What causes rupture of membranes before the time?

Medical Video: Ruptured Membranes

The amniotic sac will usually break before you give birth. This can be a sign that your body is ready to give birth. However, some mothers have experience of rupturing the amniotic sac prematurely. Well, what can cause it?

What is the amniotic sac?

The amniotic sac contains amniotic water that surrounds the baby in the uterus during pregnancy. This amniotic water serves to protect babies from various infections that can enter through the vagina and also protect the baby from external pressure. In addition, amniotic fluid also allows the baby to move in the womb.

You need to know that the amniotic sac has two layers, namely:

The outer layer is called chorion. Chorion consists of collagen, whose amount will decrease with increasing gestational age. This is what causes chorion to become weaker when it enters the time of birth.
An inner layer called amnion.

These two layers make the amniotic sac very strong and elastic. It takes a lot of pressure to break the amniotic sac. Normally, the amniotic sac ruptures shortly before the time of birth.

What causes the amniotic sac to rupture?

The amniotic sac normally ruptures just before the baby is born. This is usually caused by a baby who naturally moves towards the birth canal. The pressure produced by the movement of this baby can then cause the amniotic sac to rupture.

In addition, the amniotic sac rupture is also triggered by the body. Actually your body knows when it's right when your amniotic fluid breaks. The body will trigger the membranes to tear, so that the amniotic fluid will come out and the birth process will begin immediately.

If your labor is helped by induction, your doctor may help tear your membranes so that your amniotic sac breaks. This is done to help the labor process.

However, some things can also trigger the amniotic sac to rupture prematurely.

The amniotic sac ruptures at 37-42 weeks' gestation

The amniotic sac can rupture about 24 hours before you start normal labor, at 37-42 weeks' gestation, or referred to as premature rupture of membrane (PROM). PROM usually only occurs in about 10% of pregnant women. PROM can be triggered by various things, such as:

Stress or pressure caused by a large baby
Early activation of enzymes in membranes
Braxton Hicks contractions before labor
Twin pregnancy
Infection of the cervix, vagina, or uterus
Polyhydramnios, or too much fluid in the amniotic sac

The amniotic sac ruptures before 37 weeks' gestation

The amniotic sac that ruptures before 37 weeks' gestation is usually called premature rupture of the membranes (KPD) or it can also be called preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM). Early rupture of the amniotic sac usually causes preterm birth (about ¼ of all preterm births). Babies must be removed as quickly as possible because the baby no longer has protection against infection.

Several factors can trigger premature rupture of the membranes, namely:

Inflammation or infection of the membranes
Early activation of enzymes in membranes
The amniotic sac contains more than one baby
Infection of the cervix, vagina, or uterus
The cervix (cervix) is injured or weakened
Have had a biopsy in the cervix
History of preterm birth
Low levels of collagen in the amniotic sac tissue
Vaginal bleeding occurs for more than one trimester
Too much volume of fluid in the amniotic sac
Babies in breech position
Have done amniocentesis early in pregnancy
Doing strenuous exercise or putting too much pressure on the body
Smoke
Poor diet and nutrition
Lack of copper, vitamin C, or zinc nutrients

Then, what should I do when the membranes rupture?

All you have to do, of course, immediately consult your doctor. You will usually feel contractions after the amniotic sac has ruptured. The doctor will then consider what to do with you.

If your amniotic sac breaks 3 weeks or more before the day of birth, maybe the doctor will try to prevent you from having an immediate delivery, if your baby is too premature. Then, you will be examined to make sure there are no infections in your uterus. The doctor may also give antibiotics to prevent infection and help extend your pregnancy, as long as this is safe for you and your future baby.

If the amniotic sac is ruptured within 3 weeks before the day of birth, your doctor will wait for your body to trigger your own labor or may induce your labor immediately. Damage to the amniotic sac will be a consideration because the longer the amniotic sac is damaged, the greater the chance the baby will get an infection.