Premature rupture of membranes: what to expect

Premature rupture of membranes

The amniotic sac is made up of membranes of tissue, inside, is amniotic fluid, an essential substance for your baby to grow and develop properly. During the approximate 40 weeks that the pregnancy lasts, this sac becomes a perfect ecosystem for the fetus to receive all the nutrients and protection it needs.

When the amniotic sac ruptures, the fluid is no longer protected and begins to be expelled, leading to labor. The problem is that membranes rupture prematurely and amniotic fluid begins to leak before the pregnancy reaches term and the baby can be born fully prepared. Depending on the week of gestation in which the expectant mother is, premature rupture of membranes can be more or less serious.

Premature rupture of membranes, is it serious?

Once the membranes rupture, the most common is that the pregnant woman goes into labor, that is, the process of the delivery. If this happens too soon, the consequences can be very negative for both the expectant mother and the baby. Since a premature birth, it can seriously compromise the health of the child as it is not yet ready to survive outside the mother's womb.

When the rupture of the amniotic sac occurs before week 37, considered to be a premature preterm rupture of membranes. Depending on the week in which this happens, different techniques will be carried out to try to keep the amniotic sac for as long as possible. In this way, the baby can continue to grow in the womb to form and prepare as best as possible for life outside.

Causes of premature rupture of membranes

The risks of smoking in pregnancy

The amniotic sac can rupture for different reasons, although the exact cause may not be determined in each case. However, there are several risk factors for this fact. Knowing them will help you avoid as much as possible an advance of your labor prematurely.

These are some of the most frequent causes of premature rupture of membranes:

  • An infection in the cervix, in the uterus itself or in the vagina, can cause damage to the amniotic membrane
  • Smoking during pregnancy. The tobacco It is the cause of many complications during pregnancy, as well as being extremely dangerous for the baby's health. If you are a smoker, avoid this harmful habit as much as possible, if you have problems quitting, do not hesitate to ask your doctor for help.
  • A multiple pregnancy. Pregnant women with more than one fetus are at higher risk of premature rupture of the membranes. The movements of more than one baby are the cause of the amniotic sac breaking before the pregnancy reaches term.
  • Different medical tests. If during pregnancy you have to undergo a test such as a cervical biopsy or surgery, it is possible that the membranes suffer damage and premature rupture occurs.
  • Previous cases of premature rupture of membranes. Women who suffered from this situation in previous pregnancies are at greater risk of having it again.

What to expect

premature birth

If you are pregnant and start to lose amniotic fluid, you may have suffered a ruptured membranes. In this link you will find help for know if you are going through this situation.

Do you want to know what can happen in this case?


  • If breakage occurs between weeks 34 and 37 of your pregnancy, most likely labor will be induced. This is safer for your baby than waiting longer, as it could lead to infections and other complications.
  • In the event that before week 34, the consequences may be more serious. In this case, the safest thing is to try to delay the time of delivery, with different techniques that your doctor will decide if necessary.

In any case, in most pregnancies in which there is a rupture of the membranes before term, delivery occurs normally and without any complications.


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