• Anthracyline regimens are safe
• There are fewer data on taxanes, which should be reserved for high-risk (node-positive) or metastatic disease.
• Tamoxifen is not used until after delivery.
• Trastuzumab  is contraindicated during pregnancy.
• Haemopoietic growth factors (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) may be employed to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Cord presentation is the presence of the umbilical cord between the fetal presenting part and the cervix, with or without intact membranes. ( i.e if the cord  is present ABOVE the cervix, with ruptured membranes- this is cord PRESENTATION)

Cord prolapse is descent of the umbilical cord through the cervix  in the presence of ruptured membranes.

Cord prolapse can be occult ( Alongside the presenting part) or OVERT (Past the presenting part)

Planned VBAC is associated with an approximately 1 in 200 (0.5%)
risk of uterine rupture

The likelihood of maternal GBS carriage in this pregnancy is 50%.
What should be done?- Discuss the options- a. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis ( IAP).
b. Bacteriological testing in late pregnancy and the offer of IAP if still positive. ( This is the only group of women who are eligible for GBS screening funded by NHS)

Caesarean section is the recommended mode of delivery in cases of cord prolapse when vaginal birth is not imminent in order to prevent hypoxic acidosis.
Category 2 caesarean birth can be considered for women in whom the fetal heart rate pattern is normal, but continuous assessment of the fetal heart trace is essential.

In case of cord prolapse in advanced labor , delivery should be expedited.

A document on categories of Caesarean section can be found here-CLICK HERE

Routine ultrasound screening is not useful. Selective ultrasound screening can be considered for women with breech presentation at term who are considering vaginal birth.

Methotrexate adjuvant therapy should not be used for expectant management as it is of unproven benefit and has significant adverse effects.

A systematic review reported that women with one, two, or three or more previous caesarean deliveries experience a 1%, 1.7% or 2.8% risk of placenta previa in a subsequent pregnancy. ( Source- Birth After Previous
Caesarean Birth Green-top Guideline No. 45 ).

Assisted reproductive technology ( RR- 3.71, OR 2.67)and maternal smoking ( OR 1.42)  increase the risk of placenta praevia.

When testing for GBS carrier status, a swab should be taken from the lower vagina and the anorectum.

A single swab (vagina then anorectum) or two different swabs can be used.

Conception during tamoxifen therapy should be avoided because
of potential teratogenicity, and a ‘washout period’ of 2–3 months is advised

Women are generally advised to wait for at least 2 years after treatment for breast cancer before
conception.

• IAP( Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis)  is recommended for women in confirmed preterm labour.  The risk of GBS infection is higher with preterm delivery and the mortality rate from infection is increased (20–30% versus 2–3% at term). For this reason, IAP is recommended for women in confirmed preterm labour.
• There is no evidence that intrapartum vaginal cleansing will reduce the risk of neonatal GBS disease.
• Polymerase chain reaction or other near-patient testing at the onset of labour is not recommended.

Up to 10% of women scheduled for ERCS go into labour before
39+0 weeks. Therefore it is good practice to to discuss and document a plan for delivery if labour starts prior to the scheduled date.

- For pregnancies at more than 16 weeks of gestation the term low-lying placenta should be used when the placental edge is less than 20 mm from the internal os on transabdominal or transvaginal scanning (TVS).

If the distance between the internal os and the placental edge is 20 mm or more on TVS, the placental location should be recorded as normal and managed as per routine

• The term placenta praevia should be used when the placenta lies directly over the internal os.