Mentoship Update 5/14/2013

Today when I went to the hospital, I asked Jannette the Lead LVN for Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park OB/GYN department for some help for my 2 hour presentation. She gave me really good information regarding my second answer which was that she gave me three additional medications that obstetricians use for premature birth.

Medications

• Terbutaline: this medication is a smooth muscle relaxer and because the uterus is a smooth muscle, this medication will help stop contractions. However when given this medication, obstetric health care teams have to watch the heart rate because if the woman has a heart rate of over 100, the medication cannot be given.

• Procardia (AKA Nifedipine): this medication is also given to stop contractions in order to delay premature birth. However if a woman has a blood pressure of 100/60, this medication cannot be given. 

• Lactated Ringers: this medication is given intravenously (IV). The purpose of this medication is to hydrate the patient since hydration and uterine infections can cause preterm labor. 

Jannette also gave me some additional information on previous medications that I have already researched.

Previous Medications

• Betamethasone: this medications will be given to patients who have gull stones which are made from cholesterol and other things found in bile. These gull stones range in size since they could be the size of a grain of sand or a golf ball. Betamethasone is also given when patients are going to be induced. This medication will given to make sure the baby has a chance to survival outside of the womb.

• Magnesium Sulfate: This medication is given to help stop cerebral perfusion. Premature babies have a tendency to have brain bleeds. This medication is given to woman how have high blood pressure which will dull the central nervous system and will make an effort to prevent seizures. 

• Hydroxyprogestrone caporate (AKA 17P): This medication is given to women who have had previous preterm births. This is routinely given at 16-34 weeks and can be adjusted at the discretion of the physician. Also women who have had a cerclage which is a procedure in which sutures are used to close the cervix, might receive 17P.