Premature rupture of membranes' impact on the fetus

Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

Updated on May 09, 2025

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Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) refers to the rupture of the amniotic sac before the onset of labor, primarily affecting the fetus in the following ways. First, PROM can easily lead to premature birth, which may cause immature development of the fetus, often requiring treatment in neonatology. Second, PROM can lead to infections within the uterine cavity, subsequently causing newborn infections that can lead to neonatal death. Third, during the treatment of PROM, complications such as placental abruption or umbilical cord prolapse may occur, which can easily cause intrauterine hypoxia or death of the fetus. For PROM, it is essential to undergo proper treatment and monitoring. If any abnormalities arise, it is crucial to terminate the pregnancy promptly.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

1min 4sec

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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 Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

55sec

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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

56sec

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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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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

1min 11sec

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How is premature rupture of membranes diagnosed?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the membranes before labor, with amniotic fluid leaking intermittently. For the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes, the following methods are primarily used. First, through the symptoms of the patient, when the membranes rupture prematurely, a clear liquid intermittently leaks from the vagina. However, this liquid must be distinguished from vaginal secretions and urine. Second, judgement can be made based on the presence of fern-like crystals in the amniotic fluid. A small amount of the liquid can be taken and observed under a microscope, and if distinct fern-like crystals are observed, it can be concluded that there is premature rupture of membranes. Third, the use of premature rupture of membranes test strips can aid in diagnosis. If the test strip changes color upon contact with the leaking fluid, it can be definitively diagnosed as premature rupture of membranes. Fourth, ultrasound can serve as a supplementary method, as amniotic fluid often decreases with premature rupture of membranes, and an ultrasound can reveal amniotic fluid levels below the normal range.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

1min 7sec

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Can premature rupture of membranes be detected by ultrasound?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the amniotic sac before labor begins. The diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes is mainly based on clinical symptoms, gynecological examination, and ultrasound assessment. Ultrasound can only serve as an auxiliary tool for diagnosing premature rupture of membranes. This is because, during premature rupture, an ultrasound might sometimes show a reduction in amniotic fluid due to significant fluid leakage, although amniotic fluid can also regenerate quickly. In such cases, an ultrasound done for premature rupture of membranes might still show the amniotic fluid level within the normal range. Therefore, the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes heavily relies on clinical symptoms and gynecological examination. The presence of a large amount of fluid leaking from the vagina and a change in color on the amniotic fluid test strip during a gynecological examination are crucial for confirming the diagnosis. Ultrasound, in this context, serves only as a supplementary diagnostic method.