ØRECLESS: Preterm Labour and Fetal Death in a Rural Family Practice.

Learners will manage an obstetrical complication of an unexpected preterm labour, stillbirth delivery, and fetal death.

  • Tiana Bressan    
  • None   
  • Jan. 16, 2024, 10:36 p.m.   

  • Obstetrics   
  • Medical Students, Residents, Physicians, Nurses   
  • ECG Leads/Wires, IV Equip., NIBP Cuff, O2 Monitors, Pulse Oximeter, Temperature Probe   

  • 1   
  • 30 Min   
  • Rural Hospital   
ØRECLESS: Preterm Labour and Fetal Death in a Rural Family Practice.

It’s a beautiful August day, and on the walk to work this morning, all you could think about was getting on the water in your kayak later. Today should be a regular day, with a few appointments in the morning and on-call for obstetrics. You’re working in a rural 1A maternity site (no local cesarean section capabilities), and the nearest urban centre is 500 km away.

Your neighbour, yes – the one who makes the best sourdough bread, is 36 y/o and pregnant with her fourth child. She’s 23 weeks into her pregnancy and coming in for a follow-up appointment after going to the referral centre last week.

Neighbour (Cathy): “It’s been a whirlwind! Three pregnancies before this one with no complications, and for some reason, this little one can’t relax. Anyway, I know I’m in good hands since you got the last three out okay.”

Cathy went to the referral centre last week (22 weeks) because her previous antepartum transvaginal ultrasound showed a shortened cervix (<25 mm). The physician prescribed micronized progesterone 200 mg qd PV, from diagnosis until 36 weeks. Cathy: “The doc told me to follow up with you, but I’m also having other problems. I’ve been getting this tightening in my belly and a constant low, dull backache. It started yesterday morning after what kind of felt like water breaking, but I wrote it off as, you know, “leaking” and was busy all day with the other kiddos.”

She has no allergies, and her family and medical history are insignificant. She has been taking progesterone PV for the past six days and finished her treatment for bacterial vaginosis (Metronidazole 500 mg PO b.i.d for 7 days) last Friday. Past labs are normal, and fetal fibronectin testing results haven’t returned yet. Up until last week, she’s had no complications. She had no complications in her past pregnancies. She does not drink alcohol but smokes approximately one pack of cigarettes/week.

The learner will (1) diagnose and manage preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and preterm delivery, (2) practice fetal heart rate surveillance, (3) practice delivery of a stillbirth, and (5) navigate delivering bad news and coping with loss.

This simulation is part of ØRECLESS (Rural Emergencies and Complications in Labour Events Simulations Suite).

 
Goals and Learning Objectives
 
Technical/Equipment Recommendations
 
Supporting Roles and Scripts
 
Moulage and Scenario Set-Up
 
Printable Supporting Documents (Will also be accessible at relevant Scenario Stage)

Note: While prepping for your simulation, don't forget to prep for the debrief. Become comfortable with your chosen framework, review your objectives. For additional debriefing resources, see our Resources page.

Original Author: Tiana Bressan
Originally published on: December 2, 2023
Most Recent Modification: