Can premature rupture of membranes be detected by ultrasound?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on March 14, 2025
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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.

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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 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 Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Is premature rupture of membranes prone to infection?

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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The harms of premature rupture of membranes infection

After premature rupture of membranes, because the amniotic cavity is open, some pathogens can cause intrauterine infections through ascending infections. If an infection occurs after premature rupture of the membranes, the harm caused mainly affects the mother and fetus, divided into the following two aspects: First, the impact on the fetus is that it is easy for the fetus itself to become infected, which can lead to congenital neonatal infections after birth, and in severe cases, it may cause fetal death. Second, it can cause maternal infection. If the infection is only limited to the amniotic cavity, sometimes the impact on the mother is not significant. However, if the infection spreads locally, such as into the pelvic cavity, or spreads through the bloodstream, it can cause a systemic inflammatory response, sometimes causing high fever, and in severe cases, it can lead to septic shock.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Can you walk with premature rupture of membranes?

In general, if premature rupture of membranes has already occurred, it is normally necessary to rest, avoiding standing and walking. Premature rupture of membranes mainly refers to the situation where the water breaks before the onset of labor pains. This means that the membranes have ruptured and amniotic fluid may leak out at any time. Standing or walking can easily lead to continuous leakage of amniotic fluid, resulting in a reduction of the fluid or prolapse of the umbilical cord due to the leakage. If the prolapsed umbilical cord causes compressive symptoms, the fetus can quickly die within the uterine cavity. Therefore, after confirming premature rupture of membranes, it is necessary to rest in bed with the buttocks elevated and closely monitor specific fetal heart changes.