Obstetrics General Obstertrics

Rupture of membranes Wikipedia

The rupture of membranes is a term used during pregnancy of the reproductive female to describe a rupture of membranes.
A premature rupture of membranes (PROM (medical)|PROM) is a rupture that occurs prior to labour (childbirth)|labour in childbirth.

Maternal risk factors for a premature rupture of membranes include chorioamnionitis or sepsis.
Fetal factors include prematurity, infection, cord prolapse, or malpresentation.

Assessment of a rupture of membranes involves taking a proper medical history, a gynecological exam using a speculum, nitrazine, cytologic (ferning) tests, and ultrasound.

In terms premature rupture of membranes situations, spontaneous labour should be permitted, with an induction of labour at approximately 6 hours if it has not already begun, and Streptococcus|Group B Streptococcal prophylaxis at 18 hours.

In premature birth premature rupture of membranes, antibiotic therapy should be given to decrease the risk of sepsis.
Ampicillin or erythromycin should be administered for 7 days, and antenatal steriods if the gestational age is less than 30 weeks.
Tocolysis is also used, though its use in this context is controversial.
The mother should be admitted to hospital and put under careful surveillance for preterm labour and chorioamnionitis.
Induction of labour should happen at around 36 weeks.

Last Modified:   2005-12-23