Is premature rupture of membranes dangerous?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 01, 2024
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When preterm premature rupture of membranes occurs, it can have certain impacts on both the pregnant woman and the fetus. The risks of preterm premature rupture of membranes primarily include the possibility of umbilical cord prolapse, preterm birth, or infection during pregnancy. If the presenting part of the fetus has not descended and the umbilical cord slips into the vagina, umbilical cord prolapse can easily occur, which is very dangerous and can lead to fetal hypoxia or even stillbirth. After the rupture of membranes, bacteria originally present in the vagina may take this opportunity to enter the uterus, causing chorioamnionitis or endometritis. If the infection is not controlled in time, sepsis may also occur.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
1min home-news-image

What will happen to fetal movement if the membranes rupture prematurely?

Generally, if premature rupture of membranes occurs, it is necessary to clearly determine the specific development of the embryo and the specific gestational age. If the fetus is preterm with premature rupture of membranes, it is necessary to promptly provide anti-infection treatment and promote fetal lung maturity among other symptomatic treatments. If the fetus is already at term, it is important to closely monitor the specific condition of cervical dilation and abdominal pain to decide on the mode of delivery. Normally, premature rupture of membranes does not affect fetal movement at all. A fetal heart rate monitoring test can be conducted to clarify the specific situation of the embryo's development within the uterine cavity and whether there is any fetal hypoxia, to comprehensively analyze the situation.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What fruits are good to eat when membranes rupture prematurely?

When premature rupture of membranes occurs, pregnant women can moderately consume some fruits that have a low sugar content. It is also important to eat fruit between meals in appropriate amounts, not excessively, as it might affect normal eating. Neutral fruits are recommended, including pomegranates, lemons, oranges, grapes, apples, olives, pineapples, and bananas, all of which are suitable to eat after premature rupture of membranes. Additionally, fruits such as kiwis, cherries, crabapples, and loquats can be consumed to supplement vitamins and folic acid. Fruits rich in Vitamin C such as tangerines, and also oranges and grapefruits, are also good options.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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Does premature rupture of membranes require induction of labor?

The management of premature rupture of membranes varies depending on the gestational age. If the rupture occurs very early in pregnancy, the doctor will assess the maturity of the fetus. If it seems that the child still has a long way to mature, or it is difficult to conservatively maintain the pregnancy until maturity, induction of labor may be recommended. If the doctor feels that the fetus is mature enough, then induction of labor may be considered, which involves the administration of drugs to induce labor. If it is between these two scenarios, expectant management may be advised, which involves not inducing labor, along with infection prevention, bed rest, etc. Since infection can occur after a long duration of membrane rupture, it is important to closely monitor infection indicators during this period. If an infection is detected, labor may be induced using drugs to expedite delivery.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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The hazards of premature rupture of membranes

Premature rupture of membranes primarily affects the mother by leading to infections. Once the membranes rupture, bacteria can easily enter the uterine cavity from the vagina, causing chorioamnionitis. Additionally, it may lead to placental abruption, as the rupture of the membranes causes a decrease in abdominal tension, thus making placental abruption more likely to occur. It also leads to an increased rate of cesarean sections, because the reduction in amniotic fluid can cause irregular uterine contractions and the umbilical cord to be easily compressed, which may endanger the fetus. The main impact on the fetus is an increased risk of preterm birth.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Will the fetus still move if the membranes rupture prematurely?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of membranes before labor, with amniotic fluid leaking intermittently. Based on the timing of the rupture, it can be classified into term premature rupture of membranes and preterm premature rupture of membranes. Although amniotic fluid will leak after the membranes rupture, leading to a reduction in its volume, amniotic fluid continues to be produced. Therefore, the fetus will still continue to move actively inside the uterus. In most cases, there is no abnormality in fetal movements after membrane rupture. However, if the membranes have been ruptured for a long time, or if the fetus experiences intrauterine hypoxia due to other factors, a decrease or absence of fetal movements may occur. Thus, normally, fetal movements continue after membrane rupture, but they may decrease or disappear if hypoxia occurs.