Is premature rupture of membranes premature birth? Does premature rupture of membranes mean birth is imminent?

Premature rupture of membranes has a great impact on pregnant mothers and fetuses, and may endanger the baby's life. So is premature rupture of membranes premature birth? Does premature rupture of membranes mean birth? What are the emergency treatment measures after premature rupture of membranes?

Is premature rupture of membranes premature birth?

The incidence of premature rupture of membranes is not very high, but it usually causes serious consequences, generally leading to premature birth or perinatal death. In fact, if we do a good job of preventing diseases during pregnancy, we may be able to prevent premature rupture of membranes. So will premature rupture of membranes lead to premature birth?

If the consequences of premature rupture of membranes are serious, it will lead to premature birth. However, premature rupture of membranes is divided into full-term premature rupture of membranes and pre-term premature rupture of membranes. If it is full-term premature rupture of membranes, it is not considered a premature birth.

Premature rupture of membranes is prone to complications of intrauterine infection, which can affect the fetus. Clinical data show that patients with premature rupture of membranes are prone to acute fetal membrane inflammation, and the longer the membrane ruptures, the greater the chance of infection. Mothers with intrauterine infection may suffer toxic shock, endangering the mother's life. If the infection affects the fetus, it may cause intrauterine distress or even death in the abdomen.

After delivery, the abnormal incidence of neonatal asphyxia, neonatal pneumonia, sepsis and even neonatal death can be as high as over 50%.

If the premature rupture of membranes is caused by malposition of the fetus, it is easy to cause umbilical cord prolapse, interruption of fetal blood circulation, and fetal death. If it occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it can lead to premature birth and late miscarriage. Premature babies are not only difficult to feed, but also prone to death. If the amniotic fluid is drained, it can lead to "dry birth".

At this time, the uterus tightly wraps around the fetus, affecting the blood circulation of the uterus and placenta. Due to insufficient blood supply, the fetus is prone to intrauterine asphyxia, and it can also cause uncoordinated contraction of the uterus, prolonging the labor process, increasing the rate of dystocia and the chance of cesarean section.

Since most cases of premature rupture of membranes occur at home and pregnant women do not feel any pain, pregnant women and their families often do not pay enough attention to it, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment, which can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, expectant mothers must learn to judge.

Risks of premature rupture of membranes

Premature rupture of membranes can have serious effects on both the mother and the fetus. Specifically, it may include the following aspects:

1. Most premature births are related to premature rupture of membranes. Premature infants are prone to complications such as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, fetal and neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, necrotizing enteritis, etc., and the perinatal mortality rate increases.

2. It may lead to intrauterine infection. This situation will cause a rapid fetal heart rate and uterine tenderness. If the amniotic fluid has a foul odor, it indicates that the infection is already serious. Intrauterine infection is very dangerous to perinatal infants, especially premature infants. The incidence of sepsis and pneumonia is very high, and it is an important cause of perinatal death.

3. Premature rupture of membranes is a sign of dystocia. Abnormal fetal position can lead to premature rupture of membranes. Therefore, expectant mothers with premature rupture of membranes should pay attention to check whether they have pelvic stenosis, cephalopelvic disproportion, and abnormal head position. If dystocia occurs, the labor process will inevitably be prolonged, which is easy to cause intrauterine infection.

4. Postpartum hemorrhage. Intrauterine infection can affect the decidua and myometrium, affecting uterine contraction and increasing bleeding. In severe cases, the uterus needs to be removed.

5. Amniotic fluid embolism. When oxytocin is administered intravenously after premature rupture of membranes, if it is used improperly, amniotic fluid, especially amniotic fluid containing meconium, can be forced to enter the maternal circulation from the cervical vein of the uterus. Amniotic fluid embolism seriously threatens the life of the parturient.

6. Umbilical cord prolapse or compression. If the fetal presenting part is not engaged, the risk of umbilical cord prolapse increases after rupture of membranes. The umbilical cord is compressed due to the decrease of amniotic fluid secondary to rupture of membranes, which can also cause fetal distress. If the amniotic fluid flows out, it can lead to "dry birth".

In short, the impact of premature rupture of membranes cannot be underestimated, and mothers should be more careful!

Effects on mother and baby

1. It adds mental burden and psychological pressure to expectant mothers. At the same time, premature rupture of membranes can increase the risk of intrauterine infection and puerperal infection. In severe cases, sepsis may occur and even endanger life.

2. Since the inflammation invades the amnion and chorion, in severe cases it can affect the decidua and myometrium, thus affecting uterine contraction, leading to secondary uterine atony and increased bleeding.

3. If infection occurs during labor, pregnancy is often forced to be terminated, increasing the chances of premature birth and surgical delivery.

4. It can induce premature birth, and the incidence of fetal lung infection and fetal distress will increase significantly.

Management of premature rupture of membranes

1. The first thing to do after water breaking is to lie flat with your hips raised, and then go to the hospital as soon as possible accompanied by your family.

2. Expectant mothers should be hospitalized for delivery and pay close attention to changes in fetal heart sounds. Those whose fetal presenting part is not engaged should stay in bed and rest, preferably lying on their side, to prevent umbilical cord prolapse.

3. If the woman is about to give birth, do not stop the labor process. If there is amnionitis, try to end the labor as soon as possible, regardless of gestational age.

4. If labor has not started and there are no signs of infection, and the fetus has reached full term, it can be observed for 12 to 18 hours. If labor has not started, induction of labor or cesarean section can be performed according to the situation.

5. When the pregnancy is less than 35 weeks, because the fetal lungs are still immature, if there are no obvious clinical signs of infection and no fetal distress, the doctor will try to give the expectant mother tomyocardial treatment to prolong the gestational age and use glucocorticoids to promote the maturity of the fetal lungs, while preventing fetal infection.

6. For expectant mothers with premature rupture of membranes, if there are conditions for vaginal delivery, no cephalopelvic disproportion, and the fetus is mature, they can give birth naturally.

7. If the pregnancy reaches 35 weeks, the fetus is viable, and the mother is able to give birth vaginally, but the amount of amniotic fluid is low and the mother cannot tolerate the labor process, or there are fetal distress, placental abruption, umbilical cord prolapse, etc., then the doctor will recommend a caesarean section.