What You Need to Know from Premature rupture of membranes

Normally, rupture of membranes occurs just before delivery, which is when the pregnancy reaches the age of 38-40 weeks. However, sometimes the membranes break before their time. This condition is called premature rupture of membranes, and can endanger the condition of both mother and baby. Amniotic fluid is fluid in the bag that surrounds the fetus in the uterus. Under normal conditions, this amniotic sac will rupture just before labor occurs. However, there are times when the membranes break out faster than they should. A pregnant woman is said to experience premature rupture of membranes if:

• Fluid seeps before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The earlier the rupture of membranes, the more dangerous it is for the mother and her baby.
• Amniotic rupture occurs when gestational age is nearing the estimated day of birth, but childbirth does not occur within a period of 24 hours thereafter.

Causes of Premature Amniotic Disease

The exact cause of premature rupture of membranes is still not known clearly, but this condition is thought to arise due to weakening of the amniotic sac or the presence of excess pressure around the amniotic fluid, for example due to uterine contractions. In addition, there are several factors that can increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes, namely:

• An infection in the urinary tract, uterus, cervix, or vagina.
• Excessive volume of amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) or twin pregnancy, causing the uterus and amniotic sac to stretch excessively.
• Pregnant women with low body weight or underweight.
• Smoking habits during pregnancy.
• Have had a biopsy or surgery on the cervix (cervix).
• Have experienced premature rupture of membranes before.
• Have experienced bleeding during pregnancy.
• Suffering from sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy.

Early Treatment of Amniotic Disorders

Handling premature rupture of membranes will usually be adjusted to the gestational age, the condition of the fetus in the womb, and the condition of the mother's health. The following are some of the treatments that will be performed by doctors based on when the premature rupture of membranes:

1. Pregnancy more than 37 weeks

If premature rupture of membranes occurs when the gestational age is past 37 weeks, the fetus in the womb needs to be born immediately. The longer the delivery process, the greater the chance of pregnant women and fetuses getting infected.

2. Age of pregnancy 34-37 weeks

The doctor will probably suggest labor induction so that the baby is born a few weeks early. This is done to prevent the baby from being infected.

3. Age of pregnancy 23-34 weeks

Usually the doctor will suggest delaying the birth so that the fetus in the womb has enough time to grow and develop. Pregnant women will be given antibiotics to prevent infection, and corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung development.

4. Gestational age is less than 23 weeks

If the membranes rupture before the womb is 23 weeks old, the doctor will need to evaluate the condition of the mother and fetus to determine whether a high-risk pregnancy is maintained. In premature rupture of membranes at a very young gestational age, your doctor may prescribe uterine relaxing medicine and additional amniotic fluid (amnioinfusion). For pregnant women who are at risk of premature rupture of membranes as mentioned above, it is recommended to routinely undergo a pregnancy checkup and consult a gynecologist, so that premature rupture of membranes can be avoided.