Kuwait MOH Midwife flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Naegele rule

Estimated due date is calculated by adding 280 days (9 months and 7 days) to the first day of the last menstrual period, assuming a regular 28-day cycle.

Gravida versus para

Gravida counts all pregnancies including the current one; para counts births at or beyond the threshold of viability, with each infant of a multiple birth counted separately.

Fundal height rule

From about 24 weeks, the symphysis-fundal height in centimetres should be within 2 cm of the gestational age in weeks; deviation prompts ultrasound assessment of fetal growth.

Anti-D prophylaxis timing

RhD-negative unsensitised women receive anti-D immunoglobulin at around 28 weeks and within 72 hours of birth, plus after any sensitising event such as bleeding or amniocentesis.

Active first stage of labour

The period from 5 cm cervical dilation to full dilation, with regular contractions and progressive cervical change; a reference rate is about 1 cm per hour.

Active management third stage

Prophylactic oxytocin 10 IU intramuscularly, controlled cord traction, and uterine assessment after placental birth; the placenta is expected to deliver within 30 minutes.

Partograph action line

A line drawn four hours to the right of the alert line on the partograph; crossing it indicates slow progress and requires obstetric review and possible intervention.

Delayed cord clamping

Waiting at least 1 minute after birth before clamping the cord improves neonatal iron stores; shorten to 30–60 seconds if the newborn needs resuscitation.

BUBBLE-HE assessment

A postpartum assessment framework covering breasts, uterus, bladder, bowel, lochia, episiotomy or perineum, Homans sign, and emotional status to detect complications early.

APGAR score components

Appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration are scored 0 to 2 each at 1 and 5 minutes; the total guides neonatal assessment but not resuscitation decisions.

Lochia progression

Lochia rubra is red for days 1 to 4, serosa is pink-brown for days 4 to 10, and alba is white-yellow beyond 10 days; offensive odour suggests infection.

Newborn weight loss

Loss of up to 10% of birth weight in the first week is normal; birth weight should be regained by 10 to 14 days, and slower regain prompts feeding assessment.

Pre-eclampsia severe features

Blood pressure of 160/110 mmHg or higher, platelets below 100, doubled liver enzymes, rising creatinine, pulmonary oedema, or neurological symptoms define severe disease needing urgent treatment.

Magnesium sulfate monitoring

Monitor respiratory rate at least 12 per minute, presence of deep tendon reflexes, and urine output at least 30 mL per hour; calcium gluconate 1 g IV is the antidote for toxicity.

Placenta praevia presentation

Painless bright red vaginal bleeding in later pregnancy with a placenta covering the cervical os; digital vaginal examination is avoided and caesarean birth is usually required.

Shoulder dystocia sequence

Call for help, perform McRoberts manoeuvre with suprapubic pressure, then consider internal rotation, posterior arm delivery, or all-fours; fundal pressure is never used.

Postpartum haemorrhage bundle

Call for help, rub the uterus, empty the bladder, give oxytocin, then carboprost or misoprostol, tranexamic acid 1 g IV, and escalate to balloon tamponade or surgery.

Anaphylaxis adrenaline dose

Give 0.5 mg adrenaline intramuscularly (1:1000) into the anterolateral thigh, repeat every 5 minutes as needed, and position the woman supine with legs raised.

Perimortem caesarean timing

In maternal cardiac arrest after 20 weeks, perform perimortem caesarean within 4 to 5 minutes if there is no return of circulation, with left uterine displacement during resuscitation.

Neonatal resuscitation ratio

When the heart rate is below 60 after effective ventilation, give chest compressions with a 3:1 compression-to-ventilation ratio, aiming for 90 compressions and 30 breaths per minute.

Neonatal epinephrine dose

For neonatal resuscitation, give 0.5 to 1 mL/kg of 1:10,000 epinephrine intravenously or intraosseously; undiluted 1:1000 solution must never be given intravenously.

Newborn hypoglycaemia threshold

A blood glucose below 2.6 mmol/L defines neonatal hypoglycaemia; feed if asymptomatic, or give intravenous dextrose 10% at 2 mL/kg if symptomatic or persistent.

Oxytocin high-alert precautions

Administer oxytocin by infusion pump with double-checked concentration and rate, titrate to no more than 4 to 5 contractions in 10 minutes, and stop for hyperstimulation or fetal heart rate abnormality.

Tranexamic acid in haemorrhage

Give tranexamic acid 1 g intravenously over 10 minutes within 3 hours of postpartum haemorrhage onset; it reduces death from bleeding and should not be delayed.

Uterotonic contraindications

Carboprost is contraindicated in asthma, ergometrine in hypertension and pre-eclampsia, and misoprostol is used cautiously after caesarean because of uterine rupture risk.

Five moments of hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is performed before touching a patient, before an aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings.

Group B streptococcus prophylaxis

Intrapartum penicillin or ampicillin is offered to colonised women, those with a previous GBS-affected infant, or unknown status with fever or prolonged rupture of membranes.

Clinical audit cycle

The cycle defines standards, collects data, compares practice with standards, implements change, and re-audits; maternity indicators include caesarean and postpartum haemorrhage rates.

Informed consent elements

Valid consent requires explanation of the procedure, benefits, risks, and alternatives, confirmation of understanding, and a voluntary decision documented in the health record.

Kuwait MOH licensure

Midwives must hold a valid licence from the Kuwait Ministry of Health and comply with national nursing and midwifery regulations, including continuing education and scope-of-practice requirements.

Lactational amenorrhoea method

This method is effective only when the woman is exclusively breastfeeding, remains amenorrhoeic, and is less than 6 months postpartum; any one condition failing removes its protection.

Signs of good attachment

A wide-open mouth, chin touching the breast, flanged lips, more areola visible above than below, and audible swallowing indicate effective attachment during breastfeeding.