Use of UFH predisposes patients to thrombocytopenia..

Obstetric patients who are postoperative and receiving unfractionated heparin should have platelet count monitoring performed from days 4 to 14 ,

or until heparin is stopped.

• LMWHs are the agents of choice for antenatal and postnatal thromboprophylaxis.
  - Doses of LMWH are based on weight.
• For thromboprophylaxis the booking or most recent weight
  can be used to guide dosing

Bonus info- There is at least one more condition in which the delivery should be delayed for some time after appearance of the condition- Chickenpox ! In varicella rash- planned delivery should normally be avoided for at least 7 days after the onset of the maternal rash to allow for the passive transfer of antibodies from mother to child.

According to the RCOG Guideline- until blood is available, infuse up to 3.5 l of warmed clear fluids, initially 2 l of warmed isotonic crystalloid.

• Further fluid resuscitation can continue with additional isotonic
  crystalloid or colloid (succinylated gelatin).
• Hydroxyethyl starch should not be used.
•  The best equipment available should be used to achieve rapid warmed infusion of fluids

ABG Analysis is of limited value in diagnosis of PE.

In one study- ABG analysis showed that only 10% had arterial P O2 levels less than 60 mmHg and 2.9% had oxygen saturation levels less than 90%.

- 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).

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

The algorithm suggested by RCOG for low lying placenta can be accessed HERE 

Active management of Third stage of Labor includes -

1. Administer 10 IU of oxytocin by intramuscular injection with the birth of the anterior shoulder or immediately after the birth of the baby and before the cord is clamped and cut.

2. After administering oxytocin, clamp and cut the cord- Do not clamp the cord earlier than 1 minute from the birth of the baby unless there is concern about integrity of the cord, or well being of the baby ( e.g heart rate below 60 bpm AND not getting faster) .
Clamp the cord before 5 minutes.

3. After cutting the cord, use controlled cord traction- only after administration of oxytocin and signs of separation of the placenta.