Is premature rupture of membranes prone to infection?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on January 26, 2025
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After premature rupture of membranes, various aspects of impact on both the mother and the fetus can occur, but the most important is the risk of infection.

After the rupture of membranes, since the amniotic cavity is connected to the vagina through the cervix, the bacteria present in the vagina can potentially enter the amniotic cavity through the cervix and cause an infection inside the amniotic cavity. Therefore, after the rupture of membranes, the most crucial action is to prevent infection, primarily using antibiotics for treatment and closely monitoring indicators of infection.

Monitoring for infection after premature rupture of membranes can be done in the following ways: first, pay attention to the characteristics of the amniotic fluid, which often has an odor in case of infection; second, monitor infection indicators, including white blood cells and C-reactive protein; third, observe if the pregnant woman exhibits any symptoms of fever.

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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 Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Premature rupture of membranes causes

The causes of premature rupture of membranes, or premature rupture of membranes, occur before labor when the membranes break. Normally, the membranes should rupture during labor when the cervix is fully dilated. Any rupture before this is called premature rupture of membranes. The main causes of premature rupture of membranes are maternal infections or cephalopelvic disproportion. Infections can cause the membranes to become fragile and thin, and movements afterwards may lead to premature rupture. Another scenario is cephalopelvic disproportion, where the fetus is relatively large and the pelvis is small, leading to changes in amniotic fluid pressure, which can also result in premature rupture of membranes.

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

Premature rupture of membranes, also known as water breaking or membrane rupture, refers to the rupture of the membranes before the onset of labor, causing amniotic fluid to intermittently flow out from the uterine cavity. This can pose certain risks, including umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, intrauterine infection, and fetal hypoxia. The diagnostic methods for premature rupture of membranes include the following: First, through clinical symptoms, if a large amount of fluid is found flowing out from the vagina, it can generally be determined as premature rupture of membranes. Second, if the amount of vaginal discharge is relatively small, in this case, pH test strips can be used for detection. When the pH test strips change color, it can be determined as water breaking. Third, ultrasound can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic method, as a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid due to premature rupture of membranes can be detected through ultrasound.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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How is premature rupture of membranes diagnosed?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the membranes before the onset of labor, followed by the leakage of amniotic fluid. It is necessary to distinguish premature rupture of membranes from increased vaginal discharge and urinary incontinence. The methods to diagnose premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: First, symptomatically, after the rupture of membranes, a clear liquid intermittently leaks from the vagina, accompanied by mild abdominal pain or bloody show. Second, after the rupture of membranes, the liquid leaking from the vagina can be tested with pH paper, which in most cases will change color, confirming the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes. Third, an ultrasound can be used to observe a reduction in the amount of amniotic fluid within the amniotic cavity. Fourth, the leaking fluid can be examined under a microscope to observe "fern-like" crystallization, which can also confirm the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How can premature rupture of membranes be detected?

In the late stages of pregnancy, if abnormal vaginal discharge occurs, it is necessary to consider whether there has been premature rupture of membranes. The symptoms of premature rupture of membranes include abnormal vaginal discharge, which sometimes can be heavy and, at other times, may be less. It is often accompanied by a feeling of warmth, without any pain symptoms. If it is unclear whether the condition is due to premature rupture of membranes or urinary leakage, it is recommended to visit a hospital for examination. Doctors can distinguish between premature rupture of membranes and urinary leakage using pH paper, and sometimes further ultrasound examinations are needed to monitor the amniotic fluid volume, which can determine if there has been a premature rupture of membranes.