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    High-Risk Pregnancy Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)

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    elimcangco
    Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs when the amniotic sac breaks before labor begins, often due to infection. PROM complicates about 10% of pregnancies, while preterm PROM (before 37 weeks) occurs in 2% of pregnancies. A significant risk of PPROM is that the baby will likely be delivered within a week. Other risks include infection of the placenta and umbilical cord compression. Symptoms include leaking fluid from the vagina. Diagnosis involves testing the fluid's pH, looking at it under a microscope, and ultrasound. Treatment may include hospitalization, monitoring for infection, corticosteroids to mature the baby's lungs, antibiotics, stopping preterm

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    High-Risk Pregnancy Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)

    Uploaded by

    elimcangco
    919 views3 pages
    Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs when the amniotic sac breaks before labor begins, often due to infection. PROM complicates about 10% of pregnancies, while preterm PROM (before 37 weeks) occurs in 2% of pregnancies. A significant risk of PPROM is that the baby will likely be delivered within a week. Other risks include infection of the placenta and umbilical cord compression. Symptoms include leaking fluid from the vagina. Diagnosis involves testing the fluid's pH, looking at it under a microscope, and ultrasound. Treatment may include hospitalization, monitoring for infection, corticosteroids to mature the baby's lungs, antibiotics, stopping preterm

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    Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs when the amniotic sac breaks before labor begins, often due to infection. PROM complicates about 10% of pregnancies, while preterm PROM (before 37 weeks) occurs in 2% of pregnancies. A significant risk of PPROM is that the baby will likely be delivered within a week. Other risks include infection of the placenta and umbilical cord compression. Symptoms include leaking fluid from the vagina. Diagnosis involves testing the fluid's pH, looking at it under a microscope, and ultrasound. Treatment may include hospitalization, monitoring for infection, corticosteroids to mature the baby's lungs, antibiotics, stopping preterm

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    919 views3 pages

    High-Risk Pregnancy Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)

    Uploaded by

    elimcangco
    Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs when the amniotic sac breaks before labor begins, often due to infection. PROM complicates about 10% of pregnancies, while preterm PROM (before 37 weeks) occurs in 2% of pregnancies. A significant risk of PPROM is that the baby will likely be delivered within a week. Other risks include infection of the placenta and umbilical cord compression. Symptoms include leaking fluid from the vagina. Diagnosis involves testing the fluid's pH, looking at it under a microscope, and ultrasound. Treatment may include hospitalization, monitoring for infection, corticosteroids to mature the baby's lungs, antibiotics, stopping preterm

    Copyright:

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    High-Risk Pregnancy

    Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM) / Preterm


    Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM)
    What is premature rupture of membranes?
    Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a rupture (breaking open) of the membranes
    (amniotic sac) before labor begins. If PROM occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it is called
    preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).
    PROM occurs in about 10 percent of all pregnancies. PPROM (before 37 weeks) occurs in about
    2 percent of all pregnancies.
    What causes premature rupture of membranes?
    Rupture of the membranes near the end of pregnancy (term) may be caused by a natural
    weakening of the membranes or from the force of contractions. Before term, PPROM is often
    due to an infection in the uterus. Other factors that may be linked to PROM include the
    following:
    • low socioeconomic conditions (as women in lower socioeconomic conditions are less
    likely to receive proper prenatal care)

    • sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea

    • previous preterm birth

    • vaginal bleeding

    • cigarette smoking during pregnancy

    • unknown causes
    Why is premature rupture of membranes a concern?
    PROM is a complicating factor in as many as one third of premature births. A significant risk of
    PPROM is that the baby is very likely to be born within one week of the membrane rupture.
    Another major risk of PROM is development of a serious infection of the placental tissues called
    chorioamnionitis, which can be very dangerous for mother and baby. Other complications that
    may occur with PROM include placental abruption (early detachment of the placenta from the
    uterus), compression of the umbilical cord, cesarean birth, and postpartum (after delivery)
    infection.
    What are the symptoms of PROM?
    The following are the most common symptoms of PROM. However, each woman may
    experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
    • leaking or a gush of watery fluid from the vagina
    • constant wetness in panties
    If you notice any symptoms of PROM, be sure to call your physician as soon as possible. The
    symptoms of PROM may resemble other medical conditions. Consult your physician for a
    diagnosis.
    How is premature rupture of membranes diagnosed?
    In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, PROM may be diagnosed in
    several ways, including the following:
    • an examination of the cervix (may show fluid leaking from the cervical opening)

    • testing of the pH (acid or alkaline) of the fluid

    • looking at the dried fluid under a microscope (may show a characteristic fern-like
    pattern)

    • ultrasound - a diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and
    a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds are used to
    view internal organs as they function, and to assess blood flow through various vessels.
    Treatment for premature rupture of membranes:
    Specific treatment for PROM will be determined by your physician based on:
    • your pregnancy, overall health, and medical history
    • extent of the condition
    • your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
    • expectations for the course of the condition
    • your opinion or preference
    Treatment for premature rupture of membranes may include:
    • hospitalization

    • expectant management (in some cases of PPROM, the membranes may seal over and the
    fluid may stop leaking without treatment)

    • monitoring for signs of infection such as fever, pain, increased fetal heart rate, and/or
    laboratory tests

    • giving the mother medications called corticosteroids that may help mature the lungs of
    the fetus (lung immaturity is a major problem of premature babies). However,
    corticosteroids may mask an infection in the uterus.

    • antibiotics (to prevent or treat infections)

    • tocolytics - medications used to stop preterm labor.

    • delivery (if PROM endangers the well-being of the mother or fetus, then an early delivery
    may be necessary to prevent further complications)
    Prevention of premature rupture of membranes:
    Unfortunately, there is no way to actively prevent PROM. However, this condition does have a
    strong link with cigarette smoking and mothers should stop smoking as soon as possible.

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