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Antenatal Complications Management

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Hypertension - Pressure Cooker Pregnancy

  • Gestational HTN: BP ≥140/90 mmHg after 20 wks gestation; no proteinuria.
  • Pre-eclampsia: BP ≥140/90 mmHg after 20 wks + Proteinuria (≥300mg/24h or ≥1+ dipstick).
    • Severe Pre-eclampsia: BP ≥160/110 mmHg OR end-organ damage (e.g., thrombocytopenia <100,000/µL, ↑LFTs, renal insufficiency, pulm. edema, new visual/CNS sx).
  • Eclampsia: Pre-eclampsia + New-onset grand mal seizures.
  • HELLP Syndrome: 📌 Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets. Key Management:
  • Antihypertensives (BP goal <160/110 mmHg): Labetalol, Nifedipine, Methyldopa. (Avoid ACEi/ARBs).
  • MgSO4 for seizure prophylaxis (severe pre-eclampsia) & treatment (eclampsia):
    • Loading dose: 4-6g IV over 15-20 min.
    • Maintenance: 1-2g/hr IV.

    ⭐ MgSO4 is the drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis and control in eclampsia; its therapeutic range is 4-7 mEq/L. Antidote: Calcium gluconate.

  • Definitive treatment: Delivery. Complications: Maternal (abruption, DIC, CVA, organ failure), Fetal (IUGR, prematurity, IUD).

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GDM - Sugar Spike Saga

  • Screening: Universal (DIPSI: 75g OGTT, non-fasting) or risk-based.
  • Diagnosis (IADPSG/WHO): ≥1 abnormal value from 75g OGTT:
    • Fasting: ≥ 92 mg/dL
    • 1-hr: ≥ 180 mg/dL
    • 2-hr: ≥ 153 mg/dL
  • Complications:
    • Maternal: Pre-eclampsia, polyhydramnios, ↑ C-section.
    • Fetal: Macrosomia, IUGR, RDS, neonatal hypoglycemia.
  • Management:
    • MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy) first.
    • OHAs: Metformin (preferred), Glibenclamide (caution).
    • Insulin: If targets unmet (Target HbA1c <6.5%).

⭐ India's DIPSI (Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group India) recommends a one-step procedure with 75g oral glucose load for GDM diagnosis, irrespective of last meal.

Maternal metabolic health impact on fetal development

APH - Code Red Bleeds

FeaturePlacenta PreviaAbruptio Placentae
BleedingPainless, causeless, recurrent, bright redPainful, dark red; may be concealed
UterusSoft, non-tenderTender, rigid (hypertonic), "woody" feel
Fetal HeartUsually normal until severe bleed/laborFetal distress common & early
*   Types: Complete (covers os), Partial, Marginal (edge at os), Low-lying (near os).
![Normal placenta vs. placenta previa](https://ylbwdadhbcjolwylidja.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/notes/L1/Obstetrics_and_Gynecology_Prenatal_Care_Antenatal_Complications_Management/4852bdaf-9bdc-4e24-b259-79746d862374.png)
  • Abruptio Placentae: Premature separation of a normally implanted placenta. Placental Abruption: Concealed vs. Revealed
  • Risk Factors:
    • Previa: Prior C-section, multiparity, AMA, smoking.
    • Abruptio: Maternal HTN, trauma, smoking, cocaine, prior abruption.
  • Management Principles:
    • Expectant: Stable, preterm (<37 wks). Corticosteroids for fetal lung maturity.
    • Active: Term (≥37 wks), maternal/fetal instability, significant bleeding → Prompt delivery (often LSCS for previa; LSCS for fetal distress in abruption).
  • Couvelaire Uterus: Extravasation of blood into uterine musculature in severe abruption; uterus appears bruised, woody.
  • ⭐ > In Placenta Previa, per-vaginal (PV) examination is contraindicated until placenta location is confirmed by ultrasound to avoid catastrophic hemorrhage.

Preterm & PROM - Tiny Timers

  • Definitions:
    • Preterm Labor (PTL): Regular contractions + cervical changes <37 weeks.
    • PROM: Rupture of membranes before labor onset.
    • PPROM: Preterm PROM, <37 weeks.
  • Risk Factors: Prior PTL, infection, multiple gestation, cervical insufficiency.
  • Diagnosis: Clinical (cervical changes), +fFN, USG Cervical Length (CL) <25mm.
  • Management:
    • Tocolytics: Delay delivery. Nifedipine, Atosiban. Indomethacin <32 wks (max 48h). 📌 IT'S NOT MY TIME (Indomethacin, Nifedipine, MgSO4, Terbutaline, Atosiban).
    • Antenatal Corticosteroids (ACS): Betamethasone 12mg IM x2 (24h apart) or Dexamethasone. Lung maturity (24-34 wks).
    • MgSO4: Fetal neuroprotection if imminent delivery <32 weeks.
    • Antibiotics: For PPROM (latency) & Group B Strep (GBS) prophylaxis.

⭐ ACS (Betamethasone) significantly ↓ RDS, IVH, NEC in preterms (24-34 wks).

Preterm labor and PPROM interventions timeline

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): Screen with OGTT; manage with diet, exercise, insulin.
  • Preeclampsia: Hypertension (>140/90 mmHg) & proteinuria after 20 weeks; MgSO4 for seizure prophylaxis.
  • Ectopic Pregnancy: Suspect with amenorrhea, pain, bleeding; β-hCG & transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) are key.
  • Placenta Previa: Painless third-trimester bleeding; avoid per-vaginal (PV) exams.
  • Abruptio Placentae: Painful vaginal bleeding, uterine tenderness; risk of fetal distress.
  • Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR): Monitor with serial ultrasounds (USG) & Doppler studies.
  • Rh Isoimmunization: Administer Anti-D immunoglobulin at 28 weeks & post-delivery for Rh-negative mothers with Rh-positive babies.

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Practice Questions: Antenatal Complications Management

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Mr. Murali has 126 mg/dl of fasting plasma glucose. His venous plasma glucose 2h after ingestion of 75g oral glucose load is 149 mg/dl. This patient comes under which stage of WHO diagnostic criteria of diabetes & intermediate hyperglycemia?

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Flashcards: Antenatal Complications Management

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_____ reduces the risk of preterm labor if given prophylactically.

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_____ reduces the risk of preterm labor if given prophylactically.

Progesterone

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