How can premature rupture of membranes be detected?

Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on March 22, 2025
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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.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can premature rupture of membranes recover?

Premature rupture of membranes cannot be reversed. This means that the patient's membranes rupture before labor begins, and the ruptured membranes cannot be restored to their original, unruptured state. When the membranes rupture, most patients will feel fluid leaking from the vagina, and the patient does not experience abdominal pain or any sensation of being about to give birth; this is referred to as premature rupture of membranes. Upon discovering this condition, the first step is to have the patient rest in bed, as this situation can easily lead to the exposure of the fetal umbilical cord, which can endanger the child's life.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How long can premature rupture of membranes last?

When premature rupture of membranes occurs, it can last up to 24 hours. If labor has not commenced 24 hours after rupture, pregnancy termination becomes necessary, and one can either induce labor to facilitate a vaginal delivery or opt for a cesarean section. For ruptures occurring between the 28th and 35th weeks of pregnancy, as the baby's lungs are not yet fully developed, it is crucial to administer medication promptly to help mature the fetal lungs and extend the gestational period as much as possible. Once the fetal lung development is adequate, pregnancy should be terminated in a timely manner. For cases of premature rupture of membranes occurring after 36 weeks of pregnancy, where fetal development is generally mature, pregnancy can be terminated more promptly.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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What to do if the amniotic sac breaks early?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the membranes before labor begins. The management of premature rupture of membranes depends on the timing of the rupture and the condition of the fetus in the uterine cavity. First, for premature rupture of membranes after 34 weeks of pregnancy, since the gestational age is relatively advanced, the fetus is larger and more mature. In this case, the risks associated with continuing the pregnancy are higher. For premature rupture of membranes after 34 weeks, it is generally advised to allow natural progression or to deliver as soon as possible, and it is not recommended to attempt to prolong the pregnancy. Second, for premature rupture of membranes before 28 weeks of pregnancy, since the fetus is very small and the success rate of prolonging the pregnancy is relatively low under these circumstances, it is generally advised to terminate the pregnancy. Third, for premature rupture of membranes between 28 and 34 weeks, an attempt can be made to prolong the pregnancy as much as possible. However, if fetal hypoxia or infection occurs, the pregnancy should be terminated promptly.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Will there still be fetal movement if the membranes rupture early?

When premature rupture of membranes occurs, amniotic fluid will leak intermittently, which can cause some pregnant women to worry about fetal hypoxia or even lack of fetal movement inside the womb. However, this concern is misguided. Although the amniotic fluid may leak intermittently when membranes rupture prematurely, new amniotic fluid is continuously produced to replenish it. Thus, the fetus will still be active within the uterus and fetal movements can still be felt. However, after premature rupture of membranes, it is crucial to monitor whether the frequency of fetal movements is normal. This is because the chances of fetal hypoxia or intrauterine infection can increase after membrane rupture, and monitoring fetal movements is one of the simplest and most effective ways to assess the fetal condition in the uterus. If a decrease in fetal movements is observed, it is imperative to promptly carry out fetal heart monitoring or assess the overall condition of the pregnant woman. If fetal hypoxia is confirmed, it may be necessary to terminate the pregnancy swiftly.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Will premature rupture of membranes continuously cause leaking of fluid?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the membranes before labor, characterized by intermittent discharge of amniotic fluid from the vagina. To diagnose premature rupture of membranes, it is necessary to combine the patient's clinical symptoms with objective examinations. However, this does not mean that amniotic fluid will continuously leak after the membranes rupture. The leakage of amniotic fluid in cases of premature rupture of membranes is intermittent, primarily because many patients choose to rest in bed after the rupture. When lying flat, the amniotic fluid will not continuously leak out and may come out in spurts at times. Therefore, the belief that amniotic fluid will continuously leak following premature rupture of membranes is incorrect; intermittent leakage can also indicate a rupture. If premature rupture of membranes cannot be diagnosed based on the vaginal discharge alone, pH test strips may be used to test the fluid. If the pH test strip changes color, it can confirm the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes.