Can you still have a natural birth if the membranes rupture prematurely?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Whether a natural delivery is possible after premature rupture of membranes depends on the condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus.

If the woman's pelvis is normal and there are no signs of intrauterine hypoxia in the baby, then a natural delivery can be conducted.

If, during natural delivery, the baby shows signs of hypoxia or the woman's pelvic conditions are not favorable, a cesarean section should be performed promptly after the premature rupture of membranes.

If delivery cannot be achieved naturally within 24 hours after the premature rupture of membranes, it is crucial to prevent infection.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Will the fetus still move if the membranes rupture prematurely?

Firstly, it is necessary to identify what the issue of premature rupture of membranes is. Premature rupture of membranes can occur during early pregnancy or the mid-to-late pregnancy stage and involves uncontrollable leakage of fluid from the vagina. If there is no umbilical cord prolapse after the rupture of membranes, the baby will definitely move. The most common issues following premature rupture of membranes are umbilical cord prolapse and infection, as well as a reduction in amniotic fluid. What should be done after premature rupture of membranes occurs? It is essential to remain in bed, raise the buttocks, and avoid getting out of bed. Getting out of bed increases the risk of umbilical cord prolapse, and following umbilical cord prolapse, fetal death in utero can occur, after which fetal movement will no longer be observed.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Premature rupture of membranes symptoms

Under normal circumstances, if there is no regular contraction and the amniotic fluid breaks after full-term, it is known as premature rupture of membranes. Regardless of the period, if premature rupture of membranes occurs, active symptomatic treatment is necessary. Normally, premature rupture of membranes may involve sudden vaginal discharge caused by various reasons. The amount of discharge can vary, usually being continuous, with the duration also varying. It starts with a large amount, then gradually decreases, with a few cases being intermittent. The vaginal discharge is usually related to changes in the pregnant woman's posture or activity. It can be seen that fluid leaks from the vaginal opening, or flows out from inside the vagina during upper fetal head push, pressing on the fundus, or when the posture of the pregnant woman changes. This condition can then be confirmed as premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can premature rupture of membranes at 14 weeks heal?

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the rupture of the amniotic sac before labor, causing intermittent discharge of amniotic fluid. Premature rupture of membranes can occur at any stage of pregnancy, and it is generally believed in clinical practice that it is more likely to occur in the mid to late stages of pregnancy. The probability of occurrence before 20 weeks of pregnancy is relatively low. If premature rupture of membranes occurs at 14 weeks of pregnancy, once diagnosed, it is irreversible as there is currently no method to cure it. For 14-week premature rupture of membranes, an ultrasound, vaginal examination, and pH paper test should first be conducted to confirm whether it is indeed a premature rupture of membranes. If it is confirmed as a premature rupture of membranes, then the only option is to terminate the pregnancy; if it is not, the pregnancy can be continued.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Symptoms of premature rupture of membranes infection

Premature rupture of membranes refers to the breaking of the fetal membrane before the onset of labor, followed by the leakage of amniotic fluid. The greatest risk of premature rupture of membranes is the potential to cause an infection in the amniotic cavity. The symptoms of infection due to premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: First, the smell and color of the amniotic fluid will change. The amniotic fluid may become purulent and have a foul smell, which suggests an infection within the amniotic cavity. Second, blood tests can reveal elevated infection markers, primarily an increase in white blood cells and C-reactive protein well above the normal range. Third, the patient may experience contractions or lower abdominal tenderness and rebound pain. When there is an infection in the amniotic cavity, symptoms of peritonitis may occur, along with manifestations of contractions, presenting as episodic pain in the lower abdomen. These are the symptoms of infection from premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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Can premature rupture of membranes be repaired?

The amniotic sac, once ruptured, cannot be repaired. It is a membrane that envelops the fetus and the amniotic fluid, providing protection against microbial invasion from the outside and preventing infection of the fetus. Once ruptured, not only can the amniotic fluid leak, leading to a decrease in its volume, but it can also lead to infections and the possibility of umbilical cord prolapse. Typically, rupture of the amniotic sac naturally leads to contractions. Therefore, if it is not yet full-term, it is important to prevent the rupture of the amniotic sac.