Premature rupture of membranes symptoms

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on November 25, 2024
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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 Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
47sec home-news-image

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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home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
59sec home-news-image

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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home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
55sec home-news-image

Premature rupture of membranes causes and symptoms

The symptoms of premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: First, the most important symptom is the intermittent discharge of clear fluid from the vagina, which is often the most typical symptom of premature rupture of membranes. Second, abdominal pain can occur, as the rupture of the membranes can stimulate contractions causing pain. Third, sometimes there may be a small amount of spotting, mainly due to a small amount of bleeding caused when the membranes rupture. The causes of premature rupture of membranes include the following aspects: First, excessive amniotic fluid can cause high pressure inside the amniotic cavity, which may sometimes lead to spontaneous rupture of the membranes. Second, if there is local inflammation, such as chorioamnionitis, it can also cause the membranes to rupture under severe conditions, leading to premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should I do if the membranes rupture prematurely?

If it occurs before the baby is full-term and there is premature rupture of membranes, efforts should be made to preserve the pregnancy and prolong its duration. It is necessary to rest in bed, maintain cleanliness of the external genitalia, and closely monitor the condition of vaginal discharge, contractions, and whether the mother has any infections. If more than 12 hours have passed since the rupture of membranes, antibiotics should be administered to prevent infection, which can help prevent neonatal pneumonia and also reduce the occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage in the baby, as well as decrease the incidence of chorioamnionitis and postpartum endometritis. Medications that inhibit uterine contractions should be used if contractions occur. Additionally, medications that promote the maturation of the fetal lungs should be used to prevent preterm birth, which can lead to breathing difficulties.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
46sec home-news-image

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.