Symptoms of premature rupture of membranes infection

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Premature rupture of membranes refers to the breaking of the fetal membrane before the onset of labor, followed by the leakage of amniotic fluid. The greatest risk of premature rupture of membranes is the potential to cause an infection in the amniotic cavity. The symptoms of infection due to premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects:

First, the smell and color of the amniotic fluid will change. The amniotic fluid may become purulent and have a foul smell, which suggests an infection within the amniotic cavity.

Second, blood tests can reveal elevated infection markers, primarily an increase in white blood cells and C-reactive protein well above the normal range.

Third, the patient may experience contractions or lower abdominal tenderness and rebound pain. When there is an infection in the amniotic cavity, symptoms of peritonitis may occur, along with manifestations of contractions, presenting as episodic pain in the lower abdomen. These are the symptoms of infection from premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
1min 13sec home-news-image

Does premature rupture of membranes require a cesarean section?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the membranes before labor begins, causing amniotic fluid to leak periodically from the uterine cavity. Pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes can choose either vaginal delivery or cesarean section. Simply having a premature rupture of membranes is not an indication for cesarean section, but in some special cases of premature rupture of membranes, a cesarean section may be necessary. First, if the mother has previously had a cesarean delivery and experiences premature rupture of membranes in a subsequent pregnancy, a cesarean may be chosen; second, if the fetal position is abnormal, such as breech or transverse lies, after the rupture of membranes, a cesarean may be necessary; third, cesarean can be considered if fetal hypoxia occurs. For typical cases of premature rupture of membranes, a vaginal delivery can be attempted, but during the process, it is important to enhance fetal heart monitoring. If severe complications such as fetal hypoxia or placental abruption occur, it may be necessary to switch from vaginal delivery to cesarean section.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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What are the risks of premature rupture of membranes?

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) refers to the rupture of the amniotic sac before the onset of labor, resulting in intermittent discharge of amniotic fluid from within the uterine cavity. PROM carries the following risks: Firstly, once rupture occurs, pathogens within the vagina can enter the uterine cavity through the cervix, easily leading to infections within the uterine cavity. Severe cases can cause maternal infections, leading to sepsis or septic shock. Secondly, an infection in the uterine cavity can easily cause fetal hypoxia in utero, or even stillbirth. Thirdly, when PROM occurs, the intermittent outflow of amniotic fluid can lead to prolapse of the umbilical cord. Fourthly, PROM can cause a decrease in the pressure within the uterine cavity, which may lead to the detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall, causing placental abruption.

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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 Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Premature rupture of membranes causes and symptoms

The symptoms of premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: First, the most important symptom is the intermittent discharge of clear fluid from the vagina, which is often the most typical symptom of premature rupture of membranes. Second, abdominal pain can occur, as the rupture of the membranes can stimulate contractions causing pain. Third, sometimes there may be a small amount of spotting, mainly due to a small amount of bleeding caused when the membranes rupture. The causes of premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: First, excessive amniotic fluid can cause high pressure inside the amniotic cavity, which may sometimes lead to spontaneous rupture of the membranes. Second, if there is local inflammation, such as chorioamnionitis, it can also cause the membranes to rupture under severe conditions, leading to premature rupture of membranes.

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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.