Rupture of membranes

Rupture of membranes (ROM) or amniorrhexis is a term used during pregnancy to describe a rupture of the amniotic sac.^[1] Normally, or "spontaneously",^[2] it occurs at full term at the onset of, or during, labor. This is colloquially known as "breaking water." A premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a rupture that occurs prior to the onset of labor.

Effects

When the amniotic sac breaks or ruptures, production of the hormone prostaglandin increases, speeding up contractions.^[3]

Types

• SROM = spontaneous rupture of membranes. SROM ("the waters go") is when the membranes rupture at full term. The rupture is usually at the bottom of the uterus, over the cervix, causing a gush of fluid. This gush may be quite small (such as 50ml), or it can be significantly large (200-300ml) depending upon amount of fluid in the amniotic sac, and to what extent the fetal head is plugging the hole and retaining fluid in the sac.^[2]

• PROM = prelabor or premature rupture of membranes
  • PPROM = preterm, premature rupture of membranes

• AROM = artificial rupture of membranes. AROM can be used for labor induction.

References

1. ^ "amniorrhexis" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
2. ^ ^{a b} kiwifamilies.co.nz > Birth > Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes By Paula Skelton, midwife
3. ^ American Pregnancy Association > Inducing Labor Last Updated: 01/2007

External links

• Merck Manual: Premature rupture of membranes
• Amnisure.com