UNSTABLE LIE

PRESENTED

BY

OKONGWU.C.A
 DEFINITION:
An unstable lie is when the fetal lie and

presentation changes repeatedly after 2

consecutive visits from

the 36th week of pregnancy.

 INCIDENCE
Figures are not available for the incidence of
unstable lie in a given population.

It’s incidence in a population will be affected

by certain factors such as, number of
multiparae and particularly number of grand
multiparae.

Similarly the incidence will be higher in

populations where malnutrition is prominent
and maternal or fetal skeletal deformities are
common
Conversely in well nourished and
developed societies where high parity
and skeletal deformities are relatively
uncommon, the incidence of unstable
lie have been quoted to be within the
range of 0.1-1.0%.
 AETIOLOGY
High parity
Polyhydramnios
Multiple pregnancy
Placenta praevia
Pelvic tumors
Pelvic inlet contracture/or fetal
macrosomia
Fetal anomaly
Uterine anomaly
Distended bladder.
 RISKS
There are no hazards to the mother or the
fetus during early pregnancy (up to 28
weeks).
During the later weeks of pregnancy
spontaneous resolution to a longitudinal lie
before onset of labour occurs in about
85% of cases.
There are however very serious risks to
the mother and the fetus if the lie is not
longitudinal at onset of labour.
cord prolapse.
compound presentation & uterine rupture .
THANK YOU