In plain words
Prelabor rupture of membranes is when the bag of waters breaks before labor begins. Most women feel a gush or a steady trickle of clear fluid. At term, it happens in about 8 percent of pregnancies, usually followed by labor within a day. Most mothers go into labor on their own. The main concern is infection, because the baby and the mother are no longer protected by the membranes. Your provider will check whether the fluid is amniotic fluid and how the baby is doing. If the waters break and labor does not start, providers may talk about . Call your provider or go to the hospital the same day if your waters break, especially if the fluid is green or brown, or if you have fever, a fast heartbeat, or less baby movement.
The deeper version
Prelabor rupture of membranes is defined as rupture of the fetal membranes before the onset of labor, with term PROM occurring in about 8 percent of pregnancies. Diagnosis uses speculum examination, pooling, nitrazine, and ferning, with ultrasound for amniotic fluid assessment. ACOG Practice Bulletin 217 (2020) describes latency management at term, including expectant care with monitoring for , and discusses induction as an option after a period of expectant management. Risks include intrauterine infection, , and . The main controversy concerns the optimal latency interval at term, and whether a fixed induction timeline is better than expectant management under a monitored protocol.
Where it comes up
- When your water breaksGetting Ready for Birth
- Signs labor is startingGetting Ready for Birth
- Induction: why, how, and what to askGetting Ready for Birth
- Short cervix and signs of preterm laborPregnancy: Your Body
- Sex during pregnancyPregnancy: Your Body
What mothers here say about prelabor rupture of membranes
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Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Practice Bulletin 217: Prelabor Rupture of Membranes (2020)