Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) occurs when your water breaks prior to the beginning of labor. This can happen near your due date or earlier. If the membranes rupture prior to thirty seven weeks, this is known as premature PROM. PROM occurs in about one in ten women. Pre PROM occurs in about three percent of pregnancies.
The exact causes of PROM are not known. There are some risk factors associated with it. These include:
* Not getting adequate prenatal care
* Sexually transmitted disease
* Twins/multiple pregnancies
* Vaginal bleeding
* Smoking
* Prior preterm labors
* High blood pressure
You may feel water gush or trickle from your vagina with PROM. If the water is a gush, you will probably recognize that your water has broken. If the water trickles out, you may not be sure if the membranes have ruptured. Some women experience some incontinence during pregnancy and may not be sure what is happening.
Anytime you suspect your membranes have ruptured, call your doctor or midwife. He or she will probably have you come to the hospital to be examined. They can tell if your membranes have ruptured in a variety of ways. A visual exam, ph test to determine if the fluid is amniotic fluid or an ultrasound may be used.
There are certain risks associated with PROM. One is compression of the umbilical cord. When the membranes rupture, the cord can get swept into the vagina and become compressed. This can cut off oxygen and nutrients to the baby. In this case, you will most likely be given a c section. Infection is another risk with PROM.
The treatment will depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy. If you are at term and don’t go into labor within twenty four hours, you will most likely be induced. Doctors generally like to induce because there is a higher risk of infection after twenty four hours.
If your membranes rupture prior to thirty seven weeks, this is known as pre PROM. The doctor will check the condition of your baby. Lung development will be a main concern. In general, babies born at thirty four weeks or later are healthy.
If the lungs are not fully developed, you may be given steroids to help the development. In this case, the doctor may hold off on induction until the steroids have been given. You may be given antibiotics to prevent infection.
The doctor will monitor you because in some cases, with small leaks, the leak may close on its own. Even if it doesn’t and the baby is born, in the vast majority of the cases, the baby turns out fine. Early attention and medical care is the best way to ensure a safe, healthy delivery.