Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology
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Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol · Dec 2013
ReviewAlterations in physiology and anatomy during pregnancy.
Pregnant women undergo profound anatomical and physiological changes so that they can cope with the increased physical and metabolic demands of their pregnancies. The cardiovascular, respiratory, haematological, renal, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems all undergo important physiological alterations and adaptations needed to allow development of the fetus and to allow the mother and fetus to survive the demands of childbirth. ⋯ Understanding these changes is important for every practicing obstetrician, as the pathological deviations from the normal physiological alterations may not be clear-cut until an adverse outcome has resulted. Only with a sound knowledge of the physiology and anatomy changes can the care of an obstetric parturient be safely optimized for a better maternal and fetal outcome.
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Infections during pregnancy are relatively prevalent, and the majority of cases are managed well in the community. Occasionally, however, infections may be life-threatening. Sepsis may be associated with multiple organ dysfunction and a high mortality. ⋯ Health-care services in low-income countries face particular problems that account for an increased incidence of puerperal sepsis and maternal mortality. These include lack of access to health care, septic abortions and a greater incidence of human immunodeficiency virus. The key to management of sepsis is early recognition, aggressive resuscitation, antibiotic administration and source control.
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Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol · Dec 2013
ReviewMaternal mortality and morbidity: epidemiology of intensive care admissions in pregnancy.
Maternal mortality reviews are used globally to assess the quality of health-care services. With the decline in the number of maternal deaths, it has become difficult to derive meaningful conclusions that could have an impact on quality of care using maternal mortality data. The emphasis has recently shifted to severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM), as an adjunct to maternal mortality reviews. ⋯ However, women at the severe end of the spectrum of severe morbidity will almost invariably receive intensive care. Notwithstanding these limitations, the epidemiology of intensive care admissions in pregnancy will provide valuable data about women with severe morbidity. The overall rate of obstetric ICU admission varies from 0.04% to 4.54%.
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Endocrine emergencies in pregnancy are rare and are more likely to occur in the absence of good obstetric care. Serious thyroid and diabetes related events in pregnancy are more common because of their higher prevalence in the normal population. ⋯ A high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis, and medical treatment is directed primarily at maintaining maternal hemodynamic stability. A close liaison between an endocrinologist, maternal-fetal specialist and intensivist is critical in optimising both maternal and fetal outcomes.
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Neurological conditions during pregnancy can be pregnancy related or can be caused by exacerbation of pre-existing neurological disorders. Knowledge of pre-existing epilepsy or myasthenia gravis in women of childbearing age requires preconception counselling by neurologist and planned pregnancy. Possible adverse effects of medication on the foetus should be balanced with the risk of uncontrolled symptoms. ⋯ Patients need a thorough diagnostic evaluation that targets a range of serious pathological conditions that are either unique to (e.g. eclampsia) or arise more frequently (e.g. cerebral venous thrombosis) in this population. Most of these conditions are infrequent and require a specialized and multidisciplinary management. Treatment is challenging due to risks to the unborn child.