Intrapartum Complications Flashcards

Flashcards covering intrapartum complications, including preterm labor, placental abnormalities, amniotic fluid imbalances, and labor dystocia based on the lecture by Dr. Angela Clark.

Premature Rupture Of Membranes (PROM)

The rupture of membranes before the onset of labor.

Preterm PROM (PPROM)

The rupture of membranes before the completion of $37$ weeks of gestation.

Betamethasone

A maternal corticosteroid administered to enhance fetal lung maturity; dosage is $12\text{ mg IM } \times 2$ doses, given $12-24$ hours apart.

Preterm Labor (PTL)

Labor that occurs between $20$ and $36$ completed weeks, documented by cervical change or at least $4$ contractions in $20$ minutes or $8$ in $1$ hour.

Fetal fibronectin

A diagnostic test where a positive result indicates an increased risk for preterm birth.

Tocolytic Medications

A class of medications, such as Nifedipine, Magnesium Sulfate, and Terbutaline, used to stop uterine contractions.

Magnesium Sulfate Bolus

The administration of a $4-6\text{ gram}$ load over $20-30$ minutes, followed by a maintenance dose of $2-4\text{ grams/hr}$.

Cervical Insufficiency

Painless dilation of the cervix without contractions, often defined by a cervical length less than $25\text{ mm}$ before term.

Cerclage

The surgical closure of the cervix using suture (stitching) to treat cervical insufficiency.

Placenta Previa

Placental implantation in the lower uterine segment, characterized by bright red, painless bleeding as the cervix dilates.

Abruptio Placentae

The premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the uterine wall, which can cause dark venous bleeding and firm, stony hard uterine tone.

Hydramnios (polyhydramnios)

An excess of amniotic fluid, defined as more than $2000\text{ ml}$.

Oligohydramnios

A deficiency of amniotic fluid, defined as less than $500\text{ ml}$.

Amniotic Fluid Embolism

Also known as Anaphylactoid Syndrome; a rare complication where amniotic fluid enters maternal circulation, causing vessel blockage in the lungs and high mortality.

Tachysystole

A dysfunctional labor pattern characterized by more than $5$ contractions in a $10$ minute period.

Hypotonic contractions

Infrequent contractions occurring fewer than $2-3$ times in a $10$ minute period, often of low intensity.

Post Term Pregnancy

A pregnancy that has gone beyond $42$ completed weeks.

External cephalic version (ECV)

The external manipulation of the maternal abdomen to change the fetal presentation from breech to cephalic.

Umbilical Cord Prolapse

A complication where the umbilical cord precedes the presenting part and is compressed against the maternal pelvis, requiring relief of pressure and emergency birth.

Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)

A condition where the fetal head is too large to pass through the maternal pelvis, usually requiring a Cesarean birth.

Macrosomia

A condition where the fetus is large, weighing more than $4000\text{ grams}$.

McRoberts maneuver

An intervention for shoulder dystocia that involves rotating the mother's legs up and out to open the pelvis.

Retained placenta

The retention of the placenta beyond $30$ minutes after birth.

Placenta Accreta

Abnormal placental adherence where chorionic villi attach directly to the uterine myometrium.

Placenta Increta

Abnormal placental adherence where the placenta invades the uterine myometrium.

Placenta Percreta

Abnormal placental adherence where the placenta penetrates the myometrium and may attach to nearby organs like the bladder.