How to prevent premature rupture of membranes? The dangers of premature rupture of membranes

Amniotic fluid is the basic condition for the fetus to survive in the mother's belly. What should we do if premature rupture of amniotic fluid occurs before full term? What harm does premature rupture of amniotic fluid have on the fetus? How should we deal with premature rupture of amniotic fluid? Let's take a look~

What does it feel like when your water breaks?

The exact feeling of the water breaking varies from person to person. Normally, the amniotic fluid looks similar to urine and is very clear. If the water breaks, it will flow out uncontrollably.

Amniotic fluid is colorless and odorless. When the amniotic fluid flows out, if the amount is large, it will feel warm and clear, and it cannot be controlled by humans. When the amount is small, it always feels a little wet, like urination, but it is not controlled by oneself and is continuous. However, vaginal secretions will also increase in the late pregnancy, which does not necessarily mean that the water has broken.

Generally, when the water breaks, you will feel a sudden flow of water out of the vagina. When the fetal head descends and blocks the cervical opening, the flow of water will decrease, but some water will still flow out as the pregnant woman moves.

Therefore, it is best to go to the hospital for a doctor's check. If it is indeed water breaking, you can't wait any longer and must be hospitalized for delivery. If water breaking is not treated for a long time, it is easy to cause uterine cavity infection. Some people will have water breaking before the due date.

Don't mistake water breaking for frequent urination

In the third trimester, the vaginal discharge of expectant mothers will increase, and the bladder will be compressed by the growing baby, causing frequent urination. Therefore, when the amniotic fluid breaks, the expectant mother will mistakenly think that she has wet her pants with urine. At this time, it is very important to determine whether the amniotic fluid has broken in advance.

Generally, when the water breaks, the expectant mother can feel a stream of water flowing out of the vagina, and then the fetus descends to block the position of the cervical opening, so the amount of water flowing out decreases, but it does not stop. If the pregnant mother makes an inaccurate judgment, bacteria may go up through the vagina to the uterus, causing complications such as fetal infection and umbilical cord prolapse.

In this regard, expectant mothers can use a specific chemical test paper to put it into the vagina to test whether it is premature rupture of amniotic fluid or urine outflow. If the test paper shows dark green after being wetted, then the amniotic fluid has broken. When this test paper is observed under a microscope, small fat blocks and fetal hair in the amniotic fluid can also be seen. Of course, it can also be distinguished by smell. Generally, the smell of urine is more pungent, while the smell of amniotic fluid is lighter, and even has some body fragrance. This may depend on the analysis of the expectant mothers.

The dangers of premature rupture of membranes

1. Cause premature birth of the fetus

The fetal membrane is the protective membrane of the fetus. If the membrane ruptures prematurely, the amniotic fluid will leak out prematurely and lose its protective effect on the fetus. After the amniotic fluid leaks out, the uterus will become smaller, which will constantly stimulate the uterine contraction. If the fetus is not full-term, premature birth will occur. The organs of premature babies are not fully developed, their weight is low, their ability to survive is very poor, and they are prone to premature death.

2. Cause fetal distress

If the water breaks before labor begins and the fetal presenting part is not determined, the umbilical cord will prolapse along with the amniotic fluid, causing distress to the fetus in the uterus.

3. Cause delayed labor and fetal hypoxia

If too much amniotic fluid flows out, the uterus will stick close to the fetus's body, stimulating the uterus to cause uncoordinated uterine contractions, thereby affecting the progress of labor and placental blood circulation, leading to dystocia and fetal hypoxia.

4. Cause mother-to-child infection

The longer the membranes rupture, the greater the chance of intrauterine infection. If the fetus inhales infected amniotic fluid, it will cause aspiration pneumonia. In addition, the mother is also prone to infection during delivery or puerperal infection.

How to prevent premature rupture of membranes

1. Adhere to regular prenatal check-ups: check once a month for 4-6 months; check once every half month for 7-9 months; check once a week for those over 9 months; and check at any time if there are special circumstances.

2. Do not engage in strenuous activities in the middle and late stages of pregnancy. Do not overwork yourself in life and work. Maintain a happy mood every day and take appropriate walks outside.

3. Avoid long walks or running. Be careful when walking to avoid falling, especially when going up and down stairs. Do not lift heavy objects or walk on the bumpy road for a long time.

4. Reduce sexual activity during pregnancy, especially in the last 3 months of pregnancy. Sexual activity is prohibited in the last month of pregnancy to avoid stimulating the uterus and causing premature rupture of amniotic fluid.