What to do if the amniotic sac breaks early?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on November 13, 2024
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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 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.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Premature rupture of membranes causes

The causes of premature rupture of membranes, or premature rupture of membranes, occur before labor when the membranes break. Normally, the membranes should rupture during labor when the cervix is fully dilated. Any rupture before this is called premature rupture of membranes. The main causes of premature rupture of membranes are maternal infections or cephalopelvic disproportion. Infections can cause the membranes to become fragile and thin, and movements afterwards may lead to premature rupture. Another scenario is cephalopelvic disproportion, where the fetus is relatively large and the pelvis is small, leading to changes in amniotic fluid pressure, which can also result in premature rupture of membranes.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can you still have a natural birth if the membranes rupture prematurely?

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 Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is premature rupture of membranes dangerous?

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 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.