Abnormal uterine action - Presentation Transcript

1. 2. Abnormal Uterine Action www.freelivedoctor.com Classification a. Over-efficient uterine action > Precipitate labour: in absence of obstruction > Excessive contraction and retraction: in presence of obstruction b.Inefficient uterine action > Hypotonic inertia > Hypertonic inertia * Colicky uterus * Hyperactive lower uterine segment >Constriction (contraction) ring c.Cervicaldystocia www.freelivedoctor.com PRECIPITATE LABOUR www.freelivedoctor.com PRECIPITATE LABOUR Definition A labour lasting less than 3 hours. www.freelivedoctor.com Aetiology It is more common in multiparas when there are: * strong uterine contractions, * small sized baby, * roomy pelvis, * minimal soft tissue resistance. www.freelivedoctor.com Complications Maternal: * Lacerations of the cervix, vagina and perineum. *Shock. *Inversion of the uterus. *Postpartum haemorrhage: >no time for retraction, > lacerations. * Sepsis due to: > lacerations, > inappropriate surroundings. www.freelivedoctor.com Complications Foetal: >Intracranial haemorrhage due to sudden compression and decompression of the head. >Foetal asphyxia due to: *strong frequent uterine contractions reducing placental perfusion, *lack of immediate resuscitation. >Avulsion of the umbilical cord. >Foetal injury due to falling down. www.freelivedoctor.com Management Before delivery: Patient who had previous precipitate labour should be hospitalized before expected date of delivery as she is more prone to repeated precipitate labour. www.freelivedoctor.com Management During delivery: * Inhalation anaesthesia: as nitrous oxide and oxygen is given to slow the course of labour. * Tocolytic agents: as ritodrine (Yutopar) may be effective.

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* Episiotomy: to avoid perineal lacerations and intracranial haemorrhage. www.freelivedoctor.com 10. EXCESSIVE UTERINE CONTRACTION AND RETRACTION www.freelivedoctor.com 11. Physiological Retraction Ring It is a line of demarcation between the upper and lower uterine segment present during normal labour and cannot usually be felt abdominally. www.freelivedoctor.com 12. Pathological Retraction Ring (Bandls ring) * It is the rising up retraction ring during obstructed labour due to marked retraction and thickening of the upper uterine segment while the relatively passive lower segment is markedly stretched and thinned to accommodate the foetus. * The Bandls ring is seen and felt abdominally as a transverse groove that may rise to or above the umbilicus. * Clinical picture: is that of obstructed labour with impending rupture uterus (see later). * Obstructed labour should be properly treated otherwise the thinned lower uterine segment will rupture. www.freelivedoctor.com 13. HYPOTONIC UTERINE INERTIA www.freelivedoctor.com 14. HYPOTONIC UTERINE INERTIA Definition The uterine contractions are infrequent, weak and of short duration. www.freelivedoctor.com 15. Aetiology Unknown but the following factors may be incriminated: General factors: > Primigravida particularly elderly. >Anaemia and asthenia. > Nervous and emotional as anxiety and fear. > Hormonal due to deficient prostaglandins or oxytocin as in induced labour. > Improper use of analgesics. www.freelivedoctor.com 16. Aetiology Local factors > Overdistension of the uterus. > Developmental anomalies of the uterus e.g. hypoplasia. >Myomas of the uterus interfering mechanically with contractions. >Malpresentations, malpositions and cephalopelvic disproportion. The presenting part is not fitting in the lower uterine segment leading to absence of reflex uterine contractions. >Full bladder and rectum. www.freelivedoctor.com 17. Types o Primary inertia: weak uterine contractions from the start. o Secondary inertia: inertia developed after a period of good uterine contractions when it failed to overcome an obstruction so the uterus is exhausted. www.freelivedoctor.com 18. Clinical Picture * Labour is prolonged. * Uterine contractions are infrequent, weak and of short duration. * Slow cervical dilatation. * Membranes are usually intact. * The foetus and mother are usually not affected apart from maternal anxiety due to prolonged labour. * More susceptibility for retained placenta and postpartum haemorrhage due to persistent inertia. * Tocography: shows infrequent waves of contractionswith low amplitude. www.freelivedoctor.com 19. Management General measures > Examination to detect disproportion,malpresentation or malposition and manage according to the case. > Proper management of the first stage (see normal labour). > Prophylactic antibiotics in prolonged labourparticularly if the membranes are ruptured. www.freelivedoctor.com

20. Management Amniotomy: a.Providing that; > vaginal delivery is amenable, >the cervix is more than 3 cm dilatation and > the presenting part occupying well the lower uterine segment www.freelivedoctor.com 21. Management Amniotomy: b. Artificial rupture of membranes augments the uterine contractions by: >release of prostaglandins. > reflex stimulation of uterine contractions when the presenting part is brought closer to the lower uterine segment. www.freelivedoctor.com 22. Management Oxytocin: Providing that there is no contraindication for it, 5 units of oxytocin (syntocinon) in 500 c.c glucose 5% is given by IV infusion starting with 10 drops per minute and increasing gradually to get a uterine contraction rate of 3 per 10 minutes. www.freelivedoctor.com 23. Management Operative delivery a.Vaginal delivery: by forceps, vacuum or breech extraction according to the presenting part and its level providing that, > cervix is fully dilated. > vaginal delivery is amenable. b.Caesarean section is indicated in: > failure of the previous methods. > contraindications to oxytocin infusion including disproportion. >foetal distress before full cervical dilatation. www.freelivedoctor.com 24. HYPERTONIC UTERINE INERTIA (Uncoordinated Uterine Action) www.freelivedoctor.com 25. Types * Colicky uterus: incoordination of the different parts of the uterus in contractions. * Hyperactive lower uterine segment: so the dominance of the upper segment is lost. www.freelivedoctor.com 26. Clinical Picture The condition is more common in primigravidae and characterised by: * Labour is prolonged. * Uterine contractions are irregular and more painful. The pain is felt before and throughout the contractions with marked low backache often in occipito-posterior position. * High resting intrauterine pressure in between uterine contractions detected by tocography (normal value is 5-10 mmHg). * Slow cervical dilatation . *Premature rupture of membranes. * Foetal and maternal distress. www.freelivedoctor.com 27. Management > General measures: as hypotonic inertia. >Medical measures: Analgesic and antispasmodic as pethidine. Epidural analgesia may be of good benefit. > Caesarean section is indicated in: Failure of the previous methods. Disproportion. Foetal distress before full cervical dilatation. www.freelivedoctor.com 28. CONSTRICTION (CONTRACTION) RING www.freelivedoctor.com 29. CONSTRICTION (CONTRACTION) RING Definition * It is a persistent localised annular spasm of the circular uterine muscles. * It occurs at any part of the uterus but usually at junction of the upper and lower uterine segments. * It can occur at the 1st, 2nd or 3 rd stage of labour. www.freelivedoctor.com

30. Aetiology Unknown but the predisposing factors are: * Malpresentations and malpositions. * Clumsy intrauterine manipulations under light anaesthesia. * Improper use of oxytocin e.g. > use of oxytocin in hypertonic inertia. >IM injection of oxytocin. www.freelivedoctor.com 31. Diagnosis * The condition is more common in primigravidae and frequently preceded by colicky uterus. * The exact diagnosis is achieved only by feeling the ring with a hand introduced into the uterine cavity. www.freelivedoctor.com 32. Complications o Prolonged 1st stage: if the ring occurs at the level of the internal os. o Prolonged 2nd stage: if the ring occurs around the foetal neck. Retained placenta and postpartum haemorrhage: if the ring occurs in the 3rd stage (hour- glass contraction). www.freelivedoctor.com 33. www.freelivedoctor.com 34. Management Exclude malpresentations, malposition and disproportion. o In the 1st stage: Pethidine may be of benefit. o In the 2nd stage: Deep general anaesthesia and amyl nitrite inhalation are given to relax the constriction ring: o In the 3rd stage: Deep general anaesthesia and amyl nitrite inhalation are given followed by manual removal of the placenta. www.freelivedoctor.com 35. CERVICAL DYSTOCIA www.freelivedoctor.com 36. CERVICAL DYSTOCIA Definition Failure of the cervix to dilate within a reasonable time in spite of good regular uterine contractions. www.freelivedoctor.com 37. Varieties a.Organic (secondary) due to: > Cervical stances as a sequel to previous amputation, cone biopsy, extensive cauterisation or obstetric trauma. > Organic lesions as cervical myoma or carcinoma. www.freelivedoctor.com 38. Varieties b.Functional (primary): > In spite of the absence of any organic lesion and the well effacement of the cervix, the external os fails to dilate. > This may be due to lack of softening of the cervix during pregnancy or cervical spasm resulted from overactive sympathetic tone. www.freelivedoctor.com 39. Complications * Annular detachment of the cervix: surprisingly the bleeding from the cervix is minimal because of fibrosis and avascular pressure necrosis leading to thrombosis of the vessels before detachment. * Rupture uterus. * Postpartum haemorrhage: particularly if cervical laceration extends upwards tearing the main uterine vessels. www.freelivedoctor.com 40. Management a. Organic dystocia: > Caesarean section is the management of choice. b.Functionaldystocia:

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Pethidineand antispasmodics: may be effective Caesarean section: if medical treatment fails orfoetaldistress developed.