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Complications of Labor and Delivery

Terms

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Premature Rupture of Membraness
Spontaneous rupture of membranes before the onset of labor
Diagnostic tests for Rupture of Membrane
Nitazine pater - turns blue

Ferning test - looks like fern under microscope if positive

Management of premature rupture of membranes if < 37 wks gestation with no signs of infection
Hospitalization on bed rest

Monitor fetal well being

Administration of betamethasone 24 hrs prior to immanent labor to aid fetal lung development



Preterm Labor
Labor that occus between 20 and 36 completed weeks of pregnancy
Fetal Risks with Preterm Labor
Respiratory distress syndrome
Risk of trauma during birth
Maturational deficiencies inc.:
decreased fat storage
decreased thermoregulation
immaturity of organ systems




Early signs of preterm labor
Backache
Tightening in abdomen
Bloody show

Conditions that can initiate preterm labor
UTIs

Vaginal discharge caused by bacterial vaginosis

Predictors of preterm labor
Cervicovaginal fibronectin
Abnormal cervical length
History of previous preterm
birth
Presence of infection
(acute pyleonephritis,bacterial
vaginosis)





Incompetent Cervux
Premature cilatation of cervix

Occurs in the 4th-5th month

Medical diagnosis and management of Incompetent cervix
History of spontaneous abortions
Sterile Speculum Exam revealing
Effacement and dilitation of
cervix
Bulging membranes
Vaginal ultrasounds to detect
cervical length
TX: Cerclage






Cerclage
Puse string suture inserted in the cervix to prevent preterm cervical dilatiation

After placement the string is tightened and secured

Delivery options with a cerclage
C-section: sutures left in place

Vaginal: sutures removed before term

Nursing care management of preterm labor
Position pt on left side to maintain good uterine blood flow

Electronic fetal monitoring to detect uterine contractions

Prevent dehydration with IV infusion

Administer tocolytic medication







Tocolytics
Magnesium sulfate IV

Terbutaline sulfate PO

Nifedipine PO




Indications for use of
Magnesium Sulfate IV during pregnancy

Used to treat preeclampsia and eclampsia

Used rarely to suppress uterine contraction

Therpeutic range of Magnesium Sulfate
4-8 mg/dL
Required monitoring with use of Magnesium Sulfate
Respiratory rate

Maternal pulmonary edema

Side effect of magnesium sulfate
lethargy and weakness
sweating
flushing

Signs of magnesium sulfate toxicity
Depression or absence of
reflexes (occurs at levels
>9 mg/dL)
Oliguia
Confusion
Respiratory depression




Fetal side effects with magnesium sulfate
respiratoru depression

muscle weakness

Nursing interventions for magnesium sulfate use
Monitor maternal VS q 15 min
Monitor maternal serum magnesium
levels
Check levels
Check reflexes
Have calcium gluconate at
bedside





Tocolytic most often given to stop uterine contractions
Nifedipine PO
Side effects of Terbualine sulfate PO
Palpatations
Tremor
Dizziness
Nervousness


Side effects of Nifedipine PO
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Facial flushing
Headache


Placenta Previa
The placenta is improperly implanted in the lower uterine segment
Signs and symptoms of placenta previa
Painless bright red vaginal bleeding occurring when placental villi are torn from uterine wall during uterine contractions
Risk factors for placenta previa
Multiparity
Advanced maternal age
Previous C-section

Diagnostic method for diagnosing placenta previa
Ultrasound
Treatment for placenta previa if < 37 wks gestation
Bed rest with BRP as long as
not bleeding
No rectal or vaginal exams
Monitoring of blood loss, pain
and uterine contractibility
Evaluation of FHTs and VS
Evaluation of H&H
IV fluids
2 units of cross-match blood
available for transfusion








Treatment for placenta previa if >37 wks gestation
Deliver vaginally if bleeding stops or C-sec if still bleeding

Abruptio Placenta
Premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the uterine wall
Clinical manifestations of multiple gestation
SOB
Backaches
Pedal edema
Abnormal fetal presentation
Uterine dysfunction
Prolapsed cord
Hemorrhage at birth





Dietary considerations with multiple gestation
Increased protein intake and increased total caloric intake
Effect of multiple gestation on fetus
Higher mortality
Decreased intrauterine growth rate
Increased incidence of fetal anomalies
Increased risk of prematurity
Twin to twin transfusion syndrome



Factors that may result in hydramnios
Congenital anomalies
Increase of fetal urine caused by maternal diabetes, Fh sensitizatin, multiple gestation
Fetal/Neonatal risks with oligohydramnios
Pulonary hypoplaia (less fluid availabe for fetus to use during fetal breathing movements)

Fetal skin and skeletal abnormalities

Umbilical cord compression during labor



Medical treatment for oliohydromnios
Fetal assessment (biophysical profile, NST, US)
During labor - continuous FHT
After ROM - Amnioinfusion (transcervical instillation of 250 mL of warmed sterile saline via catheter to provide additional cushioning

Dystocia
Difficult labor
Labor not progressing due to hypertonic uterine dysfunction or hypotonic uterine dysfunction
Hypertonic uterine dysfunction
Contractions are painful but ineffective in dilating and effacing the cervix - may lead to prolonged latent phase

Increased resting tone

Most commonly afflicted - very anxious nulliparas at term or post term



Medical treatment for hypertonic uterine dysfunction
Rule out CPD and fetal malpresentation

Bed rest

Sedation (seconal)

C-sec if signs of fetal distress





Hypotonic uterine dysfunction
Labor patterns begin normally then p rogress to infrequent, less intense contractions and a marked slowing or arrest of cervical dilatiation

Ususally during active phasse
Causes of Hypotonic Uterine Dysfunction
Overdistension of uterus due to twins, large singleton, hydraminios, grandmultiparity

Inappropriate analgesic

Pelvic contraction(CPD)

Fetal malposition





Medical treatment for hypotonic uterine dysfunction
Oxytocin (if no contraindications such as prematurity, CPD, fetal malpresentation)

Amniotomy (of GBS positive, give antibiotics first)

IV fluids



Nursing care for hypotonic uterine dysfunction
Assess contractions, maternal VS, FHR

Assess amniotic fluid

Monitor for s/s of infection and dehydration

Have pt void q 2 hrs

Provide psych support







Postterm pregnancy
One that extends past 42 weeks gestation

Incidence 7%

More frequent in premigravidas and >35 yrs



Postterm Pregnancy maternal resk
Increased incidence of operative birth (C/S, forceps)

Labor induction

LGA infant

Infection





Postterm Pregnancy - Fetal/Neonatal Risks
Meconium aspiration

Oligohydramnios (umbilical cord compression) variable decels

Macrosomia (birth trauma or shoulder dystocia)- >4000gm

Decreased placental perfusion

Fetal demise







Medical treatment for postterm pregnancy
Antenatal testing (NST, US exams (biophysical profile)

Kick count

hydromnios
occurs when there is over 2000 mL of amniotic fluid

Diagnosed by ultrasound

Deck Info

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