Amniotic fluid usually breaks when the mother is in contraction to give birth to the baby. However, there are times when premature rupture of membranes can lead to serious complications.
During pregnancy, the fetus in the womb is protected and surrounded by a membrane (membrane) containing a fluid called the amniotic sac. Moments before the fetus or baby is born, the sac will burst and a fluid called amniotic fluid will pass through the vagina. However, there are times when amniotic fluid bursts prematurely or at any time before the age of 37 weeks.
The cause of membranes is the premature rupture
Early rupture of membranes usually leads to preterm labor aka the baby was forced to be born prematurely. The water ruptured early amniotic can be due to several things like the following:
- Uterine, cervical, or vaginal infections. This is a common trigger of premature rupture of membranes.
- Trauma, due to motor vehicle accidents, falls, and as.
- The uterus and the membranes are too stretchy. This is caused by the number of fetuses in the womb more than one or the volume of amniotic fluid that is too much.
- Stress or smoke during pregnancy.
- Underwent surgery or cervical biopsy.
- Have had premature rupture of membranes in previous pregnancies.
- Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
- Low maternal body mass index.
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Early rupture of membrane complications
A premature rupture of membranes may be considered serious because it may lead to:
- The baby is born prematurely.
- Increased risk of placental retention (partial or all placenta is left in the uterus). This may result in primary and secondary postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss within 24 hours to six weeks postpartum).
- Oligohydramnios (too little amniotic fluid) when it occurs in a young pregnancy. This condition will cause infection in the fetus and even fetal death.
- Placental Solution (partial or complete removal of the placenta from the uterine wall prior to labor).
- The fetal cord is broken.
- When membranes rupture, germs can migrate into the amniotic sac causing uterine infection. Symptoms include increased body temperature, unusual vaginal discharge, unpleasant smelling vagina, rapid pulse, lower abdominal pain, and a baby's heart beat faster than normal.
- When the amniotic fluid is lost, the cord can be squeezed between the baby and the uterine wall. As a result, the baby may experience brain injury or even death.
- If the membranes rupture before the 23 weeks of pregnancy, the baby's lungs are unlikely to develop properly. Because early in pregnancy, amniotic fluid is needed for the formation of lung tissue.
- If the membranes rupture at the age of 18 and 22-23 weeks of pregnancy, the lung tissue of the fetus will never be formed. In addition, other fetal limbs may also not develop normally.
If you suspect or feel the water ruptured early membranes, immediately go to the hospital to get treatment. The amniotic fluid can be identified by its clear-colored features or there are white spots, with blood or mucus, and odorless.
