Premature rupture of membranes causes

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on September 14, 2024
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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 Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Premature rupture of membranes symptoms

Premature rupture of membranes, as the name implies, refers to the clinical symptoms caused by the rupture of the amniotic sac before labor. These symptoms include the following aspects. First, there will be a leakage of amniotic fluid from the vagina, manifesting as wet pants or a wet bedsheet, which is a primary indication of premature rupture of membranes. Second, when the membranes rupture prematurely, there is often a small amount of bloody show. This is mainly because there are small capillaries on the membranes that also bleed when the membranes rupture, causing blood to mix with the amniotic fluid. Third, premature rupture of membranes often is accompanied by significant contractions, as the increase in pressure within the amniotic cavity during contractions can cause the membranes to rupture. When these situations occur, it is important to promptly go to the hospital to undergo an ultrasound and gynecological examination to confirm whether there is a premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can you have a bowel movement if the membranes rupture early?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the amniotic sac before the onset of labor. After the premature rupture of membranes, amniotic fluid continuously leaks out, and there is a possibility of complications such as umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, and fetal intrauterine hypoxia. After the premature rupture of membranes, whether it is immediate delivery or treatment to prolong the pregnancy, the patient generally must not engage in out-of-bed activities. It is necessary for women with premature rupture of membranes to rest in bed, and one of the most important requirements is to manage urination and defecation while in bed. Although using a bedpan is uncomfortable and many women find it hard to adapt, it is unavoidable. This is because standing after the rupture of membranes can lead to excessive loss of amniotic fluid and increase the risk of umbilical cord prolapse and placental abruption; therefore, it is necessary to use a bedpan for bowel movements while remaining in bed.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Is the risk of infection high with premature rupture of membranes?

In general, after premature rupture of membranes, there is still a significant risk of intrauterine infection. Normally, after premature rupture of membranes, it is necessary to clearly determine whether the development size of the embryo inside the uterine cavity is mature, as well as the specific amount of premature rupture of membranes and vaginal discharge. If the rupture of membranes is severe and there is a large amount of amniotic fluid flowing out of the vagina, it generally may lead to a reduction in amniotic fluid and significantly increase the risk of infection. After confirming premature rupture of membranes, it is necessary to actively use antibiotics for symptomatic treatment to prevent infections, promote fetal lung maturity inside the uterine cavity, and reduce the risk of delayed lung function development in the fetus after childbirth.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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How to prevent premature rupture of membranes

Premature rupture of membranes is a common complication during pregnancy. Although it is not very severe, it can easily lead to premature delivery and intrauterine infection. If the premature rupture of membranes is not treated promptly, it can also lead to fetal death in utero or cause severe infection in the mother. Prevention is generally emphasized for premature rupture of membranes. First, it is important to prevent vaginal inflammation, as if vaginal inflammation occurs and is not treated promptly, these inflammations can cause infection of the membranes, which then leads to membrane rupture. Second, it is necessary to control uterine contractions. If the intensity of the contractions is very strong, medication should be used early to suppress the contractions, to minimize the exogenous pressure on the membranes. Third, attention should be paid to controlling the amount of amniotic fluid. If there is an excessive amount of amniotic fluid, it is important to carefully look for the causes and intervene. Excessive amniotic fluid can produce high endogenous pressure on the membranes, which also makes them more likely to rupture prematurely. (Please consult a professional physician for medication guidance and do not medicate blindly.)

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can you still have a natural birth if the membranes rupture prematurely?

Whether a natural delivery is possible after premature rupture of membranes depends on the condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus. If the woman's pelvis is normal and there are no signs of intrauterine hypoxia in the baby, then a natural delivery can be conducted. If, during natural delivery, the baby shows signs of hypoxia or the woman's pelvic conditions are not favorable, a cesarean section should be performed promptly after the premature rupture of membranes. If delivery cannot be achieved naturally within 24 hours after the premature rupture of membranes, it is crucial to prevent infection.