - Patient controlled analgesia
Give 3 potential side effects of opioids.
- Sedation.
- Respiratory depression.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- They cross the placenta readily.
What are some features/considerations for using entonox
Nitrous oxide and oxygen
Works immediately, affects stop immediately when you stop using
Spaced out, nauseas,tiring, mouth dry
Don’t use when pushing
Outline some features/considerations when using PCIA
What is the name of the drug used?
Patient controlled analgesia
Remifentanil
Requires the patient to press a button everytime they feel a contraction coming
Works within 30s and wears off after a few minutes
Often entonox used as well
Baby – may be slow to breath at first
Mum – sickness, sleepiness, slow breathing, O2 via nasal cannula (pulse ox monitoring)
Outline what an Epidural is.
An epidural involves inserting a small tube (catheter) into the epidural space in the lower back. This is outside the dura mater, separate from the spinal cord and CSF.
What level is an epidural normally administered in and what level does it need to be extended to to cover for an emergency CS?
T8-T10 for normal pain
Extended up to T4 for Emergency CS
What are some things that may point to epidurals needed to be given in childbirth? What are some things where an epidural is contraindicated?
Epidurals may be used to treat maternal conditions that could be worsened by labor and delivery, such as:
Pre-eclampsia
Previous C-section
Breech presentation
Multiple pregnancy
Morbid obesity (BMI ≥40)
Serious cardiovascular or respiratory disease
epidural anaesthesia should reduce blood pressure.
Epidurals are contraindicated in certain situations, including: Severe thrombocytopenia, Coagulopathy, Sepsis, Allergy to (levo)bupivacaine, and Allergy to fentanyl.
What are some drugs given as an epidural? What are some side effects are there of these
Anaesthetic options are levobupivacaine or bupivacaine, usually mixed with fentanyl.
Adverse effects:
Headache after insertion
Hypotension
Can take up to an hour to take an effect
Motor weakness in the legs
Nerve damage
Prolonged second stage
Increased probability of instrumental delivery
Until what week can a women legally have an abortion? What act relates to this
The legal framework for a termination of pregnancy is the 1967 Abortion Act. The 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act altered and expanded the criteria for an abortion, and reduced the latest gestational age where an abortion is legal from 28 weeks to 24 weeks.
What are the legal requirements for an abortion?
The legal requirements for an abortion are:
Two registered medical practitioners must sign to agree abortion is indicated
It must be carried out by a registered medical practitioner in an NHS hospital or approved premise
There is a conscious clause for doctors in the abortion act
When can an abortion be performed at any time during pregnancy?
Continuing the pregnancy is likely to risk the life of the woman
Terminating the pregnancy will prevent “grave permanent injury” to the physical or mental health of the woman
There is “substantial risk” that the child would suffer physical or mental abnormalities making it seriously handicapped