Is premature rupture of membranes dangerous?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 01, 2024
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When preterm premature rupture of membranes occurs, it can have certain impacts on both the pregnant woman and the fetus. The risks of preterm premature rupture of membranes primarily include the possibility of umbilical cord prolapse, preterm birth, or infection during pregnancy. If the presenting part of the fetus has not descended and the umbilical cord slips into the vagina, umbilical cord prolapse can easily occur, which is very dangerous and can lead to fetal hypoxia or even stillbirth. After the rupture of membranes, bacteria originally present in the vagina may take this opportunity to enter the uterus, causing chorioamnionitis or endometritis. If the infection is not controlled in time, sepsis may also occur.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can premature rupture of membranes be detected?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of membranes before labor, manifested as vaginal discharge and abdominal pain, among other symptoms. The diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes is primarily conducted through the following methods: First, based on the patient's symptoms. The most typical symptom of premature rupture of membranes is the discharge of clear fluid from the vagina. This can generally be identified as amniotic fluid by the naked eye, which helps in diagnosing premature rupture of membranes. Second, if the amount of vaginal discharge is minimal, PH test strips can be used for detection. A change in the PH strip may indicate a diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes. Third, an ultrasound can also generally assess premature rupture of membranes, as the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease when the membranes have ruptured. These methods combined can confirm the presence of premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Premature rupture of membranes causes

Premature rupture of membranes is a common complication during pregnancy, which can easily lead to intrauterine infection of the fetus and preterm delivery. The main causes of premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: First, the most common cause is an infection in the vagina, which then leads to an ascending infection, triggering chorioamnionitis. When chorioamnionitis occurs, the fragility of the membranes increases, making them prone to rupture, leading to the leakage of amniotic fluid. Second, the membranes can rupture due to a blunt impact on the abdomen, such as an accidental strong hit, which can cause the membranes to suddenly break, leading to premature rupture of membranes. Third, an excessive amount of amniotic fluid, due to various reasons, can increase the pressure inside the amniotic cavity, potentially leading to spontaneous rupture of the membranes. These are the various reasons for premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Su Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Premature rupture of membranes complications

The complications of premature rupture of membranes mainly include two aspects. The first is the impact on adults, that is, on the mother. It can lead to chorioamnionitis, causing severe infection, sepsis, and an increased chance of cesarean delivery. The second is the impact on the fetus. If premature rupture of membranes occurs, it may lead to fetal distress in utero, fetal death in utero, and neonatal infection. For instance, pneumonia caused by inhalation, neonatal asphyxia, and severe cases leading to death, etc. Once the symptoms of premature rupture of membranes are detected, it is necessary to be hospitalized as soon as possible to take the necessary treatment measures.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Can I have a bowel movement if my membranes rupture early?

According to the current situation, if premature rupture of membranes has occurred, it is first necessary to clarify whether the amount of vaginal discharge is within the normal range. If a large amount of amniotic fluid flows out of the vagina after activity, try to minimize movement as much as possible. Generally, it is necessary to adopt a left lateral recumbent position with the buttocks elevated, to reduce the outflow of amniotic fluid. It is also necessary to timely use antibiotics to control infection, assess the current progress of labor and the condition of the fetus, and decide on the specific mode of delivery. Normally, bowel movements can be performed, but try to minimize the number of times getting out of bed to avoid the continuous outflow of amniotic fluid or the occurrence of umbilical cord prolapse.

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What are the risks of premature rupture of membranes?

After premature rupture of membranes, the amniotic cavity is directly connected to the woman's vagina at this time, which primarily poses the risk of infection. If the fetus becomes infected, it is easy to lead to sepsis after birth, resulting in an increased mortality rate for the fetus. Additionally, it can cause bleeding in the fetus. Moreover, for the mother, there is a likely risk of placental abruption, which is due to the reduced abdominal tension after membrane rupture, making placental abruption more likely to occur. Furthermore, the mother is also prone to infections, which can easily lead to chorioamnionitis under these circumstances.