When a person is pregnant, the fetus is surrounded by a thin-walled sac that protects them, called the amniotic sac. It is filled with amniotic fluid, which protects the fetus from external pressure and helps regulate body temperature. In movies, when you hear ‘my water broke,’ the amniotic fluid has been released, meaning the person is in labor.
Even though the amniotic sac is thin, it does not rupture easily. In case it does before the baby is due, complications related to premature rupture of membranes may arise. This blog explores Premature Rupture of the Membranes (PROM) and Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes (PPROM) and the complications they may cause.
What is Premature Rupture of the Membranes (PROM)
Premature rupture of the membrane is when a person’s amniotic sac ruptures after 37 weeks before they are in labor. Once the amniotic fluid is released, the fetus is no longer protected during contractions. Though PROM can occur naturally, complications may arise if labor does not follow soon.
What is Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes (PPROM)
Preterm premature rupture of membrane is when a person’s amniotic sac ruptures before 37 weeks of pregnancy. As the amniotic fluid is crucial, a medical professional must assess if the expecting individual should deliver the baby or delay labor. While delivering the baby may cause premature birth complications, delaying labor can also cause complications.
The main difference between PROM and PPROM is that PROM is a rupture of the amniotic sac after 37 weeks, and PPROM is when it ruptures before 37 weeks.
Causes and Symptoms of PROM and PPROM
Though a significant number of people have experienced PROM or PPROM, all the reasons that lead to PROM and PPROM have not yet been discovered. Let’s look at some contributing factors of PROM and PPROM:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other infections may lead to PROM and PPROM.
- If a person experiences bleeding during their pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, the risk of PROM and PPROM is higher.
- A person with a history of PROM and PPROM, they are likely to experience it again.
- Smoking during pregnancy increases the chances of PROM and PPROM.
- Poor prenatal care increases the possibility of PROM and PPROM.
An obvious symptom of PROM and PPROM is fluid discharge. This can occur as a gush or even trickling of the fluid. As this is not a voluntary release, the pregnant individual will not be able to hold it in.
Complications of PROM and PPROM
Let’s look at some common complications that may arise in cases of PROM and PPROM.
Premature Birth
One of the most common results of PROM and PPROM is premature birth. Premature birth is when an infant is born before the completion of the gestational term. If an infant is born before 37 weeks, it is likely that they are not fully developed, increasing the risk of complications.
Chorioamnionitis
The premature rupture of the amniotic sac can cause complications such as chorioamnionitis. It is caused by bacteria which is commonly found in the vagina, and when the sac is ruptured way before birth, the bacteria makes its way to the uterus. This can pose a serious threat to the fetus and the carrying individual.
Umbilical Cord Prolapse
Umbilical cord prolapse is when the umbilical cord connecting the carrying individual and the infant drops from its normal position. In such cases, the umbilical cord drops through the cervix before the infant, which might cause the cord to get squished. This squishing cuts off the oxygen transfer to the infant, causing further damage.
Placental Abruption
When the amniotic fluid is released from the sac, it increases the tension between the sac and the uterine wall. This increase in tension may lead to placental abruption, a condition where the placenta partially or completely separates from the uterine wall. The separation of the placenta from the uterine wall will decrease or completely cut off the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus.
